Voting for the 2022 Drumeo Awards is now closed. Thanks for participating and supporting your favorite drummers! The winners will be announced on our YouTube channel during the awards show livestream on January 27, 2023.
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We need your help deciding who to highlight in each of the 15 categories. And rather than just listing the nominees’ names, we’ve included a quick writeup about each person – because it wouldn’t be fair to ask for your vote otherwise.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Winners will be announced during the awards show live stream on January 27, 2023.
Between recording, gigging and teaching, drummers did incredible things this year.
They wrote timeless rhythms and released books. They inspired people with their passion.
From the garage player to the Grammy Award-winning pro, everyone deserves recognition for their hard work and impact. We polled the drumming community and worked through dozens of names with an internal panel of drummers to come up with the list below.
This award will go to a drummer who checked all the boxes with recording projects, live/video events, online presence, and all-around excellence in their contributions to music.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Drummer Of The Year nominee
Jazz drummer Mark Guiliana stepped it up even further this year, releasing two new albums, touring with his band and drumming with St. Vincent, while somehow finding time to host clinics and more in between.
Drummer Of The Year nominee
On top of two new studio albums, a Grammy nomination and touring with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chad worked on sessions for Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop and more.
Drummer Of The Year nominee
Always a busy educator, this year Benny released a new course and sample pack, performed at drum camps, festivals and PASIC, and even appeared on Seth Meyers.
Drummer Of The Year nominee
The Vital Information drummer was featured in a new “Legends” book with Modern Drummer, taught/performed at Drum Fantasy Camp, released courses with Drumeo and gigged constantly. He played with five different groups during a five-week residency at Birdland – a rare occurrence at the legendary NYC jazz club.
Drummer Of The Year nominee
From Styx tours and clinics to sample/groove pack releases, a new album with his project Alta Forma and a Drumeo show, Todd Sucherman is known for never slowing down.
The winner of this award will have had a busy, impactful year primarily in the rock genre.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Rock Drummer Of The Year nominee
With a new Korn album, big tours and the cover of Batterie Magazine, Ray Luzier has had a solid 2022.
Rock Drummer Of The Year nominee
Rook’s year consisted of sold-out tours and a Hulu documentary with Machine Gun Kelly, a performance at the Billboard Music Awards, a feature on a new track with SK8, nightclub performances and more.
Rock Drummer Of The Year nominee
Daniel had a huge year touring with Turnstile, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon, and receiving several Grammy nominations.
Rock Drummer Of The Year nominee
Between working with The Offspring, 100 gecs, Danny Elfman, Devo, The Dwarves and more, Josh had his hands full in 2022.
Rock Drummer Of The Year nominee
Travis never slows down. In 2022, he worked on the new Avril Lavigne, Machine Gun Kelly and Ho99o9 albums, drummed on tracks with K. Flay and Iann Dior, and racked up a ton of producing credits.
The winner of this award will have had a busy, impactful year primarily in the metal genre.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Metal Drummer Of The Year nominee
Tomas came back strong with a new Meshuggah album and major tours a year after not playing drums due to a hand condition.
Metal Drummer Of The Year nominee
With a new Stray From The Path album, his own podcast, tours and a spot sitting in with Seth Meyers’ 8G band, Craig has been on fire this year.
Metal Drummer Of The Year nominee
Eloy has had a busy year touring with Sepultura, teaching, and contributing his insane skills to prog project Casagrande & Hanysz and rock band Scalene.
Metal Drummer Of The Year nominee
Lorna Shore blew up in 2022 with a highly acclaimed new album and sold out headlining tours. Austin is a drummer to be reckoned with.
Metal Drummer Of The Year nominee
The Lamb Of God drummer is on the top of his game with a new album, relentless touring, and a sit-in with the 8G Band on Seth Meyers.
The winner of this award will have had a busy, impactful year primarily in the progressive rock or progressive metal style.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Prog Drummer Of The Year nominee
The Animals As Leaders drummer is flying high with a new album, tours, giving back at drum camps, a new podcast and more.
