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Andrew Hewitt is becoming one of the most talked about drummers in the Australian and International Drumming Communities.

Andrew was born with Cerebral Palsy, which affects movement in his arms and legs, and restricts him to walking on crutches.

Despite this, Andrew has over the past 17 years worked successfully as a Performing Artist, Clinician, Motivational Speaker and Drum Educator.

It all started when Andrew’s parents bought him a drum kit at the age of 10 thinking it would be a great form of physical exercise for him.

After 27 years, Andrew is still hard at it.


Dulwich Hill Street Fair, December 2006
He has performed in various bands in North West Tasmania, Melbourne and Sydney since 1989.

His big break came in April 2004 when he was introduced to the world in Modern Drummer magazine’s On The Move section. This was indeed a huge honour for Andrew, as only a handful of Australian drummers have had the privilege of gracing the pages of Modern Drummer. He has since had an update in the News section in June 2005’s issue of Modern Drummer.

He has also been regularly featured in such magazines as DRUM! Link Disability, and Australia’s drum magazine, Drumscene. He has also had various articles in newspapers across Australia.

Raven Drum Foundation named Andrew Hewitt “Spirit of the Month” in April 2004, which is an organisation in the USA run by the one-armed drummer Rick Allen from rock band Def Leppard. This was also a huge honour for Andrew, as Rick had been his biggest inspiration for many years.
Raven Drum Foundation Spirit of the Month - April 2004

April 2004

Raven Drum Foundations' Spirit of the Month Andrew Hewitt, a drummer with Cerebral Palsy, has lived his life and pursued his dreams in a manner that inspires all who meet him.

For more information Click here
In March 2004, Andrew held a drum workshop for kids at the Spastic Centre of NSW at Allambie Heights on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Andrew also performed at the Sydney Opera House in August 2004, with Melbourne band BiPolar Bears with very special guest guitarist, Ross Hannaford of Daddy Cool fame, and held a clinic in-between competition categories at the 14th annual Billy Hyde Drummer Playoff finals at the Australian Institute of Music.

He also held a drum clinic at Erina on the NSW Central Coast for International Day for People With a Disability in December.
During 2005, Andrew has performed and lectured at various conferences around Australia, including the Novita Tech Fest ’05 and the Australian Cerebral Palsy Association National Conference in Adelaide in March, Leaders of Special Education NSW conference at Parramatta in June, and Social Worker in Disabilities conference in Sydney in September.

He also performed at a Club Wild event at Bankstown for Powerhouse Youth Theatre with band Party Central.

In October 2005, Monique Wright from Channel 7’s Sunrise program interviewed Andrew for her “Everyday People” segment. He also performed on the Channel 10 News Sydney weather report with Tim Bailey on the steps of the Sydney Opera House promoting up-coming Club Wild shows and the International Day for People with a Disability.
ACPA Conference, Adelaide Hilton, March 2005

Club Wild, Bankstown, September 2005		 In November 2005, Andrew was invited to participate in African Drum workshops held in Melbourne by Club Wild and their International Guest Sidiki Conde. This also ended with a performance at a Club Wild Dance Party at North Melbourne Town Hall. Then he flew back to Sydney to perform at the Sydney Opera House with band BiPolar Bears on the 2nd and 3rd December.

Andrew has had various teachers over the years such as Scott Bird, Ashley Davies, Tubby Wadsworth, Bruce Stephens, and Chris Brien, who have all gone that extra mile to help him achieve his goals.

Alternatives in Music Video Shoot, Sydney, January 2005		 Apart from doing band gigs, Andrew runs a workshop program, which he has named “Drums in Motion”. These workshops are aimed at people with physical challenges. Andrew tailors each workshop to the needs of the people attending, some may not be able to use conventional drumsticks or some may only be able to use one hand, either way he makes sure everyone can be involved.

In February 2006, Andrew held workshops in Adelaide at a camp for kids with severe physical and communication disabilities for Novita Children’s Services.
In December 2006, Andrew did 3 performances for International Day for People with a disability. Those being: Club Wild at Campbelltown Arts Centre (with Bipolar Bears), Dulwich Hill Street Fair and he spoke and performed at “Celebrating Participation” at Parramatta’s Church Street Mall.

