“Clifford is an awesome teacher: he is very patient and encouraging, and challenges you to do things you never thought you could—but can.”
PRESS & PODCASTS
The Tangentially Speaking interview Starts at the twenty-four-minute mark.
IN-PERSON CLASSES
“I am deeply grateful to Clifford because I met my husband in his drum class! He even drummed us down the aisle at our wedding. You never know what magic you may discover at Clifford’s classes so don’t hesitate to sign up. You might just fall in love—at least you will with drumming”
ONLINE CLASSES
“Clifford has clearly put a lot of thought into how to make zoom learning easy and efficient for his students. Straight from Nashville, the Sound and Rhythm Drumming School rocks!”
PRIVATE LESSONS
“Clifford told me he can teach anyone how to drum and after my first lesson I can see why. He is a very good teacher, calm and patient. Clifford explains everything clearly and he has good knowledge of drums. I’m excited and I’m looking forward to...continuing on.”
Clifford Koufman…
Clifford Koufman is a Nashville-based, award-winning drummer who founded Sound & Rhythm Studio in 2000. With over 20 years of experience, Clifford carries a world of experience to every scenario, whether creating music, making videos, or teaching.
Clifford is in the process of creating a film about the drummer/composer Ra Kalam Bob Moses. Clifford has interviewed jazz music icon, Pat Metheny as well as Mike Calabrese of the band Lake Street Dive. Clifford Produced a recording session in New Orleans with music luminaries Bill Summers, Johnny Vidacovich and Tony Dagradi.
He has recorded with Jeff Coffin, Ra Kalam Bob Moses, Jeff Sipe, and Danny Gottlieb as well as performing for years with other musical luminaries. He's honored to be the recipient of multiple grants, the Thrive award to build community through community drumming classes, performances, and drum circles, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council professional development grant to study music in Guinea, West Africa. He's toured internationally, throughout the US, and in Alaska.
Clifford has spent time living and learning from master musicians in Ghana and then Guinea, West Africa, and has performed, taught, and worked with thousands of people as well as working with numerous bands, songwriters, and composers throughout the United States. In an effort to share his musical experience and inspiration, He began "Clif Chats" where he has conducted over one hundred interviews of creative people at the top of their fields. Clif Chats can be watched on the Sound and Rhythm YouTube HERE
Clifford embraces the spirit of collaboration in Nashville, performing, recording, and writing. He is continually experimenting with a hybrid drum set, incorporating percussion and drum set elements with various hand drums. He also facilitates leadership development events using the drum circle as the vehicle.
Clif Chats was started as the effects of the pandemic were being felt by all of us. The goal was to connect with creative people through conversation and to broadcast live to social media as a way to offer insights and enjoyment to listeners.
Some of the people who have been on the show are Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean), Oliver Charles & Leon Mobley (Ben Harper’s drummers), Ben Sesar (Brad Paisley), Viktor Krauss (Robert Plant & Allison Krauss), Herlin Riley, Johnny Vidacovich, Danny De Los Reyes & Chris Fryar (Zac Brown Band), Danny Barnes, Jonathan Scales, Taku Hirano (Fleetwood Mac & Whitney Houston), Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit), Danny Gottlieb, Arthur Hull, Kenny Werner (Effortless Mastery), Ra Kalam Bob Moses & Billy Martin (MMW).