Prog Drummer Of The Year nominee
Gavin’s 2022 consisted of a Modern Drummer cover, new albums and tours with Porcupine Tree and The Pineapple Thief, a new ear training app and more.
Prog Drummer Of The Year nominee
From big tours with Tool to club gigs on the side, Danny Carey is still at the top of his game.
Prog Drummer Of The Year nominee
A new Polyphia album and packed tour dates kept Clay busy in 2022.
Prog Drummer Of The Year nominee
On top of crushing it on Genesis’ final tour, Nic released singles and toured with his band Better Strangers, also appearing in the documentary “Let There Be Drums”.
The winner of this award will have had a busy, impactful year primarily in the jazz genre.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Jazz Drummer Of The Year nominee
Only 19 years old, JD Beck is on fire with a new #1 contemporary jazz album (nominated for two Grammys!), appearances on Jimmy Kimmel and The Tonight Show, tour dates and more.
Jazz Drummer Of The Year nominee
Jonathan released a solo album, drummed onstage and in studio with artists like Gretchen Parlato and Julieta Eugenio, performed at PASIC, and drummed on a new HBOMax movie soundtrack.
Jazz Drummer Of The Year nominee
Allison’s year consisted of jazz fest appearances, tour dates and gigs (including a Birdland residency), jazz camp and teaching, multiple album releases, a PASIC clinic, inclusion in a new Hudson Music publication – and that’s just scratching the surface.
Jazz Drummer Of The Year nominee
Terri Lyne released several albums this year as well as a new lead sheet compilation with Hudson Music, appeared at some prominent gigs, and is ending 2022 with two Grammy nominations.
Jazz Drummer Of The Year nominee
Mark Guiliana had a busy year releasing two new albums, touring with his band and drumming with St. Vincent, while somehow finding time to host clinics and more in between.
The winner of this award will have had a busy, impactful year primarily in the contemporary/fusion genres.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Contemporary Drummer nominee
Antonio’s 2022 included a new album, covers with Modern Drummer and Jazz Times, tours and festival appearances (Pat Metheny/Bad Hombre/Thana Alexa and more), creating scores for HBO shows, speaking engagements and more.
Contemporary Drummer nominee
A huge year of touring and jazz festivals, a new live album and studio sessions kept Yussef’s schedule full.
Contemporary Drummer nominee
Anika is back on the scene with a new EP, tours with Jeff Beck, teaching and more.
Contemporary Drummer nominee
From new albums (Protocol 5/Vortex) to gigs, Drum Fantasy Camp and drum festival appearances, Simon Phillips had a full schedule in 2022.
Contemporary Drummer nominee
Tours with Sabrina Claudio, gigs with Wires and jazz fest appearances kept Andy busy this year.
The winner of this award will have had a busy, impactful year primarily in the country genre.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Country Drummer Of The Year nominee
This year you could find Jake Sommers manning the kit on stadium tours with Luke Combs (including a gig at the Daytona 500).
Country Drummer Of The Year nominee
Multiple TV appearances, tours with Jon Pardi, a PASIC performance and masterclasses kept Kevin active this year.
Country Drummer Of The Year nominee
On top of his regular gig touring with Jason Aldean, Rich released two groove/sample packs, recorded with John Morgan, and wrote a book “Making It In Country Music”.
Country Drummer Of The Year nominee
Rascal Flatts’ drummer stayed busy touring with Gary LeVox’s solo project, teaching drum students privately and in his college course, recording with artists like Andy Wood, and drumming in the house band of a new MTV show (out in 2023).
Country Drummer Of The Year nominee
Fred drummed on multiple Grammy-nominated albums this year including Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert and Ashley McBryde. Gigs with Sheryl Crow, a Seth Meyers sit-in, an appearance on a Billy Joe Shaver tribute album, and a single for The One Eighties are just a few of his other 2022 highlights.
