"Without music, life would be a mistake."    -Nietzsche

ABOUT TODD BIFFARD

I suffer from relentless curiosity and a complete fascination with the joy of sound. Over the course of my studies I have earned a diploma in Jazz Performance (Humber, Toronto) and a Bachelor of Arts degree (UBC, Vancouver). I have been fortunate to learn from some of Canada’s foremost drummers: Mark Kelso, Aldo Mazza, Bob McLaren, Alan Hetherington, and Paul Delong.

I create music in many genres. My origins as a musician are in the study of jazz. From there I have grown into a thoughtful player who enjoys the challenge of crafting sounds that convey a depth of emotion. Inspirations include Jay Bellerose, Levon Helm, and Elvin Jones. I try to balance my time between commercially viable work and music that is purely creative. My love of minimalism and absurdism draws inspiration from John Zorn, Ornette Coleman, Frank Zappa, John Cage, and Brian Eno.

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.”
   -Antoine de Saint-Exupery

From 2007-2014, I was a member of well-known Vancouver band Maria in the Shower. We toured all over North America, performing more than 600 shows and sharing the stage with artists such as Man Man, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Chali 2na, Tanya Tagaq, Veda Hille, Shane Koyczan, Cadence Weapon, Bernard Adamus, and Geoff Berner. Some of the other folks I have worked with include:

Jaron Freeman-Fox, Hannah Epperson, Rolla Olak, Jeff Gladstone, Steven Charles, Illiteratty, Simon Kendall, James Lamb, CR Avery, Paul Pigat, Ken Whiteley, Fred Penner, Will Stroet, Jess Hill, Veda Hille, Don Amero, Tim Tweedale, David Sinclair, Jeff Younger, Joanna Chapman-Smith, Lindsay May, Marie-Josée Dandeneau, Jen Hodge, Ethan Collister, Zachary Stevenson, Sister Says, The Human Statues, Arctic, Sudanda, Matthew Roberts, 400 Squadron Pipe Band, Toronto Escola de Samba, Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, Kelowna Pipe Band

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible, is music.”    -Aldous Huxley

CONTACT
Email: tbiffard (at) gmail (dot) com

Home Phone: 604-737-9879

VOIP / Text / Cell: 604-343-7179

I am available for performing, recording, composing, touring.
I have experience in a wide range of styles.
I am currently based in Vancouver.
I regularly spend time in Toronto and Kelowna.
I often travel great distances for the pleasure of playing music.

“I would teach children music, physics and philosophy;
but most importantly music, for in the patterns of music
and all the arts are the keys of learning.”    -Plato

TEACHING
I offer lessons to drummers of all ages and abilities. In addition to drumset, I teach Scottish-style rudimental snare drumming.
I travel a great deal throughout Canada, and am available for individual or group lessons wherever I may be. Please inquire.
Visit www.vancouverdrumlessons.com for more information.
If you are a school music teacher, please visit my workshops page for information about in-class education programs.

“Beauty of style and harmony and grace and
good rhythm depend on Simplicity.”    -Plato

CREDITS AND AWARDS

www.toddbiffard.com