Glen Caruba’s vast understanding of percussive styles and heartfelt musicianship has set him apart from many of today’s players. Growing up in the musical melting pot of Miami, and now a permanent resident in the Nashville scene, has enabled him to share his knowledge in all genres of music.
Glen’s onstage performance is something to be seen as well as heard. His solid feel and driving energy in live situations have earned him opportunities working with such great artists as Jimmy Buffett, Max Carl, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Pat Coil, Robin English, Sara Evans, Steve Forbert, Glenn Frey, Vern Gosdin, Iko-Iko, Jack Jezero, Denny Jiosa, John Jorgensen, Toby Keith, Hal Ketchum, Tom Kimmel, Barry Manilow, The Mavericks, Nashville Chamber Orchestra, K.T. Oslin, Kenny Rodgers, Lionel Richie, Leon Russell, SheDaisy, Dan Seals, Chester Thompson, Pam Tillis, Rick Trevino, Kirk Whalum, Lari White, Maurice Williams, and Trisha Yearwood, amongst many others. In addition, he has performed with Jimmy Buffett in his musical, Don’t Stop the Carnival.
Glen finds himself just as at home in the studio doing studio recording sessions, and received “Runner-Up” for Best Studio Percussionist in DRUM Magazine’s 2005 DRUMMIE Awards. He can be heard on themes for HBO, Land O Lakes, Pepsi Cola and Coors Light Beer, as well as recordings with Jimmy Buffett, Steve Forbert, Trisha Yearwood, Max Carl, Vern Gosdin, Maurice Williams, and “Gold Album” earnings with Sara Evans, Toby Keith, Lari White and The Mavericks. He is also heard on TV jingles and movie soundtracks including American Express, Nintendo, King of the Hill, Cape Fear, Contact, and Hope Floats.
Glen currently has an instructional video called The Contemporary Percussionist and two books, with CDs, called: Afro Cuban Drumming, and Modern Percussion Grooves, (Hal Leonard Publishing) which received “runner-up Best Percussion Method Book” in Drum Magazine’s 1999 “Drummies” Readers’ Poll. He is an active clinician for the Pearl Drum Corporation, and Glen also endorses Pearl Drums & Percussion, Regal Tip drumsticks, Rhythm Tech effects, Zildjian cymbals, Future Sonics Ear Monitors, and Remo drumheads. In 2006 he set a world record for the fastest bare hands in 60 seconds at the “World’s Fastest Drummer” competition in Anaheim, CA.