The winner of this award will have had a busy, impactful year primarily in the pop genre.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Pop Drummer Of The Year nominee
Ash toured with Tori Amos and Joss Stone this year, hosted recording camps and performed at festivals with Terry Reid. He made the cover of Modern Drummer, drummed on the Pennyworth soundtrack, and recorded with artists like Alicia Keys, Julian Lennon, Del Amitri, Alan Darby, Ariel Posen, Marc Almond, James Morrison, Ghost Note, and a Bob Marley re-release.
Pop Drummer Of The Year nominee
Sarah’s year consisted of tours with Harry Styles (including ‘residencies’ at legendary venues like Madison Square Garden), percussion credits on Harry Styles’ new Grammy-nominated album, recordings with Kurt Vile, and recording her debut album with project Technology + Teamwork.
Pop Drummer Of The Year nominee
Kaz lent his drumming talents to live tours with Josh Groban, drum festival appearances, clinics and more.
Pop Drummer Of The Year nominee
Aaron had a busy 2022: John Mayer tours, a new Tears For Fears album, a new sample pack, tracks with Carrie Underwood and Pink, clinics and more.
Pop Drummer Of The Year nominee
A new album with 5 Seconds Of Summer, huge tours, and an appearance on Seth Meyers were just a few highlights from Ashton’s year.
The winner of this award will have had a busy, impactful year primarily in the R&B or hip-hop genres.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
R&B/Hip-Hop Drummer Of The Year nominee
Between working with Justin Bieber and Mary J Blige, a BET awards performance and recording sessions, Devon was on fire this year.
R&B/Hip-Hop Drummer Of The Year nominee
Ricky killed it on this year’s stadium tours with The Weeknd.
R&B/Hip-Hop Drummer Of The Year nominee
Giulliana’s 2022 included huge tours with Karol G, a Modern Drummer cover, a sit-in with Seth Meyers’ 8G band and more.
R&B/Hip-Hop Drummer Of The Year nominee
Mike drummed at several huge events this year (including the Oscars, the Queen’s Jubilee, and the iHeartRadio Music Awards with Charlie Puth and John Legend), toured with Alicia Keys and more.
R&B/Hip-Hop Drummer Of The Year nominee
Rico toured with Kendrick Lamar, performed with Cardi B at the AMAs, threw it down on SNL with Megan Thee Stallion, backed Steve Iacy at Coachella, gigged with 24kGoldn, worked with Rileyy Lanez…the list goes on.
The winner of this award will have had a busy, impactful year primarily in the soul and/or funk genres.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Soul/Funk Drummer Of The Year nominee
A new Lettuce album and a ton of tour dates, gigs with Break Science, Adam Deitch Quartet and an album with BTTRFLY, festival appearances and more kept Adam busy this year.
Soul/Funk Drummer Of The Year nominee
Stanton had an insane year including dates with Les Claypool and Galactic, gigs with Garage A Trois and the Stanton Moore Trio, recording sessions, drum camps, masterclasses, jazz festivals, a new Zildjian crash and tons of online educational content.
Soul/Funk Drummer Of The Year nominee
Big tours with Jan Delay, drum festival appearances and clinics kept Jost’s schedule full.
Soul/Funk Drummer Of The Year nominee
Drumming with Fearless Flyers, Kinfolk, Cory Wong, a tribute album to Leonard Cohen, appearances at jazz fests…Nate Smith had a busy 2022.
Soul/Funk Drummer Of The Year nominee
Stanley’s year included gigs with Steve Lacy, Cory Henry and The BBC, producing and songwriting with various artists, a Lindsey Stirling track and more.
This award goes to a drummer who has built their profile independently, has created a strong online community on YouTube, and is constantly inspiring or entertaining people with their drum videos, playing, and/or personality.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
YouTube Drummer Of The Year nominee
Educational, skilled and hilarious, Samus is a staple in the metal community and knows what drummers find both entertaining and useful. He added 240k new subscribers to his channel in 2022, with a jaw-dropping 38.7M views across 44 brand new videos (the top one earning almost 2M views).