Andrew also had a major feature article in Australia’s drum magazine, Drumscene. In February 2007. Andrew has had his debut DVD released by US organisation Alternatives In Music. The DVD is a documentary about Andrew and his drumming achievements. It was filmed in January 2005 in store at Billy Hydes Drumcraft in Sydney, and also features clips from various live performances Andrew has done.

The DVD is avalable for purchase at the Online Store.

In March 2007, Andrew performed at a drum circle for Drum Café Australia which involved 12 teenagers with Cerebral Palsy and their mentors.
Recently, Andrew completed regular drum workshop sessions for adults with various disabilities at Miroma, a day activity centre in Vaucluse, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. He takes a group of 14-20 people for 1 hour a week and teaches them about drums and percussion.

In May 2007, Andrew presented and performed at the CP Australia Conference at Jupiter's Casino on the Gold Coast.

In October 2007, Andrew presented his ideas for working with people with disabilities at the Australian Music Therapy Association Conference at the Melbourne Town Hall. This performance included a unique drum solo played with toilet brushes. A video of the solo can be found Here

2007 ended for Andrew with performances at the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick as part of their CP Education Day, and a performance at Northcott Disability Services at Parramatta for their International Day for People with a Disability event.

Andrew's first DVD "Alternatives In Music presents Andrew Hewitt" received a huge 3 stars out of 5 in UK Rhythm magazine's December 2007 issue.

Sydney Childrens Hospital, Randwick, November 2007


High Beam Global - Adelaide Fringe Festival, Adelaide, March 2008
In March 2008, Andrew performed 5 solo performances and drum workshops at High Beam Global 2008, part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival which features all artists with disabilities.

Andrew is currently working on his 2nd DVD that he has entitled “Overcoming Challenges”. As the title suggests, it will be a drum tutorial/motivational DVD aimed at drummers who have challenges they face in their lives.

He recently became a member of Vic Firth’s PDT program after A&R people from Vic Firth USA contacted him on a recommendation from Dom Famularo.
Equipment

Drums: DW Pacific CX in Blue Onyx Finish (except where noted)		 Setup

Andrew Hewitt proudly endorses
DW Drums Zildjian Cymbals Vic Firth Drumsticks






Kit diagram courtesy of Rob at www.handidrummed.com
A 22x18 Bass Drum
B Sonor 10x5 Maple Snare in Orange Sunburst
C 14x5 Maple Snare
Ludwig 1997 14x6.5 Black Beauty Snare
Ludwig 1966 14x5 Supraphonic Snare
D 10x8 "Kick" Tom
(triggered as a bass drum)
E 12x9 Tom
F 14x12 Floor Tom
G 16x14 Floor Tom
H Roland TD-8 VDrum Module
 
Cymbals: Zildjian
1 14" A Rock Hi-hat
2 16" Z Power Crash
3 17" A Custom Fast Crash
4 20" Crash
5 20" A Medium Ride
6 14" Hi-hat
7 18" Impulse China
 
Hardware & Misc:
I Tama Iron Cobra Lever-Glide Hi-hat Stand
J Pearl RH-2000 Remote Hi-hat Stand
K Tama Iron Cobra Bass Drum Pedal
L Pearl Roadmaster Drum Throne
Drums and Cymbals mounted on Pearl DR-503c Rack
Sticks: Vic Firth 5B & Vic Firth Rute 606 and Vic Firth Mallets



Andrew's playing style is very much based on 70s rock, with a bit of a touch of new groove style rock thrown in for good measure. His influences are as follows:-

Rick Allen (Def Leppard)
John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
Animal (The Muppets)
Carmine Appice
Ian Paice
Phill Rudd (AC/DC)
Buddy Rich
Scott Phillips (Alter Bridge)
Ben Gillies (Silverchair)

Andrew Hewitt has clearly made his mark on the music scene, and will continue to deliver the same level of professionalism and dedication for many years to come.
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