Drums/Percussion

George Thompson
719.574.1231
719.649.0319

George has been playing the drums since age 12 (1983). He received the 1989 Danny Stevenson Memorial Scholarship from the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society, and attended the University of Northern Colorado, performing with artists such as Micheal Brecker and Clark Terry. During the summer of 1992, George was a member of the All American Marching College Show band at Walt Disney World, Florida. After graduation from college, George was a member of the Laughing Calf Jazz Quartet, as an artist in residence at the Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas. During the two year program, he taught individual drum lessons and classes in music theory as well as performed extensively.  George became a member of the Air Force Academy Band in 1995, performing with the Falconaires big band and combo, as well as with the concert band and the marching band. While in the Air Force, he played with many notable musicians including Gary Foster and Sam Pilafian. George returned to civilian life, and he is currently freelancing and teaching private lessons. He is also currently the drummer in the Ken Miller Band, and has performed at the Broadmoor Hotel in the Penrose Room house band since 2000. George has performed and/or recorded with Suzy Bogguss, Maureen McGovern, Nelson Rangell and many more. He has also taken lessons from Zoro, Peter Erksine, Dave Weckl and Ralf Humphrey.

Chris Combs
719.310.4146

Chris Combs is a proud endorser of Pearl Drums and Adams Percussion. He has been teaching percussion lessons at Graner Music since August, 2000. Before that he was an employee of the company with a main focus in the drum department. Chris was a faculty member at The Colorado Springs Conservatory. He was a line instructor at Palmer High School and has done consultations and clinics for Falcon Middle School and Pine Creek High School, as well as private clinics around town including an opening spot for a Graner hosted Zoro Clinic. Chris was a founding faculty member of the Graner sponsored Rock Band Boot Camp, where students learned how to play in a rock band setting culminated by a recital at The Thirsty Parrot. During high school he was first chair in Pine Creek High School Concert, Marching, and Jazz bands, and won several awards. He has received private instruction from John Lindsay, George Thompson and Henrique De Alamedia. He has also taken master classes with Zoro of Lenny Kravitz and Charlie Morgan formerly of Elton John.
Chris has recorded and/or gigged with leer43, Loverleigh, Tango Red Tapestry, The Charlie Milo Trio, and many more. He has shared the stage with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, The Gin Blossoms, Superdrag, Chicago, Leanne Womack, Steriogram, and many more.