YouTube Drummer Of The Year nominee
Alejandro Sifuentes was the most active YouTuber of this year’s nominees. The skilled drummer and video editor earned over 13 million views on his channel across 49 videos this year.
YouTube Drummer Of The Year nominee
Zack Graybeal (aka “ZackGrooves”) thrills his audience with world-class playing and a wicked sense of humor. Zack released 35 videos in 2022, earning over 11 million views.
YouTube Drummer Of The Year nominee
David Raouf (aka “rDavidr”) is drumming’s Mr. DIY. His channel is full of useful & practical videos to help drummers maintain their gear and create new sounds. With 29 new releases, David’s channel received over 14 million views in 2022.
YouTube Drummer Of The Year nominee
Gabe Helguera (aka “Drum Beats Online”) is an educator and performer in the band I Prevail. Gabe follows a steady release schedule of educational topics, with 27 releases and nearly 13 millions views in 2022.
This award goes to a drummer who has built their profile independently, has created a strong online community on TikTok, and is constantly inspiring or entertaining people with their drum videos, playing, and/or personality.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
TikTok Drummer Of The Year nominee
He’s got skill, he’s got swag, and his drum covers have blown up on TikTok this year.
TikTok Drummer Of The Year nominee
She’s built a huge community around her covers of popular rock songs.
TikTok Drummer Of The Year nominee
The drummer other drummers say is “impossibly good”, he’s built a following on concepts like playing tricky songs one-handed and doing ridiculously difficult stuff on a small setup.
TikTok Drummer Of The Year nominee
This snare drummer dances, does stick tricks, and brings the heat from parks and trails to tennis courts. The energy coming from this guy is contagious!
TikTok Drummer Of The Year nominee
Domino has stayed just as busy on TikTok this year, putting out regular covers of pop songs and drumming outside with other musicians.
This award goes to a drummer who has built their profile independently, has created a strong online community on Instagram, and is constantly inspiring or entertaining people with their drum videos, playing, and/or personality.
Click on each drummer’s photo to learn why they were nominated.
Instagram Drummer Of The Year nominee
An active content creator on the platform, Kristina regularly posts fun covers of popular rock songs.
Instagram Drummer Of The Year nominee
Anastasia is known for her heavy drum covers, precise playing and a killer attitude.
Instagram Drummer Of The Year nominee
Leko is a memorable character, whether he’s building kits from random items or using a snare drum to play tennis.
Instagram Drummer Of The Year nominee
Greyson became known on Instagram for his Big Band and jazz covers, but this year he’s been branching out into rock and other styles.
Instagram Drummer Of The Year nominee
Wojtek loves a good linear pattern, and he has a ton of videos sharing lessons on creative fills and licks.
The winner of this award put on a legendary, must-watch performance (captured on video), either with a full band or solo.
The winner of this award will have played on a single track or a full album that has made an outstanding contribution to their style (or music in general) via the drums.
Click each photo to listen to the nominated song or album.
A very special shoutout to our title sponsor, Yamaha, for helping us put on this year’s Drummer Of The Year Awards. A longtime partner and friend of Drumeo, we can’t thank them enough.
With a rich history of drum-making since 1967, Yamaha is committed to empower people to “Make Waves” with their sound and music. With drum offerings from beginner to some of the most elite craftsmanship found anywhere, Yamaha has long made a promise to providing customers of all ranges drum products that are reliable, value-driven, durable, and high-performing.
Drumeo Team - We're professional, award-winning drummers and drum teachers, coaches, recording artists, and content specialists who are passionate about drums and helping drummers around the world. This post was written and/or edited by Sam Landa, Brandon Toews, Jared Falk, Dave Atkinson, or another pro on our team (which has a combined 1000+ years of drumming experience). Are you looking for inspiration, education, and support to take your playing to the next level? Join the Drumeo community today!
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