“Colin is able to work with people at any level, make them look good and feel like a pro. As an arranger, he’s able to look at a piece for the multiple ways it can be experienced. You give him one song, and he instantly visualizes how it could be a solo, duet, or a full blown, hundred person multi-media live performance. I asked him to take an Usher song, make it work for a drum corps, and he did it overnight. Then I asked him to take a Prince song, and make it a jazz vibraphone duet for me to play with Questlove. We performed it at Carnegie Hall. These are not typical asks, but there is nothing typical about Colin. His chops as an arranger are top notch. Both of these projects were high pressure for me. As a collaborator, he gets your head in the game, and puts you at ease.”
— Janina Gavankar, Actor, Musician, Producer
“I’ve worked with Colin Bell on a few of my films, and several other projects. The time and care he takes with learning the intent of the film, the characters and themes, not only exceeded my expectations, but in turn produced themes that helped form the final cut. I look forward to my next project even more knowing I have a composer I can truly collaborate with.”
— Heidi Schnappauf, Director, Filmmaker, Stuntwoman/Stunt Coordinator, Actor
“Colin Bell’s compositions are written with his distinct, unique, fresh and creative musical voice. He has the ability to develop ideas into well-written pieces rich in texture and technique. Colin is also an impressive collaborator who is able to weave ideas together with cohesion and beauty. Not one note is written without meaning and thought. ”
— Chris Bernotas, Director of String Publications, Alfred Music, Co-author of Sound Innovations Ensemble Development for Band, Co-Author of Sound Percussion
“Colin Bell is an outstanding young voice in the percussion world. He writes creative, innovative and effective compositions and arrangements that inspire performers and audiences alike!”
— Dr. Andrew Yozviak, Director of Bands, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
“Colin Bell is a remarkable composer, arranger and percussionist. He has spanned a wide range of styles in his musical career. This is evident in his compositions , which are musical, exciting, idiomatic, and accessible.”
— James Musto, Kean University Head of Percussion, Percussionist, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
“Colin’s ability as a percussionist and composer to make great music in any setting is unmatched. His professionalism and musicality go hand-in-hand: being the first to show up to a rehearsal or gig, and always being the most prepared. As a partner and music director at Elegant Music Group, Colin has been a great resource and asset that goes beyond his playing.”
— Michael Carleo, Music Director, Elegant Music Group
“Colin Bell is, without a doubt, one of the most reliable and talented percussionists I have ever worked with. In my work as a music director, I have heard him play multiple styles with ease, from jazz to rock to early Broadway to modern musicals. As a conductor/pianist, he easily reads my mind through tempo and beat changes without my having to raise my hands! His intuitiveness and ability to arrange and compose a chart make him a very useful asset in any orchestra, on both drum set and auxiliary percussion. His talent and passion for music shines through, and I highly recommend working with him on any project!”
— Jack Bender, Music Faculty, Newark Academy (Livingston NJ), Freelance Music Director/Composer/Arranger
“For me, I don’t think about drums without Colin coming to mind. He is the go-to for laying it down in the studio, and is the ideal person to work with: versatile, easy to communicate with, quick to understand and implement ideas regardless of complexity, and he’s simply just a good, patient person.”
— David Fowler, Producer and Songwriter, Echo Movement
“Colin Bell’s cross-genre experience makes him uniquely suited as a modern percussion composer. He combines traditional percussion elements with modern audio production techniques to bring a fresh approach to floor and field”
— Joe Costable, On The Field Audio
“Colin Bell is my first call drummer. His knowledge and skills in all different playing styles and grooves is what sets him apart from others. It doesn’t matter if it’s a percussion book or drum set, I can always count on him to play it just right.”
— Bruce De La Cruz, New York/New Jersey Music Director, Pianist, Conductor, Arranger)