Joel Thomas Gettys – Drums with Purpose and Play

I studied with Joel at Southwestern Community College I’m Creston, IA where he was the drum instructor at the time. A characteristic I find most important in drumming and teaching is the ability to listen and respond accordingly. Not «show.» Joel’s incredible ability to do those things showed me an entire world of not only drumming, but all music and a way of life in general.
An extremely versatile drummer, Joel is able to communicate and demonstrate endless amounts of styles from different types of rock, hip hop and funk, and he is also an outstanding jazz player with always the right amount to say at the right time.
After completing my bachelors in music I had the pleasure to come back and work side by side with Joel as a fellow teacher at the community college where he continued to share with me his wisdom and a musical sensitivity that I still carry with me today.
He is not only an excellent teacher, but just about the only drummer I would want to hire for every gig I can think of.
If you need any further information I would be happy to share anything about this fantastic drummer, teacher, and friend.

When I met Joel, he taught drums at the college I was attending in Iowa — SWCC. Fresh out of a prolonged punk rock and Hardcore drumming phase, I told him I wanted to learn how to play dynamically. I didn’t yet know I was being tutored by the most dynamic drummer I may ever play with.
That was in 2009 — and now since having had the opportunity to tour the country with him several times over with our folk group, The River Monks, I have discovered these things about Joel: as a teacher he is mindful — of technique, and of the other person’s abilities and what that student may be trying to achieve from the lesson time. He’ll always be present with you even if that means just talking through some shit (pardon) that’s been blockading your drive to learn and play music with purpose — he is someone I felt comfortable confiding in that way. And Joel will invite you to listen to new music, which is a blessing because Joel has good taste :)