News, Updates and Information Archive: 2007

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'Tis the season to be . . . busy!
posted December 19, 2007-

As the end of the year quickly approaches, I have been frantically preparing for a number of upcoming projects. New Years Eve brings with it my first performance with disco tribute band The Afrodisiacs. You guessed it- that means me in a wig, bellbottoms, bling and platform shoes! Oh, yeah . . . and dancing The Hustle!

After the 1st, I'll have a few days to catch up with family in the Midwest, and then it's off to a five-day 'Junk Jam' percussion residency at Gibraltar School in Door County, Wisconsin. The week will also include a Thursday evening community rhythm workshop/performance, showcasing a variety of solo percussion and an ensemble [that we will create that week] of Gibraltar students.

On January 19th, I have the privilege of performing at the WVSE Saxophone Day 2008 evening concert, with Randy & Hijirah Kem, the Willamette Valley Saxophone Quartet, and other guest musicians. The concert will be held at the Mary Stewart Rogers Music Center, on the campus of Willamette University (Salem, OR) and will feature six saxophones + rhythm section on Miles Davis' "Birth of the Cool," three movements from selected Bob Mintzer compositions and new original material.

The end of the month, I'll be tracking drumset and percussion for an upcoming album by one of my favorite new bands: LeNUNES. They have a beautiful blend of vocals, piano and [two!] bass guitars, and are seriously some of the nicest people I've ever met! Their music allows me to be very textural (and pull out a lot of my obscure percussion toys)! Watch for it- the release date is March 2008.

Whew . . . time to get back to learning all of these tunes! Happy Holidays!

Saxtravaganza!
posted November 26, 2007-

I'm excited about a performance I'm involved with this coming Thursday (the 29th), at Willamette University. The concert will feature guest saxophonist Joseph Wytko playing Ibert's "Concertino de Camera," one of the most famous original works written for saxophone in the 20th century.

I will be performing on two selections. The first is the West Coast Concurrent World Premier of "The Miraculous Tale," a duet for alto sax and derabucca, by Egyptian composer Halim El-Dabh. The saxophonist is Professor Randy Kem, who co-commissioned the piece. Following that, I will be providing drumset accompaniment to the Willamette Valley Saxophone Quartet on Gordon Goodwin's "Diffusions."

The FREE concert begins at 8pm in Hudson Hall. Hope to see you there!

Drumming The Clave
posted October 18, 2007-

World Rhythm Webzine just posted my latest hand drum lesson, "Drumming The Clave."
Check it out at their website or on my Online Lessons page!

new 'Basics of Hand Drumming' Class @ Riverfront Wellness
posted October 17, 2007-

For all of you aspiring hand drummers out there, a new four-week 'Basics of Hand Drumming' Beginning Class is scheduled to run Tuesdays, November 6th-27th! Classes will be held 6:15-7:15pm at Riverfront Wellness Center- 245 Oak Street SE; Salem, OR. The cost is $40 for the four-week session, and you can register by calling Riverfront (503-365-8399) or myself (920-410-0465). Bring a drum and get ready to jam! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions- I look forward to seeing you! And, of course, the 'Continuing' class still meets 7:30-8:30pm on Tuesday evenings, for those ready to jump into some more advanced drumming!

Bittersweet
posted October 15, 2007-

Just returned from a fantastic week of programs in Wisconsin . . . many thanks to Benjamin Cloyd, Dave Williams, Mike Underwood, Marlo Ambas, Jonathan Leahy, Robin Cardell, Dane Richeson, Tracie Reuther-McWilliams, Rich Norenberg, Dave Jerabek, Valarie Meidinger, Brian Lydeen, Alice Toepel and Janice Mashak for making it all possible!

On a much sadder note, while home I was informed of the passing of my friend John Ruka, who took his own life last month. That route is never the solution to anyone's problems, but I'm especially surprised that it was the choice that John made. I've always thought of myself as professional, motivated and productive- but he continuously made everything I was doing look like a joke! I got to know him through the Drum Instructors' Guild, a networking organization that he founded and operated out of Milwaukee, WI. He also taught percussion at Wisconsin Lutheran College and thousands of private students, including Ernie Adams (Al Di Meola) and Eric Blaufuss (World Rudimental Snare Champion). I cherish the wisdom & inspiration that John shared with me, and send my love and support to his wife, Annette.

