Stanley Randolph is one of those rare drummers who brings both world-class feel and serious firepower — deep pocket, huge dynamics, and the ability to elevate a band without ever stepping on the music. Originally from the South and now based in Los Angeles, he built his career the real way: by being prepared, versatile, and dependable in high-pressure professional situations.
Randolph is best known as Stevie Wonder’s touring drummer, a role that requires extreme musical control and a strong internal clock. That gig also opened doors to a wide range of top-level artists, and over the years his resume has included work connected to major pop and R&B names such as Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, and others. Whether he’s playing a stadium-level backbeat or a tight funk pocket, his drumming is about feel first — with chops always there when the music calls for it.
What he’s doing now: Randolph continues performing at a high level and remains visible through live footage, drum-cam clips, and ongoing drummer education. He also stays active in the clinic / mentoring world and continues building his personal platform as a modern drummer with strong credibility in both the touring and musician communities.
“Superstition” / groove approach: In Drumeo’s lesson on the Stevie Wonder classic, Randolph focuses on getting the groove to feel right — not just playing the notes. His teaching emphasizes locking in the feel so the beat dances, and he breaks down how the groove sits and breathes like Stevie’s music demands.
Gear / Companies: DW Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth Sticks. In Drumeo’s kit rundown, Randolph explains that he splits his Stevie Wonder touring kit into two versions so he can capture both an “older” and a “newer” sound, and he covers his tom sizes, cymbal and head choices, tuning approach, and the overall vibe he aims for when preparing his palette of sounds.
Sources: Drumeo; Drummer’s Resource; Harmony Central; MikeDolbear; YouTube (Elmo Lovano interview).
Update: 1/21/26