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Please click here for PDF Registration Form KoSA Eleven Artist/Faculty, scheduled as of July 2006:
Kosa is very pleased to welcome back Memo Acevedo. Memo began to make a mark on rock music in his early teens. Soon after leaving his native Colombia, he began to (re)discover his Latin roots. A self-taught musician, his passion for Latin music compelled him to take it as a serious object of study in his new home, Toronto. Memo and his two bands, Banda Brava and Memo Acevedo & The Jazz Cartel, helped expose Canadian audiences to a wide range of Latin and Afro-Latin music. Memo also played a major role in establishing a Latin jazz, Salsa and Brazilian ensemble in Canada at Humber College in Toronto. And to promote Latin music he set up a radio show as Toronto's CIUT-FM, "The Latin Beat," which aired for ten years. His self-produced CD "Building Bridges" (on Concord/J.A) features mentor Tito Puente and friends Dave Valentin and Gonzalito Rubalcaba and contains mostly new material written and arranged by Memo and his trombonist, T.Promane. Memo is completely at home on a drum set as well as with percussion, in styles including Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Colombian, and Latin Jazz. His credits as a session player include playing with most of the major Canadian stars and doing TV work and jingles. In 1989 he won the National Ad Music Award for his TV commercial "Unbeatable" for Rubbermaid. In 1991 he received the Juno Award (Canada's equivalent of the Grammy) in the category of "World Beat," plus Jazz Report Magazine Awards for 1994 and 1995 as Canada's "Percussionist of the Year." In 1996 Memo moved to New York City, where he's been active recording and performing with Hilton Ruiz, Mark Murphy, Peggy Stern, Toshiko Akiyoshi, The Latin Jazz Coalition, the legendary Jazz duo Jackie & Roy, the English Hip Hop band The Propellerheads, and Broadway shows "The Lion King" and "The Civil War." Memo loves "passing the torch" (as he calls his teaching).Currently he is in charge of the Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Drumming courses at New York's Drummer's Collective and New York University.
Kosa is pleased to welcome John Amira, a master drummer with over 40 years experience in his specialty of Haitian and Cuban music. His fascination with African and Caribbean drumming inspired him to begin his studies in his early teens. While still in high school, he was performing with various bands, ethnic dance companies, and at Cuban and Haitian religious ceremonies. Amira's drumming has been featured in theater ("A season in the Congo," "Shango De Im"); film ("Putney Swope," "Fighting Back"); T.V., radio, and recordings with Latin, jazz, and other groups. He teaches, performs and lectures at universities and institutes including Yale, New England Conservatory, Bates, Mannes, New School, Duke, Occidental, Middlebury, Kentucky State, Naropa, Drummer's Collective, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the Museum of Natural History. He is the author of The Music of Santeria. Between his travels teaching and performing, Amira accompanies dance groups and classes, as well as teaching privately.
Clayton Cameron has a dynamic career that has already crossed many barriers in the world of music. From Sammy Davis Jr. to Tony Bennett, Clayton continues to push the envelope of contemporary drumming and brushes to their very limits. After the release of the 1990 video, "The Living Art of Brushes" Clayton has been given the honorary title "Brush Master". Since the release of this ground breaking video Clayton has noticed a wonderful reaction from the drumming community, "It's been wonderful watching the growing interest in this art form. I never thought that my rhythmic tapping on empty oatmeal boxes would lead to such a distinction as Brush Master. My parents always thought I just loved oatmeal for breakfast. The fact is I knew the sooner I emptied the box...the sooner I'd have another cardboard drum." Born in Los Angeles, California Clayton began playing bongos at the age of seven. By age twelve his fascination with drums became so apparent his parents decided to buy him his first drum set and sent Clayton to music school for drum lessons. "I guess they tired of my oatmeal box drumming as much as I tired of eating those hearty oats every morning." Clayton went on to get a degree in music from California State University at Northridge. During college, he played in clubs around L.A behind artists who were mentors to him. They included vocalist O.C Smith, Ernie Andrews, Jimmy Weatherspoon, instrumentalist Teddy Edwards, Larry Gails( of Thelonious Monk fame) and Gerald Wilson. After graduating from college, Clayton moved to Las Vegas to perform nightly with a jazz group called the Kirk Stuart trio. Clayton's drum teacher Clarence Johnston advised Clayton to do his job and stay away from gambling. "I took his advice to heart. I would quickly find out from the casino boss that my job was not to entertain people with my bombastic drum solos, in fact the only music to his ears was the ching ching sound of the slot machines. No matter how softly I played with sticks it was not quite enough. So for six nights a week...during an eight-month engagement, I played...you guessed it...only brushes." By experimenting with brush techniques and different styles Clayton was basically trying to make drumming more interesting. "It was during this time that some of the rough ideas for my future videos and books were initially developed. During my stint with the trio, we also toured with Joe Williams-the great blues singer. My time with Joe and the trio was a memorable learning experience." While living in Las Vegas, Clayton would go to the Four Queens Hotel for its' Monday night jazz sessions. On one of those many Monday nights he went to hear jazz trumpet legend Clark Terry. "To my surprise and pleasure, Clark Terry invited me up to play on a few tunes. Little did I know... that the music director for Sammy Davis Jr., George Rhodes, was listening in the audience." After hearing him play that night, George honored Clayton with an audition. "He later hired me as the drummer for Sammy Davis Jr. My new job was quite different from my trio gig. Ironically the only tune I played with brushes was on Mr. Bojangles. Well that's nothing to shake a stick at (pun shameful intended)." The other big difference was the number of musicians on stage. A big band and string orchestra numbered no less than 40 musicians and Clayton performed right in the middle of it all. Sammy could do everything...sing, do impersonations, jokes, play instruments (including drums), act and of course dance. "It would be Sammy's tap dancing night after night that would inspire my brush playing. In my video entitled Live at PAS, I demonstrate not only Sammy's influence on me but also the influences of some of his hoofing buddies. " These included such greats as Gregory Hines and Sandman Sims. During those years Clayton also played for Sammy's Rat Pack friends-Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. The three toured together in 1988-89 selling out theaters and stadiums alike. "I knew then to treasure the experience." After returning from a European tour, Sammy