Oshkosh in October
posted September 30, 2007-

I'm looking forward to next week's trip to the Midwest. The schedule includes playing a jazz gig with old friends, and presenting percussion programs at Southern Oaks Girls School, the Wisconsin Resource Center, Winneconne High School, Marian College and the fall conference for the Wisconsin Association of Homes & Services for the Aging. That last one is certainly going to be a highlight- I have a few hundred pairs of drumsticks waiting in the Fox Valley, to be used by the expected 450 participants of the WAHSA session! 'Tis going to be LOUD!!!

Rhyner . . . completely Warped
posted August 30, 2007-

A short note to say 'congrats' to former student Matt Rhyner (and his band, Unsung Hero) on being chosen to play a slot at this summer's Vans Warped Tour concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Click here to check out the band- and Matt's fantastic drumming.

Dance, dance, dance . . .
posted August 1, 2007-

Quick update . . . played a gig with D-Ron (an intense LIVE Trance/Drum&Bass/Progressive House dance experience with two keyboard/synth players and two drumset players!); stood up in bass player Dave Jerabek's wedding (congrats Dave and Dana!); attended Aaron Baer's (a.k.a. Dr. Kickbutt) wedding party (congrats Aaron and Mary!); and had a B2 Stealth Bomber fly right above a friend and I! This month I am teaching a Hand Drum Crash Course at Indigo Wellness in Salem and am facilitating two Junk Jam workshops at Ash Creek Elementary in Monmouth. Make sure to check out my latest online article for Drummer's Digest: Paradiddles On The Drumset - Part One: Grooves. If you prefer reading the Swedish version, click here. See you soon!

Don't know Jack? Well, then it's about time you met him!
posted July 8, 2007-

Since my understanding of the guitar is certainly lacking, I enlisted the help of friend and musical cohort Jack Hopfinger for my latest Salem Monthly article. In this month's issue, I asked Jack to share some tips for the budding guitarist looking to get their hands on an instrument and learn how to play. Check it all out here and (if you're interested in lessons) Jack can be reached at 503-385-6041. But, shhhhh! Keep the number a secret and you'll be the envy of all of your friends who don't know Jack!

What a Sam-tastic time in L.A.!
posted June 11, 2007-

I had a great time playing in Los Angeles this past weekend with Sam Winch and the Lullabadeers. Thanks to the entire band (Sam, Red, Tanya, Kit, Rod, Alisa, Christopher, Nick, Steve, The Whistler and Brian), as well as Michael Zakin, Adam Winch, Nicky Luck, Mrs. Brown and Anders "Bring-in-the-Svede" Fransson for an awesome couple of gigs! I can't wait to do it again soon!

Su-su-studio
posted May 29, 2007-

I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day holiday! I spent the weekend recording drums for two projects that should be released later this year. On Sunday, I laid down tracks on three songs for Americana Records artist Michael Vallee. Monday was spent with Portland-based band Crossing Pluto, working on twelve songs for their newest album.

Also, keep your eyes and ears open for the June release of "Mantra Chill," the latest CD by Martyrs of Sound. I had previously contributed percussion parts to two songs and just got word that the final product will be in-hand any day now. I'll keep you posted on the other releases right here, so check back!

Want a new snare drum? Make It Yourself!
posted May 10, 2007-

After years of playing drums, I recently decided to attempt (yikes!) to make my own snare drum! And you know what? It isn't all that difficult. And it's cheaper than buying a 'custom' drum. AND it's more fun than buying a 'custom' drum. AND it's just cool! Want more info? Check out my D.I.Y. snare drum building article from DrummersDigest.com- a great Swedish-based online drum mag! One more thing . . . if YOU make one, I want to see photos!

Felden-who?
posted April 26, 2007-

My article for the April issue of 'Percussive Notes' magazine has just been posted to the 'Press/Articles' page. "The Feldenkrais Method for Percussionists: An Interview with Richard Ehrman" introduces drummers to Feldenkrais, a form of somatic education that has many benefits to musicians who explore it. Richard teaches at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and was kind enough to share his thoughts. Enjoy!

