Bonito Dryden (aka Bunny)

Bunny's drumming journey began at Hamstead Hall secondary school, where they discovered a natural talent for drums after being inspired by a friend, David McKenzie.

Their first performance was around age 12 at Chapel Street Church of God of Prophecy, playing for the choir, and later at Aberdeen Street. Despite their early start, they didn’t own a drum kit until age 18, initially improvising sticks from bamboo. Their first drum kit was a Pearl Burgundy export, purchased with their mother’s help, followed a year later by a Yamaha 9000 recording custom, acquired with their father’s help, marking “new beginnings.” Other musicians later noted the speaker was “blocked” and “way ahead of [their] time” due to their advanced, self-taught skills.

Feeling overlooked in the church due to favoritism, the speaker secretly explored playing jazz and in clubs at age 18, where they felt more appreciated. After a temporary break, they resumed playing in their late 20s.

A pivotal career phase began in the 1990s (around 1993) when they started playing with Ruby Turner, a gig arranged by Josh McCullough. This led to work with Los Angeles-based songwriter and pianist Howard McCrary, performing UK tours and at Ronnie Scott’s. Through McCrary’s fiancée, they were chosen to tour with Chaka Khan, performing a two-week Japan tour in 1994, despite initial doubts from others.

Their musical influences were broad, starting with Level 42 and encompassing artists like Paul Simon, Stanley Clarke, Dave Grusin, and Yellowjackets. They developed quickly by listening to diverse music, including Japanese imports, and learning by ear, relying heavily on repeatedly slowing down records on a three-speed turntable. Steve Gadd became a significant influence, particularly his “graceful playing” on Stanley Clarke’s “School Days,” which influenced their choice of a black Yamaha kit.

Initially, their focus was on instrumentals and jazz, and they had to consciously learn to hold back their playing to accompany singers. Male vocalists like Dave Copeland and Luther Vandross, and gospel choirs like Hezekiah Walker and Commissioned, helped develop their appreciation for accompanying vocalists and groups. They credit church heroes like Josh McCullough, Alvin Nguyen (bass), and Windell (drums) for their musicality and demeanor. The Japanese band Cassiopeia, especially drummer Akira Jimbo and their album Mint Jams, profoundly influenced their technique and development, alongside drummers like Peter Erskine, Billy Cobham, and Steve Ferrone. Bunny still owns developmental VHS videos from that era.