About

Oli
Edwards

Drummer and musical director based just outside London. I studied Professional Music Performance at ACM in Guildford, then spent nine years working on cruise ships — five of them as Musical Director on flagship ships. Now I work across theatre, touring and dep work in the UK and abroad.

Alongside playing, I work as a Casting Specialist for Warshaw Entertainment, casting musicians for cruise ships. Assessing players for a living has given me a sharp eye for detail — and a clear view of what the industry looks for.

Oli Edwards in a suit on a dark stage, tossing a drumstick

Background

EDUCATION
BA (Hons) Professional Music Performance — ACM, Guildford
CRUISE SHIPS
9 years, including 5 as Musical Director on flagship ships
NOW
Theatre, touring and full-time dep work
CASTING
Casting Specialist, Warshaw Entertainment
ENDORSEMENTS
Vater drumsticks & Istanbul Agop cymbals
STUDIO KIT
Yamaha Recording Custom · Ludwig Club Date · DW Hardware · Istanbul Agop · Audix and Sennheiser mics · Ultimate Ears

What I do

  • Drums — theatre, touring, artist work
  • Musical direction from the kit
  • QLab — audio and visual
  • Backing track design and mixing
  • Band and horn arranging
  • Full shows for guest entertainers
  • Remote drum recording
  • Production
  • Educator

Watch

Celebrity Edge — Stephen Barry
Celeste at Cadogan Hall, London
Country by Candlelight at Portsmouth Guildhall

On the road

View from behind Oli at the kit, looking out over a theatre lit with blue beams
Kit set up beneath a painted cathedral ceiling Oli laughing mid-song at the kit in a purple sequinned jacket, bassist beside him Oli at the kit behind drum screens with the bassist beside him, under a blue-lit video wall The Choir of Man cast and band taking a bow on stage during the China tour

Shows, deps, recording, lessons.

Get in touch