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Drum Set
Carmine Appice (www.carmineappice.com) "Carmine Appice set the foundation for heavy drumming.before Bonham, before Ian Paice.before anyone else."-Rick Van Horn, Modern Drummer As drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice set the grooves for the groundbreaking band's 1967 psychedelic debut, inadvertently inventing Stoner Rock in the process. The Fudge had no precedent. The band was totally unique. No rock group, up until that point, had ever so lugubriously s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d out well-known pop tunes like the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" and "Ticket To Ride," Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready," Sonny & Cher's "Bang Bang" Rod Argent's "She's Not There" and, most famously, The Supremes' Motown classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On" to such hippie heights. With Mark Stein's mysterioso wash of Grand Guignol keyboard theatrics, Tim Bogert's amazing and trippy bass runs, and guitarist Vince Martell's era-happy soloing, Appice boomed like no other drummer in rock history. Their debut album still stands today as a Hard Rock classic. Vanilla Fudge went on to tour with Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and even had Led Zeppelin as an opening act. Post-Fudge, Bogert and Appice formed Cactus (seen as an influence on King's X and Van Halen). Post-Cactus, the rhythm section found Grammy-winning Guitar Hero Jeff Beck to form the first supergroup: Beck, Bogert & Appice (BBA). One of the premier showmen in rock, Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances, in addition to becoming a highly sought-after session drummer, recording with countless artists throughout his career. In '76, he joined Rod Stewart's band, touring, recording and writing two of Stewart's biggest hits, "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" and "Young Turks." He left Stewart to record his first solo album, Rockers, and tour Japan and North America with an allstar band. In the early '80s, he formed King Kobra for two Capitol albums and international touring. In the late '80s, he formed Blue Murder with Whitesnake's John Sykes and The Firm's Tony Franklin. In the early '90s, he pounded away soul-style for The Edgar Winter Group. As an educator, Carmine was the first to legitimize rock drumming with his landmark book, The Realistic Rock Drum Method, selling over 300,000 copies (now in video format). He was the first rock drummer to conduct instructional clinics and symposiums around the world, a tradition he continues. In appreciation for his universal appeal, Los Angeles was one of four cities that have had "Carmine Appice Day." In '91, he was forever immortalized via his induction in cement to the Hollywood's Rock Walk (next to his idols, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich). As a true artist, Carmine stretches the limits of his talents, always pursuing new experiences with a broad spectrum of musicians. His high standards have earned him the respect of the world's most admired performers as well as captivating the loyalty of legions of fans. He has reshaped the path of music education, redesigned the very instrument he plays, and recreates excitement with every performance. Carmine is currently working on The Carmine Appice Project's Six-String Heroes, a momentous event that will include some of the greatest six-string practitioners at the height of their art. <<back to top of page >>
Gregg Bissonette (www.greggbissonette.com) Gregg Bissonette is best known for his ability to play in a wide variety of styles. Gregg has played with Joe Satriani, Gino Vannelli, Tania Maria, Brian Wilson, Robin Zander, David Lee Roth, Ringo Starr, James Taylor, Toto, Ray Charles, Don Henley, Santana and many others. One highlight of his career was being invited to perform on the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert and video. In 2006, Gregg released the award-winning 2-disc DVD Musical Drumming in Different Styles (Hudson Music) and also has two other instructional videos, Private Lesson and Playing, Reading and Soloing With A Band. Gregg also has two solo CDs, Gregg Bissonette and Submarine, that he did with his brother Matt. During 2003 and 2005, Gregg had the "honor and thrill" of performing with Ringo Starr in promotional tours for the albums Ringo Rama and Choose Love. Gregg played on Larry Carlton's and Steve Lukather's CD No Substitutions, recorded live in Osaka, Japan, which won the Grammy for "Best Pop Instrumental Album" in 2002. He also played on Santana's Grammy-winning album Supernatural, including the tune "El Farol" which was named "Best Pop Instrumental" at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Gregg Bissonette uses and endorses Mapex drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, Remo heads, DW pedals, LP accessories, and Shure microphones. <<back to top of page >>
John
Riley (JohnRiley.org)