Davis Junior was diagnosed with cancer. Less than a year later the cancer took his life. "His talents were beyond words, I wish that all young performers could have witnessed him live and in concert. I still miss his showbiz magic to this day." In 1990 Clayton finished production on his instructional video, "The Living Art of Brushes." It was the first video dedicated to the art of playing brushes. Many musicians who had heard and seen Clayton perform with brushes would invariably say, "Brushes! That's a dying art." To counter that sentiment, Clayton could not resist naming the video, "The Living Art of Brushes." "After many years of playing I had an idea for a brush with more balance while playing and the ability to switch ends for different percussive sound." These thoughts evolved into the Clayton Cameron Drumbrush. To go along with the brushes he also invented an innovative product that houses and protects wire brushes called the Brushwallet. "Check them out! Believe me, this is not just self- promotion folks. Well maybe just a little. :-)" In 1990 through 1991 Clayton toured with three legends of the jazz world: George Shearing, Joe Pass and Joe Williams. "I feel quite fortunate to have experienced playing music with such giants of the music industry. Each one of these men has given the world timeless music." "In 1992 the music of New York City called me, so I answered by moving there that summer." While living in one of the most exciting cities of the world, Clayton got another once in a life time chance. In April 1993, he started what has been an unbelievable six years of world wide touring and recording with the incomparable Tony Bennett. "Performing with Tony has been a thrilling experience. His love of music and entertaining people has won him countless awards from Grammys to Emmys. I've had the pleasure of recording with Tony on six albums." Each of the albums received Grammy nominations and five of them won the prestigious award. His 1994 Grammy for Album of the Year, "Tony Bennett Unplugged" was unprecedented. It was the first time a live album had won the award. Tony's television show concept, the A & E Channel's Live By Request, was another brainstorm. People loved being able to call in and ask for their favorite song. An Emmy award would follow and so would other artists. Phil Collins and Gloria Estevan among others took on the challenge of the live show format. Along with Tony Bennett Clayton has performed for presidents, royalty, alternative rock crowds, charities and beyond." During Clayton's time with Tony Bennett the group has performed with many great artists including Frank Sinatra and more recently with Billie Joel, Sting, Mariah Carey, Brandy, the Back Street Boys, James Taylor, K. D Lang, Elvis Costello, & Ricky Martin...just to name a few. "Tony has been making music history for 50 years and it's been a blessing being a little part of it!" "In 1997 I created my own personal history. I married my real life muse, Karla DeCay. She's from one of the most musically rich cities in the world, New Orleans. So she understands my chosen profession. Her talents in the corporate business world have inspired me to treat what I do with focus, determination, and humor. I can't believe how lucky I am to have found her in this crazy world. Look for a possible children's book penned by our dynamic duo in the future." For the past few years Clayton Cameron has been logging countless hours on his laptop, from the airplane on the road, hotels and time off between touring Clayton has succeed in creating a ground breaking new book on the elusive art of brushes, Brushworks .
KoSA is extremely honored to welcome back percussion master Jim Chapin. In 1948 Jim Chapin first confounded the profession by passing out to his friends the pilot fifty copies of "book volume I." Young players, while whipping through the exercises, may find it strange to learn that in that pre-historic era the book was greeted with resentment in some quarters, and even called "impossible." There was a basis for this. At that time no ace but Jim could play more than a token bit of what has now become the "classic style" of independence. Since then several generations of conscientious drummers have "paid their dues" with the book and it is now the classic, much-imitated, standard work on the subject. Jim's relationship to Coordinated Independence (his phrase) is roughly analagous to that of Robert Fulton to the steamboat. Jim didn't invent the cymbal rhythm (Fulton didnt invent the boat), nor did he invent the "rhythmic melodies" of jazz. These reached a new plateau in the "bop" era, with the inspired reactions of Kenny Clarke, Max Roach, and Art Blakey, to the music of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, along with other less renowned contributors. (Fulton didn't invent the steam engine.) Jim's achievement was in fusing the two elements into a workable methodology that solved mechanical problems, unlocked doors, and pointed new directions. It is interesting to speculate on how much this book has influenced the techniques and esthetics of jazz playing in the past-bop era. As a matter of fact, the last sections of this book seem to anticipate, more and more as time goes by, facets of the most modem of the rock playing. This hardly seems accidental, and to emphasize this, and to make the book more currently useful in rock, Jim is adding the following suggestions for further studies in this area, He doesnt want to change the book in other respects, as he believes that keeping the foibles and anachronisms of a period, as well as the virtues, provides a charming glimpse of a less sophisticated past, plus a valuable hint as to roots (Even something frankly archaic, like the subtitle " - as applied to Jazz and Be-Bop.") His attitude may be colored by the success of his two-decade dream, the monumental Volume II, "Independence - The Open End" of an extraordinary and wide-ranging achievement.
KoSA is pleased to have the return of Mario De Ciutiis to our faculty. With over 27 years of professional music experience and as principal percussionist for Radio City Music Hall since 1979, Mario has performed literally thousands of shows ranging from Christmas Spectaculars & Liberace Extravaganzas to Silent Movies and Ice Shows. He has performed many Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows in New York and has spent his share of "road-touring" for plays, MIDI clinics and concerts. DeCiutiis can be heard on numerous studio recordings including a Grammy Award winning Children's CD. He has produced many educational music videos for KAT Inc., developed CD-ROMs with percussion instruments for digital samplers and has performed on a wide variety of audio recordings as a drummer and percussionist session player. Since 1986, Mario fulfilled the role of Vice President of KAT Inc., involved in the creation, design, manufacturing and world-wide distribution of KAT electronic controllers. In 1996, he founded Alternate Mode Inc. to continue the KAT product line. His interests now focus on performing on the college and concert circuit, sharing his knowledge of music and technology. Mario believes JUNGLEWIRE is the perfect medium to demonstrate the power, expression and versatility of electronic music.
