paul picard

Paul Picard will be packing and unpacking his LP gear a lot over the next two years, during an upcoming world tour with singer Celine Dion. The band will play concerts across the US, Asia, South Africa, Australia, and Europe.

Picard (who also appears on one track of Dion's CD, Falling Into You) has enjoyed a diversified career as a pop, jazz, and classical percussionist. He recently appeared at the Montreal Jazz Festival with bassist Charlie Haden, and has performed with conductors Arthur Fiedler and Henri Mancini. When he's not on the road, the Montreal-based musician teaches and plays a number of studio and television gigs.

Picard began "banging on things" at age 4, and was seriously playing percussion by age 9. His early influences include drummers Sandy Nelson, Ringo Starr, Ginger Baker, Max Roach, Joe Morello, Elvin Jones, and Philly Joe Jones. At age 18, he entered the Conservatoire de Musique du Quebec, where he studied under classical artist Louis Charbonneau ("the best timpanist on earth"). Later, Picard was influenced by studio percussionists Paulinho Da Costa, Ralph MacDonald, and, especially Don Alias, "who knows how to make a pop song groove."

Picard's first piece of LP gear was a Afuche/Cabasa. He says he relies on the consistent durability of LP instruments: "You play them, you put them in a box, you send them on the road in all kinds of weather, take them out of the box - and they still sound great!"

Equipment list: LP Congas, LP Tito Puente Timbales, LP Bongos, LP Cyclops Tambourines, LP Multi-Guiro, LP Bell Tree, LP Granite Blocks, LP Bar Chimes, LP Vibra-Slap II, LP Afuche/Cabasa, LP Double Piccolo Wood Block, LP SoftShake, LP Pro Triangles, LP Agogo Bells, LP Jingle Sticks, LP Flex-A-Tone, LP Professional Maracas, LP King Klave.