Grammy award winning recording artist, John Riley, is enjoying a stellar career as a jazz drummer, including concerts and recordings with artists such as John Scofield, Mike Stern, Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz and Miles Davis. John began playing drums at age eight, after receiving a snare drum as a gift. With the support, encouragement and patience of his parents, John and Mary Ann, he played in the school band and began drum lessons with a good local teacher, Tom Sicola. While under Tom's guidance, he gained control of the snare drum through work on the rudiments and reading. Eventually, he acquired a complete drumset and lessons expanded to include "beats of the day," coordination and reading studies for the drumset. At age twelve, John began playing in rock bands and heard his first jazz recordings, the soundtrack to The Gene Krupa Story and Max Roach's Conversation. Two years later, he played his first "professional" gig, which he obtained through an audition played over the telephone. John began studying with Joe Morello in 1971, after meeting him at a drum symposium. John went on to attend the University of North Texas, where he was introduced to a larger world of music and percussion. While at UNT, he played in, toured, and recorded with the famed One O'clock Lab Band. In 1976, he moved to New York City and was soon called to join the Woody Herman Band. Following that great experience, John returned to New York and began freelancing with a wide spectrum of world class musicians including Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Bob Mintzer, Gary Peacock, Mike Stern, Joe Lovano, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, John Patitucci, Bob Berg, and many others. John has a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music in jazz studies from Manhattan School of Music. He currently performs regularly with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bob Mintzer, Jon Faddis and Joe Lovano. John is on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music and SUNY-Purchase and has written three critically acclaimed books about jazz drumming - "The Art of Bop Drumming," "Beyond Bop Drumming" and "The Jazz Drummer's Workshop." He is also a winner of the 2004 and 2005 Modern Drummer Magazine Readers Poll. <<back to top of page >>
Jim Chapin (Author) (jimchapin.com) KoSA is extremely honored to welcome back much beloved percussion master Jim Chapin. In 1948 Jim Chapin first confounded the profession by passing out to his friends 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 percussion 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 Jim 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 rock techniques. This could be underscored by the success of the monumental Volume II, "Independence - The Open End" of an extraordinary and wide-ranging achievement. Jim Chapin is not only a legend, but an example of how one person's dedication and pursuit of knowledge can actually be considered a "standard." <<back to top of page >>
Mike Clark ( Herbie Hancock) (WEB) Mike Clark has gained worldwide recognition as one of America's foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters in the early 1970's. He became known as a major innovator through his incisive playing on Hancock's album Thrust which garnered him an international cult following. He has performed extensively throughout the US, Europe and Asia, and at all the major jazz festivals of the world. A faculty member of Drummers Collective, Mike has appeared at college clinics throughout the world, and has been featured in Downbeat, Musician, International Musician & Recording World, Modern Drummer, Jazz Times, Guitar Player, Jazziz and many jazz history and method books. Regarded as one of the most sampled drummers around, Mike's beats are respected by producers, deejays, musicians and audiences of all generations. His tracks have been sampled by musicians as diverse as NWA, Grandmaster Flash, Janet Jackson, De la Soul, Christine Aguilera, Prince and many others. His touring band Prescription Renewal debuted in the winter of 2000 and electrified audiences across the country with an eclectic core of cross generational multi talents such as Charlie Hunter, Fred Wesley, Skerik, Robert Walter, and DJ Logic. Special guests were often featured such as George Porter Jr. of Funky Meters' fame, Kyle Hollingsworth of String Cheese Incident, Les Claypool, Will Bernard, Larry Goldings and fellow Headhunters alumni, Bill Summers. Touring concurrently that year and the next was the Roots Funk All Stars, another hot ad hoc association that paired Mike with James Brown trombonist Fred Wesley, former Headhunter cohort and bass legend Paul Jackson, organist Dr. Lonnie Smith and guitar virtuoso Robben Ford. Mike remains active with The Headhunters, Prescription Renewal, his jazz band and as a special guest with many of the best musicians in the world. With his vast contributions to music and drumming, he continues to influence yet another generation of young musicians as he has in the past while working to constantly further the evolution of music. <<back to top of page >>