KoSA welcomes the innovative, entertaining and always educational, Mr. Kenwood Dennard. Kenwood was born in Brooklyn, NY to musician parents, and began playing piano at age 3. He switched to drums at age 8 and the rest is history. Having studied with William Kessler, Choli Simons, Alan Dawson, Gary Chafee, Joe Hunt, the Manhattan School of Music, Nadia Boulanger and more, he graduated from Berklee Magna Cum Laude in 1976. A founding father of NYC's famed Drummer's Collective, Kenwood has taught hundreds of eager students and has performed with the best of the best - Berklee College of Music, Sting, Chet Atkins, Harry Belafonte, George Benson, Art Blakey, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Hiram Bullock, George Clinton, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, etc.
KoSA is very pleased to welcome
the return of Cassio Duarte. Born in Santa Catarina, Southern
Brazil, and raised in Curitiba, Paran·, Cassio started playing in
Marching Bands and neighborhoods Samba Schools at age 13. He moved
to Rio de Janeiro in 1979 to study at the Villa Lobos School of Music,
and also with private instructors in Rio and Bahia (where the Afro Brazilian
roots are "deeper"). For a few years he studied "Social Communications
and Cinema" at ëUniv. Federal Fluminense" in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro.
But the music career was already consolidating. In the early 80's he started
to work with Brazilian stars like Moraes Moreira, ZezÈ Mota, LÈo
Jaime, Jo"o Bosco and Djavan. He also began touring and recording
on many different projects from Theater Plays to TV Shows. His search
for knowledge of different styles brought him to Los Angeles in 1991, where
besides being an active studio musician for film soundtracks and albums,
has worked with Toots Thielemans, Lee Ritenour, Sergio Mendes, Ivan
Lins, Tania Maria, Strunz & Farah, Brenda Russell, Angelique Kidjo,
Googoosh , Paul Winter, Oscar Castro-Neves, Dory Caymmi, Gal Costa and
many others. As an educator had worked at Sangeet School of World
Music; at LAMA - Los Angeles Music Academy; at UCLA Dept. of Ethno-musicology
(as a substitute teacher for Airto Moreira); with the "Ballet Folclorico
do Brazil", bringing Brazilian Culture to kids and adults and as an artist
instructor at KoSA.
Always a favorite KoSA instructor and performer, we welcome the return of the talented, intrepid and always inspiring Dom Famularo. Dom has been preaching the "gospel of drumming" around the world for over 30 years. An intense performer, Dom is one of the most respected solo drum artists in the world, with a career built solely upon his unique, combined skills as a drummer and motivational speaker. He has presented master classes and clinics in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Israel, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, Phillipines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. In addition, he has directed and emceed major drumming expos around the world, and has been one of drumming's most sought-after private instructors for over 30 years. Students regularly fly in from around the globe for intensive study with Dom. A major player in the vibrant percussion industry, Dom acts as Education Director and consultant for Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Premier Percussion Ltd., for whom he oversees programs worldwide.
Vera Figueiredo is a Brazilian drummer, composer, pianist and events producer. She owns and runs one of the most important drums study center in Brazil: the Instituto de Bateria Vera Figueiredo. In 2003, Vera Figueiredo performed at the TUDW - The Ultimate Drummers Weekend, an outstanding drum and percussion event that took place in Melbourne, Australia, with great names of worldwide music such as Thomas Lang (Robbie Williams), Jimmy DeGrasso (Megadeth / Ozzy Osbourne) and John Blackwell (Prince). This event was released in DVD for celebrating the 11th edition of the festival. She also gave private lessons at the Drumtek The Drummers Headquarters Music School located in Melbourne. Besides her huge participation in drum festivals, she's also created one of the most importants drum events, the Batuka! International Drum Fest.
Gary is a native of Syracuse, New York, USA. Mr. France, now living in Australia, performs in a wide range of musical genres. He received his Bachelor of Music degree, Music Education, in 1979, from the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, and his Master of Music degree, Orchestral Performance / Jazz, in 1988 at the University of North Texas. While at UNT Gary became the first percussionist, in the fifty year history of the program, to direct one of the prestigious Jazz Lab Bands. Since settling in Australian in 1987, as the inaugural lecturer in Percussion at the W.A. Conservatorium of Music, Gary France has done much, through his dedicated teaching and performing on a wide range of percussion instruments, to significantly raise the profile of percussion playing in Australia. He is regularly employed by peak music bodies such as the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Australian National Academy of Music to tutor developing percussionists. His former students now hold prominent positions as performers, educators and executives in the music industry both here in Australia and abroad. Since 1998 Mr. France has coordinated and nurtured the Percussion program at the Australian National University. In 2004, Gary France was appointed Head of School at the Australian National University, School of Music. Mr. France has performed with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Nova Ensemble, the West Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestras, the Dallas Brass, the Doddworth Saxhorn Ensemble, the Australian Chamber Orchestra the Canberra Symphony with whom he performed William Kraft's "Concerto for Timpani and orchestra" in 2001. Gary's list of recent world premiers include works by Larry Sitsky, Sir Michael Tippet, Roger Smalley, Ross Edwards, Peter Sculthorpe, Robert Cucinotta, Edward Applebaum and Robert Casteels. As a jazz drummer Gary's list of other musical credits include: James Morrison, Richie Cole, Ricky May, Nat Adderley, Dale Barlow, Jim McNeeley, Urbie Green, Charlie Gabrial, John Clayton, Emily Remler, Peter Leutch, Phil Wilson, Clifford Jordon and numerous others. Gary is also well known as the founder and artistic director of the 18 piece Perth Jazz Orchestra as well as drummer with the nationally acclaimed western swing group Dude Ranch featuring Lucky Oceans. As a clinician for Yamaha Musical Products, the Sabian Cymbal Company and Innovative Percussion Products he has toured internationally presenting masterclasses, concerts and workshops throughout the U.S., China, Australia and New Zealand. His own personal research in world music's has led him to India, Africa and South East Asia. These direct field studies support Gary in his role as director of the ANU World Music Ensemble "DRUMatiX". Under Gary's direction, the ANU percussion program hosted the first Australian National Percussion Symposium in October 2003.
