Jonathan Barber

Documented by Drum Faster

Vision Ahead's bandleader and UConn faculty — a drummer who plays straight-ahead jazz on a rig with sensor-triggered electronics on the drums. Ludwig shells, dark hand-hammered Istanbul Agop cymbals, and Sensory Percussion mapping strike position to sound.

Read our full Jonathan Barber feature →

2025 — Vision Ahead

Drumeo's citation was that his playing "balances tradition and innovation", which is unusually literal here: real brushes and a real ride cymbal, through a rig where sensors read where and how hard he hits each head and trigger sounds accordingly. One snare can be a snare, a synth and a sample depending on where it is struck.

The 2025 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.

Ludwig kit ⤷ who plays this

Ludwig 14" snare ⤷ who plays this

Istanbul Agop Hi-hats Turkish, hand-hammered, dark and dry ⤷ who plays this

Istanbul Agop Ride the most important cymbal on a jazz kit ⤷ who plays this

Istanbul Agop Crashes ⤷ who plays this

Evans heads ⤷ who plays this

Promark sticks ⤷ who plays this

Brushes ⤷ who plays this

Sensory Percussion sensors on the acoustic drums, mapping strike position and dynamics to triggered sounds ⤷ who plays this

2025 — Vision Ahead

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