Joe Bergamini (www.joebergamini.com) Joe Bergamini maintains a diverse career as a drumming performer and educator. Enjoying various styles of playing, he is most well-known for his progressive rock drumming in the bands Happy the Man and 4Front. As a New Jersey native who grew up immersed in the New York City music scene, moving into work on Broadway seemed a natural progression for Joe. After performing in both the New York and national tour productions of the Billy Joel musical Movin' Out, he is now working at the hit show Jersey Boys. For 11 years Joe was the drummer in the popular New York City area band Power Windows, and has performed and recorded with many other artists as a sideman. Recognized internationally as an educator, Joe has given hundreds of drum clinics in schools, retail stores, and conventions over the past 15 years. He has appeared at the Ultimate Drummers Weekend (Melbourne,Australia), and The Cape Breton Drum Festival (Nova Scotia, Canada). He also maintains a busy private teaching schedule at his studio in New Jersey. Joe's interest in writing and education has led to him becoming very active in the music publishing world. He is the Percussion Editor for Carl Fischer Publications, and a contributing writer for Modern Drummer magazine. An active author, Joe has won three Modern Drummer Readers Poll awards for his drum books. He is the author ofTurn It Up & Lay It Down, MD Classic Tracks, It's Your Move (with Dom Famularo), Drum Techniques of Led Zeppelin, Operation: Rockenfield - The Drumming of Queensryche, and Drumming Out Of The Shadows - The Drumming of Jason Bittner and Shadows Fall. He has worked on various promotional and R&D projects for Tama drums in addition to being engaged as a spokesperson / artist clinician for their Starclassic Bubinga Omnitune drums. <<back to top of page >>
Dom Famularo (International Clinician) (domfamularo.com) His sensational drumming and brilliant communications skills have earned Dom Famularo a reputation of being the world's leading motivational drum set artist / educator. Tutored by legendary greats Joe Morello, Jim Chapin, Al Miller, and Ronnie Benedict, Dom combines the masterful techniques of the past with the parameter-pushing concepts of the present for a highly creative and uniquely personal style of drumming. With hands powered by the famous Moeller technique and feet dancing through high-speed double-pedal bass drumming patterns he delivers performances that dip and dive through dynamics and styles with energy and ease. Elements of jazz, funk, fusion, and latin rhythms permeate his sound, while every stroke speaks to the inventiveness that makes his drumming so exciting, entertaining, and inspiring. In addition to large drumming expos and clinic tours, Dom is an active educator at colleges, drum schools and camps. He has performed at the Percussive Arts Society Convention (PASIC), Percussion Institute of Technology (PIT) in Hollywood, California, KoSA International Percussion Workshops, North Texas State University, the Graham Cole Percussion Camp in England, and Drummers Camp in the Black Forest of Germany. In addition, he is an in-demand consultant to major music corporations, and serves as Education Director for Sabian Ltd., Vic Firth inc., and Mapex drums. <<back to top of page >>
Rick Van Horn (Modern Drummer) Along with being a professional drummer for more than forty-five years, Rick Van Horn is the Senior Editor of MODERN DRUMMER, the world's most widely read drumming magazine. In his twenty-three years with MD, Rick has written hundreds of "Club Scene" columns, as well as a best-selling book on the subject of being a working drummer. He has also conducted countless product reviews, gone "inside" virtually every percussion-product manufacturer around the world, and has explored the drumming scenes in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and Branson. As a performer, Rick covers the gamut, from drumming in high-energy rock bands to playing pit percussion for local musicals. He frequently backs classic 1960s/'70s singing group The Duprees, as well as playing for "classic rock" and "doo-wop" multi-artist extravaganza shows throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania As an educator, Rick has appeared at clinics across the tri-state area. He has been a member of the KoSA faculty for eight years. And he is also on the faculty at the University Of The Arts in Philadelphia, where he teaches undergraduate classes on how to be a working drummer, as well as graduate classes on music journalism In his "spare time," Rick is the coordinator of Modern Drummer's Festival Weekend-the world's longest-running and most prestigious drumming event. <<back to top of page >>