David Friedman, internationally renowned vibraphonist, marimbist, composer and jazz educator, has his own musical message, born of fascinatingly diverse musical influences. Few jazz musicians can claim as broad a spectrum of performing and recording experience, with such varied musical personalities as Leonard Bernstein, Luciano Berio, Bobby McFerrin, Wayne Shorter and Yoko Ono. The list doesn't stop there. Friedman has been heard either live or on recordings with, among others, Joe Henderson, Horace Silver, Johnny Griffin, Jane Ira Bloom, Ron Carter and John Scofield. His compositions are featured on Chet Baker's award winning Enja release, Peace, with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Joe Chambers. Friedman is also the featured soloist on this recording. In 1977, Friedman co-founded the unique vibe-marimba quartet, Double Image, which was nominated for a german "Grammy". Their album, "Double Image", was just re-released as a special edition by Enja Records. Friedman's Enja release Shades of Change, with pianist Gerry Allen, bassist Anthony Cox and drummer Ronnie Burrage, was voted by Downbeat Magazine as "One of the year's best 20 CD". Friedman's trio playing with star drummer Daniel Humair and bassist J.F. Jenny-Clarke, documented on their 1992 live release Ternaire, showcases modern, interactive jazz improvisation, ranging from an agressive driving swing to tender lyricism. As a leader in percussion and jazz education, David Friedman heads the Jazz department at the Hochschule der Kuenste in Berlin, Germany. As Professor of Jazz studies since 1989. He is also the author of Mirror From Another, Warners Bros. Publications, a collection of pedagogical etudes for the vibraphone and Vibraphone Technique, Dampening and Pedaling, Berklee Press Publications, distributed by Hal Leonard. Mallet players and percussionists worldwide consider this work to be the most important book on the art of phrasing for the vibraphone. Friedman is a devoted teacher and an inspiration to his students, while still an active performer and composer. One of Friedman's recent projects is a synthesis of american jazz and ethnic improvisation, featuring bandoneonist Dino Saluzzi, Astor Piazzola's heir to modern tango, and the gifted american bassist Anthony Cox. This1996 CD release, "Rios", on Intuition Records, has been called "a true work of art" by the Chicago Tribune. Perhaps the most unique of Friedman's accomplishments to date is a solo mallet recording, utilizing multiple vibe and marimba overdubs, creating richly textured soundscapes. This is the first recording of its kind ever done by a mallet performer and is aptly entitled, "Air Sculpture", on Traumton Records. Jazz Friends Review writes: "This music is made of the same fabric dreams are made of. This daring recording is riveting." Germany's Die Woche calls "Air Sculpture" " a humble masterpiece!". riedman's newest project "Other Worlds" is a trio with an instrumentation and sound all its own, featuring the exciting french accordianist Jean Louis Matinier and the brilliant american bass virtuoso Anthony Cox. Their new CD "Other Worlds", was recorded in November 1996 for Intuition Records and released in December 1997. It's a spellbinding musical journey, featuring original compositions and improvisational dialogues of incredible depth and beauty. Jazzthetik remarks: "You feel your ears being drawn to the speakers as if by magic! Other Worlds is a true musical adventure". In addition to "Other Worlds" , Friedman still finds time for special projects, such as being the featured guest soloist with the NDR Big Band in December 1996, in a program of his original compositions. He's also still touring and recording regularly with Double Image, the highly original, ground breaking mallet duo, with his partner of 20 years, Dave Samuels. Sponsored by Yamaha, they just completed a successful 3 1/2 week tour of the United States, culminating in a standing ovation 20th anniversary concert at the November 1997 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Anaheim, California. Also sponsored by Yamaha, Friedman's masterclasses are in demand throughout the world. Whether playing solo, in duo with Dave Samuels, Jasper van't Hof or Jon Taylor, or with his new trio Other Worlds, David Friedman breathes long, fluid, angular phrases into his solos, moving well beyond his instruments' technical limitations. His compositions are the language of harmonic and rhythmic richness with just a touch of irony. His goal is, after all, to communicate.
We are priviledged to welcome the return of KoSA favorite Gordon Gottlieb, fresh from his recent "Late Night with David Letterman" presentation of the timpani, accompanying the long heralded visit of Oprah Winfrey to the Late Night program. Musically speaking, Gordon Gottlieb is a musical genious of many hats: As a percussionist in the jazz, rock, and world-music arenas, he has performed with Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis,Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Sarah Vaughan, Paula Abdul, Paul Winter and Michael Bolton. Gottlieb has also recorded with many notable musicians including Sting, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Carly Simon, and Ravi Shankar. As an orchestral percussionist, he has shared the stage with the London Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, and now performs and tours extensively with the New York Philharmonic. As an educator, his teaching credits include The Juilliard School (his current post) and Yale University. And because of his special interest in Brazilian rhythms, Gottlieb is also affiliated with Imperio Serrano Escola de Samba, one of Rio de Janiero's many "samba schools". Gottlieb has recorded soundtracks for more than 130 feature films, and in 1989 he won the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences award for Most Valuable Player. His playing is nicely showcased on the following recordings: Marianne Faithful's "Secret Life", Grace Jones' "Bulletproof Heart" and Steely Dan's "Two Against Nature. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Gottlieb began music lessons at age 12 - on piano at first, then drums, and eventually percussion. His early playing was shaped by the Top 40 drummers of the day; later, however, he studied with Saul Goodman, timpanist for the New York Philharmonic, who became an important influence. Gottlieb went on to attend the pre-college, college, and graduate school divisions of The Juilliard School.
Born in Cleveland Ohio, Percussionist/Drummer Jamey Haddad holds a unique position in the world of Jazz and Contemporary Music. Since 1991 Jamey has performed in the working bands of Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Alan Farnham, The Paul Winter Consort, Carly Simon and Betty Buckley. Performing with the great oud players/composers, Rabih Abou Khalil and Simon Shaheen in the Mid East. Haddad's musical voice transcends styles and trends, and the universal quality of his playing has attracted many international collaborations. Most recently Haddad performed with long time musical associate saxophonist Joe Lovano for a duet concert in New York city, followed by a trip to the Mideast with oud and violinist Simon Shaheen. For over ten years fellow percussionist / composer Steve Shehan has invited Haddad to collaborate on numerous projects most recently to Paris and Caracas with the great Touareg musician Baly Othmani. In 1992 Haddad was invited
by composer Richard Horowitz and the Moroccan Government to help develop
and perform compositions with 10 different Berber and Ganawan groups for
a Crown Performance at the 1992 Worlds Fair in Seville, Spain. Haddad was
also one of two Americans to perform in "World Drums" at the 1988 Olympics
in Calgary, Canada and again at the 1988 Worlds Fair in Brisbane Australia,
over 250 Percussionist from 25 Countries were invited. Other recent performances
include touring Austria with bassist Peter Herbert.
