News, Updates and Information Archive: 2009
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appearances in Downbeat and Drummer Cafe!
posted October 21, 2009-
I am very appreciative of the support that my 'Ritimista' world percussion play-along has been receiving.
It's truly a surprise and a delight to see it featured in the latest (November 2009) issue of DOWNBEAT Magazine! What an honor it is for me to see the CD gracing their pages.
Second, many thanks go to Bart Elliott at Drummer Cafe for his recent review! When you get a chance, surf over there and check out DC's incredible collection of drum lessons, articles, reviews and other resources.
Last, but FAR from least, the encouragement I've gotten via emails, Facebook, friends, fellow percussionists, students and CD sales really means a great deal to me. Thanks to everyone for keeping me inspired and motivated!
. . . and a partridge in a pear tree!
posted September 29, 2009-
After a string of gigs in the Yukon, British Columbia and Alaska, several kilometers of gravel roads, five group percussion workshops, a handful of private lessons, a moose, an elk, a fox, two coyotes, and a bunch of bald eagles, I am back home! The tour with Barbara Chamberlin was an absolute blast- lots of laughs; lots of photos; lots of great music! Now it's time to kick back into high gear, finish a few projects, and pump out a couple of new products. I'll keep you posted right here . . .
Oh, Canada . . .
posted September 8, 2009-
It's certainly been a busy, fun and interesting summer! After much music and many travel adventures, I've recently enjoyed a couple of weeks at home. But it's time to kick back into high gear again. I leave in about a week for a short tour with Canadian artist Barbara Chamberlin- hitting British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska. Can't wait- I hear it's gorgeous up that a'way! Check my Schedule page for the itinerary.
Three more developments that I wanted to pass along:
1. Seven of my percussion solo/ensemble compositions will be added to my Products page in the next few days.
2. Work has just begun on an introductory hand drum DVD, which I have had numerous requests for. It will definitely be a while before it sees the light-of-day, but I'm already getting excited!
3. My latest drumset book/CD package, Grooves On-The-Go, is in its final stages and will be released very soon.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hello from a very stormy Sturgis Bike Week!
posted August 8, 2009-
I'm out in South Dakota, playing at the Sturgis motorcycle rally. Yesterday brought some of the scariest weather I've ever seen . . . forcing myself and bandmates to literally hide UNDER our outdoor stage! Wow- Mother Nature can certainly be a monster at times. I thought I'd take shelter from all of the crazy rain, hail and tornadoes we're having, and use it as an opportunity to throw a couple more percussive tidbits your direction.
First of all, installment five in my Hand Drum Crash Course for Mel Bay's 'Percussion Sessions' is now online. Check it out here. In this month's issue we combine the Heel and Toe strokes with the basic strokes learned in earlier lessons.
Also, my "Ritimista" world percussion play-along CD is recommended in the Releases column of the latest issue of DRUMHEAD Magazine! Get your hands on a copy and flip to page 102.
More hail coming; bikers scrambling to protect their rides; gotta go; 'til next time . . .
PR, SD & Q-BA
posted July 22, 2009-
I leave tomorrow for Puerto Rico, where I will again be attending La Fiesta de Santiago Apostol (in Loiza) and studying Bomba! The amazing drumbuilder Ivan Davila is working on a 'primo' for me . . . can't wait to play it!
Then I'll be heading out to South Dakota, to perform all seven days at the 69th annual Sturgis Bike Week motorcycle rally. Isn't it a little too hot this time of year for all that leather? I guess we'll see!
Until I'm able to return with more videos and percussion lessons, check out two snippets from Cuba that I just uploaded to YouTube:
Matanzas vocal research- Palo, Makuta, Rumba Columbia
Los Toques del Oro Seco - Bata drumming with Daniel Alfonso
Catch you soon!
DrummersZone
posted July 1, 2009-
A big thank you to Klaas Jan Stol and the gang at DrummersZone.com, who just named my new "Ritimista" world percussion play-along CD their Release of the Month! Check out the DZ site for all sorts of drummer news and releases.
