ROD OUGHTON
DRUMMER COMPOSER EDUCATOR
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"Oughton has established himself as an important member of the UK Jazz scene as both a player and a writer" - The Jazz Mann
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“Oughton is 100 per cent talented as both drummer and writer” - Jazz Journal
“Oughton is a young London drummer with considerable technical proficiency, and a composer and bandleader of promise” - All About Jazz
Rod Oughton is an English drummer, composer and educator, currently based in London.
He is a prolific bandleader, currently leading Tomorrow's New Quartet, Imperfect Bread, OK Aurora, and Sargento Pimienta. His compostions have been heard on Jazz FM and BBC Radio 3, and his album 'All Together Now!' was named Editor's Choice by Jazzwise Magazine. In 2025, Tomorrow's New Quartet completed a ten date tour of the UK and Ireland, featuring special guest Ben van Gelder.
As a sideman, Oughton plays drums for Hannah Grace, Tom Ridout Quintet, Jana Varga, Saiichi Sugiyama, UFO, Harry Brunt Quartet, Septology, Tina Carr, and Joseph Costi. He has played all over the UK and Europe, as well as in Dubai, Cuba and Brazil. Notable venues include Ronnie Scott’s, the Bimhuis and Cadogan Hall, and notable festivals include Love Supreme, Latitude and BST Hyde Park. He has also performed on London’s West End in the National Theatre show 'Our House'.
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Oughton studied at the Royal Academy of Music (Junior Department), and completed a Bachelor’s degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with 1st Class Honours. He recently completed a Master’s degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, which has included a semester at EMESP Tom Jobim in São Paulo, Brazil. His teachers have included Gregory Hutchinson, Nenê, Jeff Williams, Martin France and James Maddren.
Oughton currently teaches drums at Berkhamsted School and Broxbourne School. He has also lead workshops at Leeds Conservatoire and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has worked as an Associate Educator for NYJO, and has taught the children of Penelope Cruz, Paul Weller and Dido.
Oughton is a D’Addario artist, and endorses Pro-Mark drumsticks and Evans skins, as well as Ludwig Drums and Bosphorus cymbals.
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