Haddad has recently completed a Book and supporting Video on the subject of internalizing your personal rhythm. The observations and lessons found in "Global Standard Time" are addressed to any musician looking to strengthen their perceptions of levels of time and rhythms, and the grooves they dance in.
KoSA is very please to welcome back Giovannie Hidalgo. Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest congueros of our time, Puerto Rican born LP artist, Giovanni Hidalgo, began playing percussion at the age of five. Born into a family of musicians, Giovanni first played on a set of congas handcrafted by his father, the great Jose "Maneñgue" Hidalgo. He also practiced on other percussion instruments, developing the lightning precision technique for which he is noted today. Giovanni first became popular outside of Puerto Rico in the early eighties when traveling to Cuba to work with the group Batacumbele, in which he forged his life-long friendship with Changuito . Hidalgo soon after appeared on Batacumele's debut album, which has subsequently become a cult favorite. Featuring his incredible hand-drumming technique, the album shot Giovanni to instant prominence. Inspired by his method, Cuban musicians incorporated it into their own, hybrid musical style called Songo. While performing with Eddie Palmieri in New York, Giovanni forged another life-long friendship, this time with Dizzy Gillespie, with whom he toured in 1988 as a member of Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra. He has also toured extensively with Tito Puente and Mickey Hart's Planet Drum, and has performed with the likes of Dave Valentin, Paquito d'Rivera, and Carlos Santana. A noted session player, Giovanni has recorded with numerous distinguished musicians, including Freddy Hubbard, Paul Simon and Mickey Hart. In 1992, Giovanni accepted a teaching position at the Berklee college of Music in Boston. That same year, he released his first solo album, Villa Hidalgo, following it up with Worldwide in 1993. His collaborative effort with pianist, Michel Camilo, Hands of Rhythm, released in 1997, was nominated for a Grammy award in The Best Latin Jazz category. An unrivaled performer, whose skill and technique are admired by percussionists around the world, Giovanni is constantly evolving as a musician. His style is a melding of Latin, jazz, and folkloric influences, delivered in his signature nimble handed fashion. In 2000, The Conga Kings, comprised of himself, Candido Camero, and Patato Valdez, was released; the follow up in 2001 was Jazz Descargas.
A World Percussion Specialist & Master Drum Circle Facilitator, Kalani is also a keynote presenter, speaker, clinician, performer, author, and educator. He is a consultant for Peripole-Bergerault Educational Instruments, The House of Blues foundation, and other state and national arts advocacy organizations. His company, Kalani Music, is an approved continuing education provider for music educators, music therapists and health care professionals and offers levels training in Drum Circle MusicT facilitation. He continues to develop instruments and accessories in association with several of the music industries top companies. Kalani teaches children and adults in the Los Angeles area and abroad. He has performed and/or recorded with such music legends as Kenny Loggins, David Sanborn, Max Roach, Barry Manilow, Vic Damone, John Mayall, Chante Moore, Dr. John, Michael Kamen, Melissa Manchester and is the featured percussionist on the Yanni - Live at the Acropolis video and CD. He is featured on recordings for Disney, Warner Brothers, Tri-Star Pictures, Paramount Studios, The Nature Company and Jim Hensen Records. He has presented at several MENC state and regional conferences including Georgia, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, California, Virginia and Rhode Island. He has been a featured clinician and speaker at the Taipei Percussion Institute, The International Percussion Festival (Belgium), The World Rhythm Festival (Seattle), several Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, the International Music Products Industry (NAMM) conference, the American Orff Schulwerk convention, and the American Music Therapy Association National and Western regional conferences. Kalani received his Bachelor of Music degree from California State University Northridge and is a certified (level III) Orff Schulwerk specialist. He has received numerous awards from DRUM! Magazine for his work as a performing artist, percussion clinician and drum circle facilitator.
Originally hailing from Belfast,
Northern Ireland, drummer Mark Kelso has made Toronto, Canada his home
for quite some time. Mark's ability to play a wide variety of musical styles
has helped him become one of Canada's most sought after drummers.
An all around player, Mark has worked with Gino Vannelli, Molly Johnson,
Holly Cole, Folk legend Ian Tyson, Peter Murphy ( Bauhaus ) Amanda Marshall,
Matt Dusk, Amy Sky, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Donny Osmond, Shirley
Eikhard, Hilario Duran, Paquito D'Rivera, Jesse Cook, The Montuno Police,
Jane Bunnett, Soul Stew, Carol Welsman, Gordie Sampson, Emilie-Claire Barlow,
Joe Sealy, Marc Jordan and Shania Twain. His latest CD entitled "Lost
Kingdoms" is an exciting blend of African, Brazilian, Celtic and Pop influences.
Mark is currently the head of the percussion department at Humber College.
KoSA welcomes the return of Taiko Master Marco Lienhard. Marco, a native of Switzerland, was a member of the internationally acclaimed Taiko group Ondekoza from 1981-1994. While touring as a professional Taiko player in Japan, he studied the Shakuhachi under Masters Teruo Furuya and Katsuya Yokoyama, quickly becoming a virtuoso solo artist. Lienhard also studied the Fue and the Nohkan (Noh theater flute) with Masayuki Isso. Lienhard has performed over 3000 concerts in Europe, Asia and North America with appearances at some of the world's most prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Boston Symphony Hall, Osaka Castle Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Center and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. He has contributed to movies, documentaries and CDs, has done several recordings with Ondekoza, Taikoza and has two critically acclaimed Shakuhachi recordings. Marco Lienhard has appeared on many TV shows including the Regis and Kathie Lee Show, the PBS special "A World of Performances" (the 20th Anniversary Gala of Wolf Trap), a documentary for Canadian National TV, MTV and NBC's 1998 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He was the featured Shakuhachi player in the American premiere of the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" with the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center. Marco has been actively teaching the Shakuhachi, Taiko and Fue in New York and around the world including workshops at the Kosa International Percussion Workshops in Vermont and bi-annual Taiko conferences in California.
