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Estes, Alan (13th August 1946-Present)

He is a drummer, percussionist and vibraphone player born in the United States.

A sought after session musician he has appeared with artists such as Frank Zappa and his Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra, Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, Carol Bayer Sager, Robbie Dupree, Aaron Neville, Ray Charles, Deniece Williams and Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band as well as featuring on numerous film and television soundtracks.

He has been used as a principal percussionist by composers such as Alan Silvestri, James Newton Howard, John Williams and Randy Newman he has been heard on movies that include Catch Me If You Can, The Big Kahuna, Inside Man, Meert the Fokkers, I Robot, Breakfast of Champions, Bruce Almighty, King Kong, Chronicles of Riddick, Matrix Revolutions, The Muppet Movie, The Color Purple  and Spiderman 2 among others.  His work for television saw him featuring on the original TV soundtrack of The Dukes of Hazzard.

His work in the recording studio as heard him performing on numerous albums that include The Grand Tour by Aaron Neville , White Punks on Dope by The Tubes, Electric Orchestra by the Don Ellis Orchestra, That’s What Friends Are For by Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams , Thankful by Natalie Cole, Another Life, Complete Collection and Then Some… and Showstoppers by Barry Manilow, One Particular Harbour by Jimmy Buffett , Porgy & Bess by Cleo Laine & Ray Charles, Midnight Express by Giorgio Moroder , Lumpy Gravy and The Grand Wazoo by Frank Zappa, 25thAnniversary Edition by KC & The Sunshine Band, Playing Possum by Carly Simon , Donna Summer Anthology by Donna Summer, Rock Me Baby by David Cassidy, Anthology by The Monkees and In My Lifetime by Neil Diamond .

The Burrito Brothers recordings
She’s a Friend of a Friend (John Beland/Gib Guilbeau)

Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams recordings
Emotion (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb)
S CBS 6164B (UK 45)

Giorgio Moroder recordings
Chase (Giorgio Moroder)
Casablanca CAN 144 A (UK 45)
Love’s Theme (Giorgio Moroder)
Casablanca CAN 144 B(UK 45)

Here’s David Cassidy singing “Rock Me Baby” from the album of the same name, which Alan performed on….

Sources:

  1. http://www.zildjian.com/FR-FR/artists/artistDetail.ad2?artistID=1121
  2. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1121016/
  3. http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1094210/a/Grand+Tour.htm
  4. http://www.answers.com/topic/electric-bath?cat=entertainment
  5. http://www.united-mutations.com/e/alan_estes.htm
  6. https://www.discogs.com/artist/271422-Alan-Estes
  7. http://www.buffettnews.com/bandmember93.html