Dafnis Prieto (Michel Camilo) The New York Times has compared the arrival of Dafnis Prieto in the U.S. to the landing of an asteroid. Indeed, within a short period his groundbreaking drumming techniques have had a powerful impact on both the Latin and jazz music scene, locally and internationally. Having studied at the school of Fine Arts in Santa Clara and later at the National School of Music in Havana, Prieto obtained a thorough classical education while broadening his knowledge of Afro-Cuban music, jazz and world music outside of the academy. He first toured Europe with pianists Carlos Maza and Ramon Valle and the pioneering group "Columna B." In the seven years that he has lived in New York, he has played in bands led by Henry Threadgill, Steve Coleman, Eddie Palmieri, Chico and Arturo O'Farrill, Dave Samuels & The Caribbean Jazz Project, Jane Bunnett, Peter Apfelbaum, D.D. Jackson, Edward Simon, Michel Camilo, Chucho Valdez, Claudia Acuna, Roy Hargrove, Don Byron, Andrew Hill, Herbie Hancock, Arturo Sandoval, and Jerry Gonzales, among others. He has performed at many national and international music festivals as a sideman and as bandleader. As a composer, he has created highly distinctive music for dance, film, chamber groups and for his own band projects which have ranged from duets to a "Small Big Band." He has received commissions, grants, and fellowships from Chamber Music America, Jazz at Lincoln Center, East Carolina University, and Meet the Composer, as well as from various new music ensembles. Also a gifted educator, Prieto has conducted numerous master classes, clinics, and workshops. Since 2005, he has been teaching as a visiting professor at NYU (New York University.) Dafnis currently leads two groups - the Latin jazz ensemble heard on his 2005 debut CD "About The Monks," and the band featured on his second album, "Absolute Quintet," which includes violin, cello, and Hammond organ. (CDs released on Zoho Music.) "Absolute Quintet" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2006. <<back to top of page >>
Jeff Salisbury (Johnson State College) 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. <<back to top of page >> Aldo Mazza (Repercussion) (AldoMazza.com) Aldo Mazza is an internationally-recognized
drummer-percussionist, recording artist, clinician, and educator.
<<back to top of page >> Drum Circle - Group Drumming
Kalani (www.kalanimusic.com) We are extremely pleased to welcome back Kalani to KoSA. Kalani 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 has authored several books for Alfred publishing including All About Congas, All About Djembe, All About Bongos, Together In Rhythm, and The Amazing Jamnasium. He has produced over 15 instructional videos for a variety of instruments including congas, bongos, djembe, hand percussion and drum set, available through MVP Home Video. He is the founder and director of Drumlesson.com, an educational drumming web site that has been featured in the New York Times and CNN Live. He is a contributing writer for Percussive Notes Magazine, Modern Drummer and DRUM! Magazine. He 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. Kalani is 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. At KoSA 12, Kalani will bring "Developing creativity, musicianship and healthy relationships using the Drum Circle MusicT approach" This introductory program demonstrates how the DCM approach helps develop personal and social skills on multiple levels. Participants learn through interactive games, group discussion and dynamic music making. No prior teaching or music facilitation experience is required to participate. Well suited for anyone who plan on working with groups of people in educational, social, or therapeutic field. Mallet - Vibraphone
Mike Mainieri ( Steps Ahead) (NYCRecords.com) Primarily recognized as an award-winning, jazz vibraphonist, Mike Mainieri's equally remarkable talents as producer, arranger, and composer have contributed to shaping the cutting-edge in music. throughout his fruitful career--now spanning almost five decades--Mike has collaborated with the world's most formidable jazz player's produced numerous albums, and discovered a host of innovative, young talent. Raised in a family of performers and musicians, Mike's training began early. At the age of 14, his own jazz trio was touring with the PAUL WHITEMAN ORCHESTRA, and by 17 he was playing and arranging for Buddy Rich's sextet --a tenure which continued up until 1962. During this period, he also played with such legendary artists as Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and Wes Montgomery, and at the age of 18 he won the International Jazz Critic's Award. As a solo artist, Mike has created and contributed to countless, visionary artistic endeavors. In 1962, he joined the ground-breaking jazz/ rock group JEREMY & THE SATYRS led by flutist Jeremy Steig. Along with Warren Bernhardt, Donald MacDonald, Adrian Guillery, and Eddie Gomez, THE SATYRS jammed at New York's Club Go Go, and performed with such monumental Figures as Frank Zappa, Richie Havens and Jimi Hendrix. During the late 60's, this small circle of performers grew into what became known as the WHITE ELEPHANT ORCHESTRA, a 20-piece, all-star, experimental ensemble. The group featured George Young, Frank Vacari, Michael Brecker, and