Aldo Mazza is an internationally-recognized
drummer-percussionist, recording artist, clinician, and educator.
"Tiger" Bill Meligari is an internationally recognized drummer, educator, clinician, author, and publisher with more than 30 years experience. In-demand as a drumset technical specialist, Bill travels the country educating others in his Tension-Free system of drumming. His book "Double Drum: A Double Bass Drum Text" has received praise from master percussionists around the world, including Louie Bellson and Roy Haynes. Bill's DVD on "Hand Technique" features his proprietary Tension-Free approach along with techniques used by the legendary masters of drumming. A WFD Champ, Tiger Bill is officially ranked as one of the World's Fastest Drummers in regard to both hand and foot speed by the World's Fastest Drummer (WFD) organization. To this honor, Bill credits his Tension-Free approach to drumming. Over the years, Bill has been featured with a variety of artists in all styles of music from Jazz with Thad Jones to Classic Rock with Vince Martell (original lead guitarist of the Vanilla Fudge). In addition to his work as Webmaster and original content provider of his popular drum and percussion Web site "TigerBill's DrumBeat" at www.TigerBill.com, Bill is the resident Drum Expert at Musicians.About.com and publishes a popular monthly video Drum Lesson column for the DRUM! Magazine Web site. He has also contributed numerous articles to many of the major percussion publications including Modern Drummer Magazine. Tiger Bill is endorsed by Sabian, Promark, Pintech, HansenFutz, Axis, Drumometer and Thumpers.
Allan Molnar currently resides in New York City where he teaches at Brooklyn College and freelances in the music profession. Prior to moving to New York, Allan was very active as a vibraphonist, percussionist and educator in Toronto, Canada. His experiences include many live and recorded performances in a variety of genres including jazz (Glen Hall, Roswell Rudd, Phil Nimmons), Latin (Vibrason, Con-Cache) and pop (Nelly Furtado, Jarvis Church). Allan co-produced Glen Hall's "Hallucinations" CD which is currently available on Leo Records (London, England). The latest Glen Hall-Allan Molnar production is entitled "The Roswell Incident" and features "OutSource" along with the legendary trombonist Roswell Rudd as guest soloist. Allan is also in-demand as a session player and has contributed work to a diverse range of projects including Dreamworks Records recording artist Nelly Furtado's debut album "Whoa Nelly" and "Shake it Off" by Jarvis Church. "Whoa Nelly" has sold more than 5,000,000 copies world-wide and is the recipient of 4 JUNO awards and a GRAMMY. In July and August '03 Allan traveled to Los Angeles and Toronto to record a number of tracks for Nelly Furtado's "Folklore." This CD was nominated for 5 Juno awards.
Percussionist, vocalist, composer Valerie Dee Naranjo, known for her pioneering efforts on West African keyboard percussion is a Coloradoan of Ute (Native American) descent. In 1988 her playing of the gyil's traditional repertoire led to the declaration of a chiefly decree in the Dagara nation that women be allowed to play the instrument for the first time. She plays percussion and arranges for the Saturday Night Live Band and has recorded and performed with Broadway's The Lion King, The Philip Glass Ensemble, David Byrne, The Paul Winter Consort, Tori Amos, Airto Moreira, and the international percussion ensemble, MEGADRUMS, which includes Milton Cardona, Zakir Hussein, and Glen Velez. On six continents she endorses Avedis Zildjian (Cymbals) Pearl/Adams (Latin and Concert Percussion) and Vic Firth products. Recent film score recordings include Final Fantasy - The Dream Within and Frida. Her work and music have been written about in Modern Drummer, Drum!, Rhythm, Percussive Notes, and World Percussion Rhythm. She has recorded several CDs of traditional gyil music with Kakraba Lobi and Barry Olsen, and the CD Zie Mwea with Bernard Woma. Her solo Native American CD Orenda (Music to Heal the Spirit) is on the Ellipsis Arts Label, and her series of nine written transcriptions and CD, West African Music for the Marimba Soloist, is published by Mandara Music. Ms. Naranjo holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in music education performance and ethnomusicology, and has apprenticed with some of America's and West Africa's strictest master percussionists, including Leigh Howard Stevens, Gordon Stout, Dave Samuels, Ladji Kamara, Godwin Agbeli, and Adama Drame. She continues to spend summers in Ghana to further her gyil study with Maestro Kakraba Lobi.
KoSA is very pleased to welcome
Bernard Purdie. Bernard was born June 11, 1939 in Elkton, Maryland as the
eleventh of fifteen children. Purdie began already as a six-year-old to
bang out rhythms on improvised equipment. At 14 years of age he purchased
his first real drum set and became the most important provider for the
family - earning his pay with country and carnival bands. This "schooling"
enabled Purdie to "feel my way into nearly every kind of music, 'cause
I had to know all styles and was never afraid to try something new."
Which musician did Aretha Franklin definitely NOT want missing from the line-up when she recorded her most inspired albums at the beginning of the seventies? Who provided the back-beat for Steely Dan's "Aja", and for whom have Isaac Hayes, Donny Hathaway, B.B. King, "Sweet" Lou Donaldson, Joe Cocker and Hank Crawford reserved that stool behind the drum kit? The list is incomplete, it must be, because no other drummer in the last three decades has seen the interior of a recording studio as often as Bernard "Pretty" Purdie. The 57 year-old native of Elkton, Maryland has laid down the beat on over 3000 albums to date. This short list does however, prove an idea of the unique qualities this man possesses. Colleagues describe the drummer's style as the "funkiest soul beat" in the business, and Purdie has decidedly never limited his talents to the realm of jazz but rather has consistently sought out new musical experiences beyond it's borders. He has anchored sessions with the Rolling Stones, James Brown and Tom Jones with equal ease and proven that - with all his attention to precision playing - terms such as "drive" and "GROOVE" are definitely not missing from his vocabulary. This is certainly why his rhythms have appeared as samples on nearly every "Acid Jazz" record released in the past few years - the new genre that has so successfully hosted the renaissance of Soul Jazz. Furthermore because it is a special pleasure to personally harvest the fruits from trees one has planted oneself - Purdie has now gathered together a flock of like-minded souls and created the new album - "Soul To Jazz". It will certainly, so much can be sure, stun those who seek to copy his style - if not completely draw their attention. These 13 songs prove that the pioneer of the hybrid of blend of Jazz, Soul and Funky Tunes is still light years ahead of his imitators.
