“An author and educator besides a musician, Tim Carman might well qualify as a renaissance man... It is one thing to have command of technique, but quite another to be able to adjust those technical skills for a variety of settings and still retain a distinctive personal touch. ”
Tim Carman is a Nashville-based touring drummer, author, and educator with a deep pocket and soulful touch that have made him a sought-after voice in soul jazz, blues, and roots music. Dubbed the “Shah of shuffles” and “truly a Time Lord” by Jazzwise Magazine, he bridges tradition and modernity with a relentless focus on feel, sound, and song.
Originally from the Boston area, Carman made his name across the Boston and Los Angeles scenes, quickly becoming a go-to sideman for top jazz and blues artists and earning recognition as one of the city’s most accomplished percussionists. His studio work and versatility led to a nomination for Session Musician of the Year from the Boston Music Awards, underscoring his reputation as a drummer who can bring history, feel, and song-first instincts to any session or stage.
From 2018 to 2024, Carman toured internationally and recorded extensively with GA-20, contributing to multiple Billboard-topping blues releases on Colemine/Karma Chief Records and helping the band earn repeated Boston Music Awards for Blues Act of the Year. During this stretch, he honed a sound that blends vintage electric blues grit with a jazz musician’s touch and dynamic control, a combination that continues to define his playing today.
Now based in Nashville, Carman records and tours with Parlor Greens and Canyon Lights while also leading two of his own projects: Tim Carman & The Street 45s, a world-groove-inspired funk outfit, and the organ-driven Tim Carman Trio, whose music sits in the lineage of Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack McDuff, and Grant Green. The Tim Carman Trio has earned multiple nominations for Jazz Act of the Year, reflecting his ongoing connection to the jazz world and his work as a bandleader and composer.
Alongside his recording and touring schedule, Carman maintains an active role as an educator through private lessons, clinics, and online content. Whether working with professionals or emerging players, he emphasizes sound, feel, and musical context—helping drummers connect what they practice in the room to what they play on stage and in the studio.
Instruction/Publications
Along with performing, Tim is a dedicated educator who has released five books: Philly-ISM (2023 via Hudson Music), Haynes-ISM (2022 via Hudson Music), Groove Systems (2021 via Hudson Music), Shape Beats: Drum Notation Simplified (2020), and Shape Beats for Kids (2017 via Alfred Music). Both Philly-ISM and Haynes-ISM were nominated by Modern Drummer for “Educational Product of the Year” in 2024 and 2023 respectively.