Victim of relentless curiosity, Todd Biffard is a creative and diverse voice on the drumset. A devoted student of his craft, he has a degree in Jazz Performance (Humber College, Toronto) and a Bachelor of Arts degree (University of British Columbia, Vancouver). Todd has studied with some of Canada's foremost drummers, including Mark Kelso, Aldo Mazza, Bob McLaren and Paul Delong.
Performing from a young age, Biffard has nearly 20 years of experience in a wide range of styles. Whether touring Europe with a bagpipe band or playing jazz, samba or Irish folk music in all corners of Canada, he draws on his technical facility, musical intuition, and tremendous listening skills to adapt to any situation.
Currently based in Vancouver, Todd performs throughout Canada with a variety of acts, including vaudeville cabaret revivalists Maria in the Shower. Ambitious and always scheming, he lends his performance and recording talents to funk, folk, pop, African, Celtic, and jazz bands.As a composer Biffard explores the area between minimalism and absurdism, drawing inspiration from the likes of John Zorn, Ornette Coleman, Frank Zappa, and John Cage. Aside from his work in commercial music, Todd's personal artistic interests explore the colour pallet of drumset and percussion through free improvisation and multi-disciplinary sound art.
Member:
American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 145
Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Percussive Arts Society (PAS)
- SELECTED PERFORMANCE CREDITS -
Member of band "Maria in the Shower" (2007 - present)
Western Canada festival tour with Irish band "Damanta" (June 2008)
Member of band "Arctic" (2007 - 2009)
Member of Toronto Escola de Samba (2006)
Matthew Roberts Trio, Toronto (2005-2006)
Musical "Tommy," Platinum Theatre Group, Toronto (2004)
"Just Drums" scholarship, Humber College, Toronto (2004)
400 Squadron Pipes and Drums, Toronto (2002-2003)
Humble, Ottawa (2001)
Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, Ottawa (2000-2001)
Montreal band "The Helmholtz Resonators" (1998-1999)
Simon Fraser University Alumni Association Pipe Band, Vancouver (1996)
Kelowna Pipe Band (1994-1997)
MusicWest Celebration of Rhythm International Drum Competition, 1st place (1995)
Opening Ceremonies, British Columbia Special Olympics (1995)
Pearl Pro Player's Challenge International Drum Competition, 2nd place (1994)
"Honour in the Arts" award, Kelowna & District Arts Council (1993 & 1994)
Pit musician, Theatre Kelowna Society (1992-1994)