We are always pleased when
Lou Robinson, KoSA's original mad didgeridoo player, is available for another
thrilling week at the International Percussion Workshop. Lou is a
long time player, teacher and proponent of the didgeridoo with its haunting
sound and ability to reconnect us to the earth and it's natural values
and
Lou first lived in Australia in the early 1970's and though he traveled widely and had contact with aboriginal culture, his exposure to the didgeridoo didn't occur until 1986. After a six month stay in 1988 he returned to the US and the following year began importing didgeridoos and introducing his new passion to an ever expanding number of people who found the same connection between the didgeridoo and their inner selves. Since then Lou has introduced the didgeridoo to literally thousands of people. From 1988 when he first started buying didgeridoos and arts and crafts from an aboriginal cooperative to his recent 5 week trip to Australia to hand select another supply of wonderful instruments, Lou has supported aboriginal efforts to save their traditional culture. He has as well sponsored and supported touring Australian Aboriginal artists and performers in the US. He has been fortunate enough to have spent time and studied with Alastair Black, creator of Yidaki-doo, the incomparable virtuoso Alan Dargin, and the venerable David Blanasi, the late ambassador of didgeridoo who took the instrument from Arnhem Land to the world. He spends a fair amount of time each year teaching 'the didj' to others, passing on the tradition. He is an indisputable KoSA tradition. He brings much more than a master's knowledge of the instrument to the annual Workshop and is a favorite of KoSA participants.
KoSA welcomes back the experience, talent and wonderful teaching of Jeff Salisbury. Jeff has played for Albert King and Cold Blood, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Linda Tillery and many other artists in rhythm and blues, and jazz. He is an original faculty member of Kosa International Percussion workshops and has served as president of the Vermont Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. He has appeared in Modern Drummer and Downbeat magazines and his articles have been published by Modern Drummer Publications and the Percussive Arts Society. (Four articles by Jeff appear on the PAS website). He has been involved as an artistic advisor for the Discover Jazz Festival, a faculty member for the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts Summer Jazz Camps and was commissioned by the Flynn to compose and perform original percussion quartet music in 2003. He has performed on many recordings, jingles, workshops and clinics. Jeff has studied with George Marsh, Bob Moses and Pete Magadini. He endorses DW drums and hardware and is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team.
Antonio Sanchez was born
in Mexico City November 1st, 1971. At age five, he discoreved an irresistible
attraction towards the drumset. After a few years of private study he started
performing in a wide variety of musical situations ranging from rock to
jazz and latin to fusion with several bands in Mexico City's music scene.
At age seventeen he enrolled in the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico
City where he pursued a degree in classical piano and composition. Besides
his instrumetal studies he completed courses on traditional harmony, counterpoint,
arranging, vocal ensembles and composition while keeping busy with intensive
drum practice. In 1993, after four and a half years of study at the mexican
institution, he earned a scholarship to pursue Jazz Studies at Berklee
College of Music in Boston, where he had the chance to study jazz arranging,
improvisation, jazz composition, ear training, harmony and solfege among
other music related courses. During his 4 year tenure at Berklee he studied
with teachers who had extensive resumes in the international jazz scene
like Kenwood Dennard, Casey Scheurell, Jamey Hadad, Victor Mendoza, John
Ramsay, Ed Uribe, Hal Crook, and Bill Pierce among others. Antonio remained
very active in Boston's musical community performing and recording while
finishing up his studies at Berklee. He became the first call drummer for
some of New England's most active recording studios where he recorded for
a wide variety of artists and producers. He also had the privilege of playing
with Boston-based most renowned musicians like Gary Burton, Mick Goodrick
and Danilo Perez among others. After graduating Magna Cum Laude he obtained
a scholarship for a Masters in Jazz Improvisation at the New England Conservatory
in Boston where he studied with George Garzone and Danilo Perez among other
teachers. A few months into his studies at the Conservatory, Paquito D'Rivera
called Mr. Perez for advice on someone for the drum chair in Dizzy Gillespie's
United Nation Orchestra (which Mr. D'Rivera had taken over after the great
trumpet player's passing). Antonio was the first recommendation that came
to mind. The Orchestra embarked on a long tour which catapulted Sanchez
into the international jazz scene. Later that year, it was Mr. Perez who
required Antonio's talents to be a part of his acoustic trio. They toured
extensively for a couple of years and recorded the Grammy nominated album
"Motherland". During a double bill concert in Europe which included Perez's
trio playing opposite Pat Metheny's trio, the legendary guitarist took
notice in Antonio's drumming. After a few months of auditions he got offered
the drum chair of the Pat Metheny Group for their upcoming recordings and
tours.
Marie-Josée Simard was introduced to the vibraphone at the age of eleven and completed her training at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, where she was the first woman in the school's history to be awarded First Prize in Percussion. As well as perfecting her skills in London under the direction of James Blades and Michael Skinner, she also studied with the famous marimbist Leigh Howard Stevens in New York. Over the past two decades, her musicianship has attracted the attention of many composers, concert organizers and has elicited a great deal of public interest. Love of innovation has led Ms. Simard to premiere nearly 25 works written specifically for her, and has inspired her to transcribe a wide body of work - in order to broaden the repertoire available for her three favourite instruments: the marimba, xylophone and vibraphone. Her music is frequently heard on the CBC, and her six recorded albums clearly demonstrate her ability to interpret contemporary music as well as the compositions of other eras. Marie-Josée Simard has been guest soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the Gala Concert (in honour of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh) on their visit to Canada,and she has also represented Canada at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Marie-Josée Simard has earned a well-deserved reputation as an exceptional percussionist. For 25 years, she has performed in Canada, Mexico, Paris, New York, Poland, Belgium, Korea and China. She is recognized nationally and internationally as an accomplished artist and teacher. Ms. Simard instructs at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal.
