Welcome to alexpertout.com! The digital hub of percussionist, composer, educator Alex Pertout
In addition to showcasing his dynamic music career, including current projects and his recent recording releases, you can also explore a curated collection of published articles that delve into the history and techniques of drums like congas, bongos, and cajón, as well as percussion instruments such as the berimbau, nyunga nyunga mbira and pandero. Immerse yourself in educational resources, including rhythmic scores rooted in the rich traditions of Latin America and beyond, spanning styles like abakuá, guaguancó, and landó. Additionally, engage with insightful conversations featuring world class percussionists, drummers, and instrumentalists, travel diaries and heartfelt tributes. Together, these elements create a comprehensive hub for music research, education and discovery.
ALEX PERTOUT is a Chilean born award-winning percussionist, composer, educator, recording artist and producer. His musical percussive touch has graced hundreds of albums including iconic Australian radio hits such as Daryl Braithwaite’s ‘The Horses’ and Powderfinger’s ‘My Happiness’. He is a founding member of the Australian Art Orchestra and toured globally with the ensemble for more than two decades. His recording, performance, and television orchestra credits include performances with a diverse range of artists, such as Paul Kelly, Badi Assad, James Morrison, Casiopea, Little River Band (featuring John Farnham), Archie Roach, Hunters & Collectors, Goanna, The Black Sorrows, Dave Valentin, Ute Lemper, Charlelie Couture, Redgum, Tommy Emmanuel, Brian Brown, Tina Arena, Shane Howard, Tony Gould, Kate Ceberano, Tom E. Lewis and Mondo Rock, to name a few.
In addition to his extensive work in soundtrack recordings and live performances, he has also performed as a soloist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and was a featured percussionist in two seasons of The Lion King. He is also recognised as a respected academic and is a senior lecturer in the Jazz & Improvisation Department at the University of Melbourne. In tandem he has developed a personal creative artistic career, his productions featuring outstanding international guests, have received critical acclaim and won a 'Premio Internacional' at the Cuban Music Awards (Cubadisco). He is currently completing a new original album, partly recorded in Cuba, Argentina, Chile, India, United States and Australia to be released in 2025.
"Alex Pertout percussionist extraordinaire"
Warwick McFadyen | SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
"He flatters most contexts in which he performs, combining the ability to bring an extremely sophisticated sense of orchestration to bear"
John Shand | JAZZ’N’BLUES
"Tireless, multi-faceted, dreamer. The life of Alex Pertout confirms that there are no borders in creation"
Ana Maria Dominguez | LA JIRIBILLA (CUBA)
"A musician's musician"
Mike Daly | THE AGE
"Pertout's credentials are impeccable, supremely elegant playing"
Brian Wise | RHYTHMS
"As always Pertout provides a vital ingredient with his tasteful and creative use of percussion instruments"
Adrian Jackson | THE AGE
"Performance by percussionist Alex Pertout was way above the commonplace, Pertout impressed with his Latin American rhythms"
Narendra Kusnur | MIDDAY MUMBAI (INDIA)