BORN IN: Santander
LIVES IN: Torrelavega
DRUMMING SINCE: 1993
BIGGEST INFLUENCE(S): Rock/Jazz/Prog/Fusion
FAVOURITE ALBUM YOU PLAYED ON: Toño Gutiérrez “Maestro Carpintero”
FAVOURITE ALBUM YOU DIDN’T PLAY ON: Led Zeppelin IV
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Performance at Tam Tam Drumfest
FAVOURITE SABIAN CYMBAL: 14″ Artisan Hats

Detailed Biography

Jesús Gancedo began playing the drums at the age of 12, forming the rock group Emboque. In 2000, Chus left the band to begin his musical studies in Madrid, learning from professionals such as Ángel Crespo and Miguel Ángel Ferreira. That same year, he completed his university studies in Santander (earning a Degree in History) and began performing with various jazz, fusion, and pop ensembles.

Early Recognition and Education

In 2002, he reached the finals of the Eurodrummer competition in Madrid—organized by Euromúsica Garijo—placing fourth out of more than 400 drummers from Spain and Portugal. During this time, he also began taking lessons in Barcelona with Salvador Niebla.

By 2003, Chus began his teaching career as a drum instructor for the Institute of Music and Technology of Madrid at the Almacén de las Artes in Astillero. He has been named “Best Drummer in Cantabria” four times at the Estelarock Awards. Additionally, his progressive rock band, Hannah, reached the finals of the 2006 Yamaha competition, which featured over 300 Spanish and Portuguese groups.

International Studies and Competitions

In 2007, Chus received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture of Cantabria to attend a music and production course at the LCCM in London. There, he studied under professionals like Pete Zeldman and Ritchie Stevens, graduating with the highest possible grade (Distinction).

His competitive success continued in 2012 when he was selected from the Shure Drum Mastery participants to represent Spain in the finals held in Reykjavik, Iceland. Later that year, he won the Spanish final of the Roland V-Drums competition, once again representing Spain at the international finals during the 2013 Musikmesse in Frankfurt.

Clinics and Recent Work

Since 2015, Chus has focused on drum clinics throughout Spain. Notable appearances include:

• Califa Drumfest (Córdoba) alongside Lucas Jiménez.

• Drumming Festival de la Rioja, sharing the stage with Dom Famularo, Gergo Borlai, Jason Rullo, and Miguelito Lamas.

• Percufest (Valencia) with Kiki Ferrer and Manu Reyes Jr.

• Alteisa Drum Fest (Zamora), where he has been part of the lineup on two occasions.

In 2021, Chus won the Spanish phase of the Global Drum-Off, securing a spot in the world finals. That same year, he published his first instructional drum method book, titled Vasos Comunicantes (Communicating Vessels).