Brendan Buckley, drummer, percussionist, producer, and educator, is a New Jersey-born musician whose career bridges pop, rock, Latin, and world music at the highest professional level. Born March 13, 1974 in Morristown, New Jersey, he studied drums with Tommy Igoe, attended the University of Miami School of Music, and built early momentum in the Miami recording scene before moving to Los Angeles, where he expanded into a wide range of touring, studio, and production work.
Buckley is widely known for his long association with Shakira, contributing as a drummer, percussionist, and in production roles across major touring and recording projects. He has also worked with a broad list of artists across multiple genres, reflecting a career built on adaptability, musical discipline, and strong time feel. His professional credits include major touring and recording work in pop and rock settings while maintaining a deep connection to groove-based and Latin-influenced music.
Recent activity through 2024 and 2025 includes Buckley’s high-profile role in Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, where he performs as part of the live band while also contributing to musical preparation and arrangements connected to the production. During this period, his live performances have received increased attention from fans and media coverage, highlighting both his onstage energy and long-term role in supporting major international productions. Buckley also continues to expand his educational work through masterclass releases focused on flow, limb calibration, and developing musical control beyond patterns and sticking, reinforcing his reputation as a serious teacher for working drummers.
In addition to touring and teaching, Buckley remains active as a studio musician and producer, balancing performance demands with creative work that includes recording, songwriting, and session contributions. His career reflects a modern model of professional drumming built on stylistic flexibility, technical control, and long-term artistic growth.
Gear:
DW Drums, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Remo drumheads.
Sources: DrummerPhotographer.com artist profile, My Music Masterclass (Flow Exercises, Limb Calibration), Roland Users Group artist feature, Infobae Colombia feature (Jan 2026), Brendan Buckley YouTube performance clips.
All photographs © George Burrows / DrummerPhotographer.com. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. For licensing or usage inquiries, please use the Contact page.
Update 1/20/26