Ronny Cuber --saxes; Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff, and Randy Brecker--trumpets; Barry Rogers, Jon Pierson--trombones; as well as, Steve Gadd, Tony Levin, Donald MacDonald, Warren Bernhardt, Joe Beck, David Spinozza, and Hugh McCraken in the rhythm section. Under Mike's direction, this jazz/ rock big band evolved into a laboratory for experimentation with various musical forms, ideas, and philosophies. From 1969-1972, the WHITE ELEPHANT clan of New York's finest musicians jammed, and recorded at studios throughout the city, and its energy spawned many musical directions for the decades to follow, including DREAMS, ARS NOVA, BRECKER BROTHERS, L'IMAGES, etc. During the late 70's, Mike founded the pioneering jazz/ fusion groups STEPS AHEAD, which included previous cohorts Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez, Steve Gadd and Don Grolnick. Delving into contemporary sounds while maintaining experimentation and compositional integrity, STEPS AHEAD was, and is, a launching-pad for young talent and new musical ideas. Other STEPS Alumni include Peter Erskine, Eliane Elias, Rachel Z, Victor Bailey, Warren Bernhardt, Chuck Loeb, Daryl Jones, Mike Stern, Bob Berg, Marc Johnson and Jimi Tunnell. Other noteworthy collaborations have included recordings with Joe Henderson, Art Farmer, Marcus Miller, Joe Lovano, Toots Thielemans, Jim Hall, just to name a few. As a composer, arranger, and performer, Mike has contributed to over 100 gold and platinum albums. An active participant in the rock and pop scenes, he's worked with Paul Simon, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Janis Ian, James Taylor, Dire Staits, and Bonnie Raitt. He's Produced albums for George Benson and Andy Summers, and STEPS AHEAD Alumni, Norweigan saxophonist Bendik, and pianist Rachel Z. In 1992, Mike brought to bear his vast experience with the creation of NYC RECORDS. As an extension of himself, the independent label is a vehicle which allows Mike to continue to explore the musical landscape of the new millenium. <<back to top of page >> Mallet - Steel Drums (pans)
Jim Royle (Pan Master) (jimroyledrumstudio.com) Jim Royle is a native of Connecticut and president of the state chapter of the Percussive Arts Society's for Ten years, and 2000 Chapter President of the Year. Jim attended the University of Bridgeport as a percussion and education major under the direction of Howard Zwickler, Arthur Lipner, and Bill Finegan. Jim has also studied with world recognized masters such as Max Roach, Alan Dawson, Keith Copeland, Akira Tana, Norbert Goldberg, Vernal Fournier. And Pan Master Professor Philmore. Although Jim enjoys his own performance career, his love of music and the pleasure of passing this love onto future musicians are equally important to him. His studio now in its 20th year, is well known for turning out remarkable performers and all of his students are exposed to many aspects of percussion, such as Drum set to World, Latin, Afro-Cuban, Orchestra, Steel Drums, Timpani, and Mallet studies. The current studio enrollment stands at over One Hundred and Twenty students, Five graded percussion ensembles, with a teaching faculty of six. Jim's ensembles have been invited and have performed at the Panorama Steel Pan Festival in VA Beach in 2003, and 2006, Disney World, and Disney Land, as well as a tour in London England in October 2006. His ensemble has also been invited to perform with collegiate ensembles, Ithaca with Gordon Stout, Jonathan Haas at NYU. His students have performed with Neil Grover, Liam Teague, Tom Miller, Arthur Lipner, Dave Samuels, and Michael Varner to name a few. In 2004 the advanced percussion ensemble had a steel pan composition commissioned by renowned percussion artist Michael Udow, Rio Grande Riffs that will be on a CD of his works to be released in 2006. Jim's students frequently go on to be collegiate music majors in percussion and younger students are well represented in summer music camps and pre-collegiate programs such as Juilliard. It is evident that Mr. Royle has forever touched the lives of these gifted peformers. Jim Royle endorses Sabian, Grover Pro Percussion, Pro Mark, and Premier Drums <<back to top of page >> Mallet - Classical Marimba
She-e Wu (Bob Beckett Ensemble) She-e Wu is Assistant Professor of Music at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Prior to her appointment at Rutgers University, Ms. Wu was Assistant Professor of Music at West Virginia University in Morgantown, and has also taught at the University of North Texas. Ms. Wu was a featured artist at the Journées de la Percussion in 2000 and 2002 (PAS European Convention) in Paris, France and performed the marimba concerto of Eric Ewazen with Orchestre de la Garde Republicaine. This concerto was written for her and commissioned by her and the Moment Musical Orchestra in Taiwan. She-e has appeared as a solo artist at the 25th and 27th Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the 4th National Percussion Convention of Spain in Seville, International