MTT in MD
posted June 9, 2009-
Check out the latest issue of Modern Drummer magazine . . . "Mastering the Tables of Time," the fantastic new book by my mentor and friend Dave Stanoch, just topped their Reader's Poll as Best Method Book! Having done the music engraving for the project, I may be a bit biased, but you REALLY should get your hands on a copy of this book! Stanoch has created an amazing method that will seriously benefit your playing, not to mention keep you busy for a LONG while. Congratulations, Dave!
Also, the fourth installment (with videos!) in my Hand Drumming Crash Course for Mel Bay's 'Percussion Sessions' webzine is online! This issue, we take a look at Heel and Toe strokes. Check it out here and have fun!
Ritimista is here!
posted April 24, 2009-
I am happy to announce that today is the official release date of Volume One in my Ritimista world percussion play-along CD series!
The 22 African and Latin style tracks on the disc feature three-minute loops of eleven different percussion rhythms, at both slow and fast tempos. Percussionists, pianists, guitarists, dancers (etc.) can practice along with the patterns, and can download complete written notation of each (in standard and boxed formats).
In addition to being available this weekend at the Seattle World Rhythm Festival, the CD can also now be ordered online through my Products page!
Can't wait to hear what you think!
Out-of-state teaching
posted April 19, 2009-
It's World Rhythm Festival time! I will be teaching at the FREE event in Seattle this coming weekend. My workshops times are:
Friday, April 24 (2-4pm)
"The Basics of Hand Drumming: 2-Hour Crash Course"
Sunday, April 26 (11am-noon)
"Five C's: Clave, Cascara, Clap, Click & Count" rhythm workshop
Go to swps.org for the full schedule, and I hope to see you there!
After Washington, I'm headed to the Midwest for a two-day residency at Carl Traeger Elementary in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They've invited me there several times over the last few years, and I can't wait to get back to see all of the students and staff!
Announcing new classes!
posted March 21, 2009-
Hello, hello! Next month brings with it a number of opportunities for me to share my drumming passion with y'all!
#1: Another four-week "Basics of Hand Drumming" class is starting up at Riverfront Wellness (Wednesdays, April 1st-22nd). Get all of the info on my 'Schedule' page!
#2: I am beginning a monthly "Innerhythms" drum class/circle at Reiki River Studios. There are details on my 'Schedule' page for this, as well.
#3: Also, I'm excited to say that I will be teaching at this year's World Rhythm Festival in Seattle (April 24-26)! As always, they have an amazing list of instructors and performers lined up. I am honored to be involved. To top it off, the entire weekend event is FREE! I will be teaching two workshops. Go to swps.org for more information.
Hope to drum with you soon!
Kuku for you . . .
posted March 4, 2009-
I just posted a new hand drumming video lesson on YouTube. This one introduces four djembe parts for "Kuku," a rhythm from Guinea, West Africa! Click on the following two links to view the Kuku VIDEO and the Kuku NOTATION. Stay tuned for Part Two, where we'll combine all four patterns simultaneously!
Part Three of the Mel Bay Percussion Sessions Hand Drumming Crash Course!
posted February 7, 2009-
The third installment (which includes video clips!) is now available! This month we incorporate 16th-notes and 16th-rests, allowing for even more interesting hand drum patterns! Check it out here and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
In the news
posted January 28, 2009-
I just finished a two-day percussion residency at St. Joseph School in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. I do a lot of these programs, but everyone involved with this one were honestly some of the nicest, most hospitable people I have ever gotten to work with! If it weren't for these below zero temperatures (brrrr . . . ), I wouldn't be quite so eager to fly west in a couple of days.
Today's issue of the Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon) includes a short profile of yours truly. Check it out here. Many thanks to Chris Hagan, Tim Gonzalez, Justin Hunt, Keith Weathers and Brad Howard!
video drum lesson #3
Paradiddle Inversion Drumset Application
posted January 4, 2009-
Happy New Year! Continuing the new video lesson series, #3 has been posted! This latest installment, Paradiddle Inversion Drumset Application, is exactly that . . . a RLLR-LRRL paradiddle inversion sticking applied to the drumset. Practice it, have fun, and bring on the funk! Don't forget to post a comment, rate the video, and click on the 'subscribe' button, to be notified about future lessons. There are many more lessons to come, so stay tuned!