DW has acquired Slingerland drums from Gibson

Drum Workshop Inc. founder Don Lombardi sat down at an original 1958 Slingerland drum kit and unknowingly joked that his company would not have to buy the Slingerland brand. The kit, a gift from his son, DW CEO Chris Lombardi, was presented during the founder’s birthday party. As a surprise, Chris Lombardi delivered the news to his father that the Slingerland brand was now his. President and CEO of Gibson, James “JC” Curleigh, appeared in a prepared video to officially deliver the news to the DW founder, stating his confidence in the DW ownership of the Slingerland name. Excited, Lombardi shared cake with friends, family, and original Slingerland endorsers Chad Wackerman, John Ferraro, Joey Heredia, and Danny Seraphine, all in attendance.

Slingerland drums, closely associated with jazz and swing artists of the mid-twentieth century, can be heard in recordings of famous American drummers Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Founded in 1913, the Slingerland brand was frequently traded in sales through the twentieth century, eventually acquired by Gibson in the early 1990s. The Slingerland brand, relatively dormant until this most recent purchase, is now reinvigorated as Drum Workshop Inc. announces plans for a new generation of Slingerland products.

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