Two new hand drumming lessons
posted April 2, 2007-

Click on over to the 'Online Lessons' page to find two of my recently published hand drumming lesson articles. Drum drum drum, from the April issue of Salem Monthly, teaches beginners how to combine basic strokes (bass, open and slap) to create a variety of grooves. If you already have some chops, try your hand (no pun intended!) at Jammin' the Kpanlogo, from World Rhythm Webzine. There we take a look at some traditional rhythms from the Ga people of Ghana, West Africa.

Three upcoming hand drum classes announced!
posted March 15, 2007-

Ready to pull that conga or djembe out of the closet, dust it off and learn how to play it? If so, now's the time! I have just scheduled Beginning hand drum classes at three locations around Salem.

A four-week 'Basics of Hand Drumming' class will take place at Riverfront Wellness Center (245 Oak St. SE) from April 24th through May 15th (6:15-7:15pm). To register, call 503-365-8399 (or me @ 920-410-0465).

On Sunday, May 6th (from 1-3pm) I will teach a jam-packed two-hour 'Basics of Hand Drumming' crash course at Indigo Wellness Center (3276 Commercial St. SW). Call me at 920-410-0465 to register.

And . . . I am offering another five-week 'Intro to Hand Drumming' class during Spring Term at Chemeketa Community College. The class meets at Judson Middle School from 7-8pm on Wednesdays, April 18th through May 16th. Call 503-399-6562 for information and registration.

There you have it! Come, bring your drum, learn, play, jam! Hope to see you there!

Groovin' in Salem
posted March 2, 2007-

Thanks to Jan Irving and the Chemeketa Nursing students at Salem Hospital for asking me to come in and participate in the clinical group drumming last night! What a treat to observe and experience the exploration of rhythm's healing powers! Thanks again!

The March issue of Salem Monthly contains my continuation of last October's "Basics of Hand Drumming" lesson. This month we combine the basic strokes (bass, open and slap), creating a variety of rhythms. You'll be jamming in no time! Check it (and the October article) out at www.salemmonthly.com or keep an eye on my 'lessons' and 'articles' pages. It will posted there soon. Have fun!

It's practice time for me!
posted February 21, 2007-

Just returned from a fantastic trip to Boston, where I spent the weekend studying with some amazing cats! On Friday night, I took a three-hour drumset lesson with Rakalam Bob Moses. Rakalam ("the inaudible sound of the invisible sun") shared several of his musical concepts with me, including methods of committing to (and fully developing) a very small rhythm or motif; his ideas of 'living music' and 'contouring' the music that we hear; and his thoughts on making a groove "squinchable." I had two lessons on Sunday- the first with percussionist Jerry Leake. We focused on Indian tabla techniques and then moved into West African music, where Jerry introduced me to some gun-gon rhythms from the Dagomba people of northern Ghana. After that lesson, I headed to Cambridge and met with Takaaki Masuko, who taught me the strokes and some basic rhythms common to the Egyptian derabucca. I am indebted to Rakalam, Jerry and Taki for taking the time to share so much with me. I have my work cut out for me! Thanks again and again to Megan & Rachel Searcy, Jim & Deb Cloyd, Ken Radnofsky, as well as Jeff, Chris and the gang at Wentworth, for their generosity and helping to make the trip fun and, for that matter, possible! Now, if you don't mind, I have some serious practicing to do!

Flouble Trouble
posted January 29, 2007-

If you've already played through the 'Fliplets' exercises on the lessons page, swing over there again and nab the second lesson in that series, 'Floubles.' If you haven't checked either of them out yet . . . well, you have some catchin' up to do!

In other news, make sure to get your hands on the March issue of Modern Drummer magazine (with Vinnie Colaiuta on the cover). It contains an excellent article on developing your own sound on the instrument, written by my great friend and teacher, Dave Stanoch. Definitely check it out!

Many thanks to the Salem Outreach Shelter for letting me 'Junk Jam' with the kids, and to the Willamette Valley Saxophone Quartet for one of my favorite performing experiences ever!

Happy New Year!
posted January 7, 2007-

Welcome, welcome, welcome . . . ! I hope you enjoyed your holidays. My latest article ("Music lessons? At my age?") appears in this month's issue of Salem Monthly. Check it out on their site, or follow my 'Press/Articles' link on the left. New lessons and articles coming soon, so stay tuned!