"Will Fry's percussion takes my breath away... and invites viewers into what feels like a spiralling maze-like structure of sound."
-Billboard
Bio:
Will Fry is a multi percussionist and session musician based in Peckham, London.
Growing up in Brighton with roots in the UK and India, Will was introduced to a wide variety of musical styles from an early age. He studied with a host of local and international percussionists (orchestral, drum kit, Indian, West African, Latin American...) as well taking lessons on the violin and piano. He found a love for Latin American music and began playing professionally with Snowboy and The Latin Section and Alex Wilson whilst in his late teens.
At twenty years old, Will relocated to London with Son Veneno, a ten-piece band from Australia who had based themselves in Europe. He continued to learn from early performances with Roy Ayers, Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers, Sola Akingbola, Jamiroquai, Mark de Clive Lowe, Nathan Haines, Roberto Pla, Duffy and other influential artists.
Over the next decade, Will performed in over forty countries and took lessons in Cuba, The USA, Brazil and Senegal with many of his favourite percussionists.
Will has worked with Anthony Joseph, Archie Shepp, Baaba Maal, Celeste, Conya Doss, Cubafrobeat, Dele Sosimi, Eliane Correa, Eliel Lazo, Ernesto Simpson, Femi Temowo, Floating Points, Frank McComb, Giovanni Hidalgo, Hikaru Utada, Ill Considered, Jax Jones, Joe Bataan, Juanita Euka, Jungle, Kwame Yeboah, The Latin Bridge, Maite Hontele, Majid Bekkas, Mr Children, Native Dancer, Nostalgia 77, Ola Onabule, The Outlook Orchestra, Roberto Pla, Sahra, Skinshape, Tom Misch, Tony Allen, Vanessa Freeman, The Very Best, Waaju, Wizkid, The Wombats, Yolanda Charles, Z.F.E.X and more.
He has been a band member on a number of West End Shows including Motown The Musical, Burn The Floor and The Lion King, and worked in many of London's prestigious studios on various film and album sessions.
Will plays Gon Bops percussion instruments, uses Protection Racket cases and has his own Kontakt instrument with Rattly and Raw.
"One of the UK's most outstanding and knowledgable percussionists, with technique and feel to die for" - Snowboy
Studio
When the studios closed in the March 2020 lockdown, Will began recording from home.
He has now worked remotely for a number of artists, including Sam Smith, Jungle, Skinshape, Maisha, Nicky Brown, Bryony Jarman Pinto, Juanita Euka, Eliane Correa, Kwame Yeboah, Ben Lamdin, Matt Johnson (Jamiroquai), Marla Kether, Holly Holden, MckNasty, Metro 13 music, A&G Sync... Through Instagram, Will often records for the personal projects of musicians from across the globe.
Known for his musicality, unique sounds and fluid groove, Will’s small flat in Peckham is home to his carefully curated collection of percussion instruments, sourced from travels and tours over the last fifteen years.
The photos below show just some of the many sounds Will has available at every home session.
Contact Will below if you are interested in adding percussion to your music.
Audio and video examples of previous sessions available on Spotify and Instagram:
Teaching
Will has taught in primary schools through to music colleges, including the Royal College of Music. He regularly teaches from home, either in person or on Zoom to students from around the world.
He has taken lessons with many of the great percussionists of our time, including Changuito, Roberto Quintero, George Delgado, Adonis Panter Calderón, Sidiki Dembele and many more...
Will has the experience of playing in groups and for sessions led by some of his favourite UK and European based percussionists, including David Pattman, Sola Akingbola, Ernesto Simpson, Mohammed Guaye, Edwin Sanz, Eliel Lazo and Paul Clarvis, all of whom have influenced both his playing and teaching style.
Will is a passionate teacher and eager to share anything he knows.