Ed Soph's career spans forty years as a performer, recording artist, author, and teacher. Ed attended the University of North Texas (1963 - 1968) and studied drum set with the master teacher, Tommy Gwin. He occupied the drum chair in the prestigious "1:00 Lab Band" during his five years at North Texas and worked steadily in the clubs and recording studios of Dallas. He also toured with the Stan Kenton Orchestra the summer of 1966. Upon graduation in 1968, thanks to the recommendation of the great alto saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Ed joined Woody Herman's "Thundering Herd". He toured internationally with Mr. Herman's band, making a number of recordings, among which is the Grammy winning album, Giant Steps. Moving to New York City in the early 70's, Ed began an association with legendary trumpeter Clark Terry that continues today. He also worked with pianist Bill Evans, vibraphonist Gary Burton, saxophonists Lee Konitz, Joe Henderson, and David Liebman and with vocalists Chris Connor, Vic Damone, and Joe Williams. Ed resided on the East Coast until the late 1980's at which time he moved to Denton, Texas where today he is Associate Professor of Music at the University of North Texas. He continues to perform and record extensively, most notably in a group co-led with trumpeter Marvin Stamm. They have released two CDs, The Stamm-Soph Project in 2003 (With pianist Bill Mays, bassist Rufus Reid, and guest saxophonist David Liebman.), and Live At Birdland (2005) with guest guitarist, John Abercrombie. Ed also tours with a trio that includes pianist Stefan Karlsson and bassist Tom Warrington. The trio has recorded three critically acclaimed CDs on the Troppe Note label. Other freelance recordings include CDs with trumpeter Bobby Shew, trombonists Carl Fontana and Jiggs Whigham, and saxophonists Joe Henderson and David Liebman. Ed is the author of three books and co-author of the acclaimed instructional video, THE DRUMSET: A MUSICAL APPROACH. His most recent book is MUSICAL TIME (Carl Fischer). There is also an instructional DVD of the same title from the same publisher. Ed has presented master classes in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout Europe as well as innumerable clinics and workshops, music festivals, and conferences throughout the United States and Canada. His insights into rhythmic improvisation, the art of practicing, stylistic concepts, technical principles, and fundamental aspects of musicality on the drum set make his presentations uniquely informative, practical, and entertaining. Ed endorses and performs on Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Innovative Percussion (Ed Soph Signature Model drumsticks), and Evans drumheads.
KoSA welcomes back the incredible insight, energy and talent of Rick Van Horn. As Senior Editor of Modern Drummer Magazine, Rick knows drum, percussion and the people who play them on a first name basis. Rick has also played professionally for forty-five years. In his two decades with MD, Rick has written hundreds of Club Scene columns, along with a best-selling book on the subject of being a working drummer. He has been an insider in nearly every percussion-product manufacturer around the world, and has actively participated and explored the drumming scenes in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and Branson. Rick also coordinates the Modern Drummer Festival Weekend. A KoSA favorite, Rick's classes, which often include a "test drive" of his colossal drum and cymbal setups are an annual tradition not to be missed!
KoSA welcomes back frame
drumming master and KoSA Alumnus Glen Velez. Glen Velez is often
globe-trotting on an international touring schedule which has taken him
to six continents. Recently voted "Best Percussionist of the Yeaf" with
a 2001 Drummies award by DRUM! Magazine, Velez has emerged as an international
soloist and seminal figure in the history of the frame drum. Over two decades
ago he brought a new genre of drumming into the Western music world by
creating his own compositional style inspired by years of drumming studies
from various cultures. He introduced Remo Belli and the Remo Drum Company
to the world of frame drums and initiated, what has become, a whole line
of drums from world cultures.
Michael
Wimberley
KoSA 2006 is pleased to welcome the return of Michael Wimberly. Drummer/Percussionist Michael Wimberly has said of his previous work with Wilber Morris that "Wilber and I have a truly organic rhythmic union." He adds "musical telepathy is crucial in the rhythm section in this type of music." Wimberly's purview of musical inter-action is wide. As a drummer/percussionist Michael has performed/recorded and toured with artist such as the Paul Winter Consort and Mamma Tongue, jazz artist Steve Coleman, Teramasa Hino, Jean Paul Bourelly, David Murray and Chares Gayle, rock artists Henry Rollins, Blondie, Mickey Hart and Vernon Reid, R&B artists D'Angelo, Alyson Williams Angie Stone and funk legends George Clinton and the Parliament Funkedelics. As a composer Michael has created commissioned scores for some of New York's most acclaimed dance companies including, Urban Bush Women, Joffrey Ballet, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Philadanco, Forces of Nature Dance Theatre Co., Ailey II, Complexions and The National Song and Dance Company of Mozambique. Television scores include "Atlantic City Lights" for HBO. "A World of Music" for Annenberg/PBS. "Calliope Corner" for USA network. Full-length independent feature film "As An Act Of Protest", by Dennis Leroy Moore. As musical director for the Los Angeles Multi-Cultural Prism Awards, Michael has composed, conducted, produced and sound designed this event for 9 years. The Prism Awards has bestowed well-deserved honors on entrepreneurs, civic leaders and corporate citizens who are distinguished by their success and commitment to diversity. Celebrities who have received this honor include, George Duke, Sheila E, Ludacris, Public Enemy and Cash Money among others. Michael has taught African percussion at Drummers Collective since 1994 and conducted numerous workshops throughout America, Europe and Africa. Michael holds both a BA in Music from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory and a Masters Degree in Music from Manhattan School of Music. For 2006 the KoSA Rhythm section features KoSA Alumnus Rafael Alcala (Berklee), Steve Blair (JSC) and Jennifer Vincent. |
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