INTRODUCING THE JUST PERCUSSION TEAM
EXPERIENCE AND PASSION
Tom O'Kelly (Education/Director)
It is hard to know where to begin with the experience that Tom brings to Just Percussion. Being one of Australia’s most distinguished performers and teachers, he has spent over 30 years working as timpanist, percussionist, chamber musician and soloist across Australia, Europe and Asia. Tom shares his expertise and love for all things percussion through teaching at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and sharing his knowledge with music teachers and students across Australia. Tom founded Just Percussion in 2013, and has put his heart and sole into providing an environment that caters for percussionists of all ages, skill levels and styles. The Australian drum and percussion world is extremely fortunate to have someone like Tom, not only for the knowledge and passion he shares without hesitation, but also for the committment he shows providing customers with Australia's best drum and percussion store.
Ben Petzold (Sales Manager) Ben’s passion for drums started when he received his first junior kit at the age of 6. Music such as Feel Good Inc. by the Gorillaz was what first sparked an interest in wanting to learn the drums. Since then he has continuously pursued learning and playing. Over the years he has had multiple teachers specialising in different areas, from whom he was able to gather a broad understanding of different genres. In recent years he has been fortunate enough to learn from Dane Pulverenti, Adrian Keys, Steve Powell, Linus Monsour, Grant Collins, Mitchell Fogarty & Liam Weedle to name a few.. His practical experience sprung off at a young age by getting the opportunity to play a drum solo at a family friend's birthday party.. Performing live has been a passion ever since. Ben was a part of multiple bands throughout his schooling including jazz bands, big bands, rock bands and also a project outside of school called 'A Short Term Effect'. After school, he formed a band called Avyssos, while studying a diploma of audio engineering at JMC Academy. Other bands Ben has played for include Uhkirra, Torizon, Berlok and most recently, Piston Fist. Ben has an unprecedented knowledge of drums, which is a key reason for his success at Just Percussion, along with his ability to find the right solution for any drummer of any level. Ben has been with Just Percussion for 7 years.
Libby Scott (Education/Accounts) Libby Scott is a musician and producer endorsed by DW Drums. She made her national debut placing second in at the Australian Ultimate Drummers’ Weekend before graduating from the prestigious Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music. In addition to her conservatory training, Libby has studied under Shawn Pelton (SNL), Carter McLean and Camille Gainer and Matt Vander Ende. As a session musician, Libby has played alongside Aria-nominated KLP at Brisbane Riverstage, several sold out shows touring with Killer Queens, Peptalk, Bella Amor and Jesswar. With her band Pink Matter, Libby supported The Internet on their national tour, and Mearle & Sigrid Thornton during their Frank & Fearless shows. Pink Matter played Splendour in The Grass 2022 and are set to play VIVD festival in Sydney. Libby is a knowlegable, calm and thorough staff member and plays an integral role in the daily running of the business, Libby has been with Just Percussion for 6 years.
Jasper Gundersen (Sales) Jasper has worked at JP for just over two years and is an integral part of the JP team. He currently plays for First Beige, Golden Vessel and Last Dinosaurs. As a DW endorsee Jasper's current set up is a DW Maple/Mahogany Collectors Kit 10"/12"/16"/22" in Cream Oyster with nickel hardware. His main snare is a Sonor Benny Greb Signature 13"x 5.75" with a Ludwig Acrophonic 14"x 5.5" as a side snare. The cymbal set up is as unique as his personality, starting with 14" Meinl Sand Hat Top paired with a Zildjian Special Dry FX Hat bottom. A Meinl 20" Extra Thin Hammered crash and a 22" Istanbul OM Cindy Blackman Signature Ride make up the main cymbals, also on the set up is the legendary Istanbul clap stack. Jasper is a friendly, and very knowledgable member of the JP team.
Michael Grabbe (Sales) - Michael has been in the brisbane drum retail industry for the past 14 years. He is an integral part of the JP team, passing his long term product and customer service knowledge on to all of those around him. He is a staunch DW Drums player, and can be seen regularly drumming for some of QLD's best coporate bands. He has also had several seats on kit backing original artists through many different genres throughout South-East Qld. Michael is regularly called upon by Brisbane recording studios to do session work, which is a testament to his ability to know what needs to be done, and do it well. Michael teaches drums and percussion for two of the premier schools in the local area, St Joseph's College Terrace and Sheldon College. It is clear from the calibre of his students, Michael has a wealth of knowledge and is very skilled in teaching. Michael has been with Just Percussion for 7 years.
Kaleah Scanlon (Sales) Kaleah is an emerging drummer and percussionist who has been involved in many musical projects over the past six years, including playing for Alex the Astronaut. With Alex, Kaleah has supported artists such as Paul Kelly, Ben Harper, Missy Higgins and Angus and Julia Stone. She has also played at festivals such as Splendour in The Grass and SummerSalt, has been featured on the ABC Show The Sound and completed a 12 date national headline tour. Kaleah’s other projects include Brisbane artist Asha Jefferies, who will be supporting Hope D on tour in March 2023 and has previously supported acts such as Ball Park Music and Matt Corby. Alongside her adventures in the contemporary music scene, Kaleah enjoys performing with ensembles such as Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Brisbane Symphony Orchestra and Australian Youth Orchestra. A recipient of the Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship and runner up in the 2019 and 2020 Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Snare Drum Award, Kaleah recently completed a Bachelor of Music at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Kaleah has been with Just Percussion for 2 Years.
Dean Gordon (Sales) Dean discovered his love for drums at the age of 12 and since 2013, has been playing for ARIA award winning Brisbane band, Sheppard. He has supported artists such as Justin Bieber, Elton John, Keith Urban, Meghan Trainor and Walk The Moon and performed around the world in front of hundreds of thousands of people at music festivals like Rock in Rio, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and Pinkpop. Dean’s extensive experience in live performance and studio work has granted him with the insight and the ability to pass down his knowledge to newcomers and seasoned players in a fun and enthusiastic way. Dean has been with Just Percussion for 5 Years
Wade Viers (Sales) - Wade is the newest member of the JP Team. He started playing drums at the early age of 4 years old and with bands like black flag, nirvana and dinosaur Jr shaping him into the player that he is today. Since 2016 Wade has played in bands right across Australia and recorded tracks for a wide variety of artists such as Plateau, Germinator, and Preloved Things. Wade has toured with The polish club and Brisbane band Verum. Wade is a friendly face and a very knowledgeable team member of the Just Percussion Team.
Andrew Chapman (General Manager) - Andrew has worked in the Qld Music Retail Industry for the past 28 years for some of the largest Retailers seen during that time. He started in sales at the age of 23 and has since gone on to secure management roles in various formats of musical instrument retail. He joined Just Percussion in early 2019, follwing a 5 year stint in Instrument Finance as a National Manger. He brings, experience, and a focus on customer service to Just Percussion, and is loving being back in a family owned business committed to specialising in an offer for drummers and drummers alone.Andrew's playing history is long, being a multi-instrumentalist, and having been in several successful Brisbane based originals bands over the past 33 years. He commented recently.."It's a genuine privilidge to work in an industry that brings loads of happiness to both professional and up and coming musicians." Andrew's goal is to continue expanding the Just Percussion offer for years to come, and to continue leading a team full of passionate, fun and knowledgable staff, in an environment which is a genuine pleasure to walk into every morning.