Percussion Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, radio broadcast at the World Marimba Competition in Stuttgart, Germany, Festival Internacional de Percusion "Ritmo Vital 2001" in Madrid, Spain and Fukui Marimba Seminar in Fukui, Japan, PercuPassion Festival in Lyon, France, Taipei International Percussion Convention in Taipei, Taiwan, Hawaiian Music Educators Association Convention and many other festivals. Ms. Wu has performed as guest recitalist and clinician at universities, colleges, conservatories, and at "Days of Percussion" throughout the United States. In 2003, She-e has presented master classes at the Royal Academy of Music in London; performed at the Bach Symposium/Bach Variation Festival at Lincoln Center; performed Jorge Sarmientos Marimba Concerto with Interamerican Music and Arts Festival Orchestra in San Juan, NancyPhony Festival in France, PercuPassion Festival in Lyon, France, premiered the Ewazen Marimba Concerto with University of Arkansas Wind Ensemble, Texas Music Educator Association in San Antonio, Florida PAS day of percussion, St. Cloud University, Winona University, New Jersey City University; University of Central Florida, Central Jersey Day of Percussion and also on faculty at the Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar in Ocean Grove, NJ and its Pre-college division in Dallas and Houston. Ms. Wu is scheduled to perform and present a master class at the Journees de la Percussion Festival in Paris in October 2003. In November 2003, She-e was a member of adjudicators for the marimba competition at the 28th Percussive Arts Society International Convention and perform with Frederic Macarez. Originally a timpanist and percussionist in her home country of Taiwan, she came to the United States in 1991 to study at the University of North Texas where she earned her Bachelor and Master's Music degrees. Her teachers include Dr. Robert Schietroma, Leigh Howard Stevens, Ed Soph, Tzong-Ching Ju. She also studied composition with Dr. Joseph Klein. Ms. Wu's composition K-PAX, a piece for marimba duo, was commissioned by the Taipei International Percussion Convention in 2002 and was premiered with marimbist Leigh Howard Stevens. Blue Identity was written for Frederic Macarez and the Paris Conservatory CNR percussion ensemble. The piece was premiered in Paris at the Journees de la Percussion festival and the American premiere took place at the 28th Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Ms. Wu's latest composition project is a work for Two Pianos and Two Percussion, commissioned by the Taipei Cultural Center. She-e is a member of the Bob Becker Ensemble. Her recording of the Ewazen marimba concerto with the International Sejong Soloists has been released on Resonator Records. Ms. Wu is a clinician and a recitalist for the Malletech and Zildjian companies, and performs exclusively on the Malletech M5.0 Imperial Grand five-octave marimba with her own signature line of mallets. <<back to top of page >> North African & Arabic Drumming
Glen Velez (Paul Winter Consort) (GlenVelez.com) Grammy award-winning percussionist Glen Velez is an international soloist and a 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. After fifteen years performing and recording with Steve Reich (1973-1988) and Paul Winter (1983-1998), Velez is working as a soloist and with his Handance Ensemble, while continuing to collaborate with a variety of prominent artists in many genres. Twentieth century music guru John Cage wrote a piece especially for Glen in 1989. Velez has also played with notables such as Pat Metheny, Richard Stoltzman, Suzanne Vega, Howard Levy, Zakir Hussain, and Sonny Fortune. His own compositions have been featured on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and John Schaefer's New Sounds and have been commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation, Jerome Foundation, and Reader's Digest. He has written music for theater and dance and recorded hundreds of albums on ECM, CBS, RCA, GRP, Warner Brothers, Deutsche Gramophone, Geffen, Nonesuch, Capital, and Sony. In addition, he has several instructional videos, five instructional books and over a dozen recordings of his own music on CMP, Music of the World, Sounds True, Interworld, Ellipsis Arts and DafTof Records. As a master teacher who conducts workshops worldwide, Velez developed his own teaching approach called "The Handance Method." It incorporates voice and body movement into the process of learning to play the frame drum and has been presented in hundreds of universities world wide. Velez has also designed his own Signature Series of frame drums for the REMO Drum Company and has recently designed a handmade frame drum series for the Cooperman Drum Company. <<back to top of page >> Japanese Taiko Drumming
Marco Lienhard (Ondekoza) (MarcoLienhard.com) Marco Lienhard was a member
of Ondekoza from 1981-1994. While touring as a professional taiko player
in Japan, he studied the shakuhachi under Master Katsuya Yokoyama, quickly
becoming a virtuoso solo artist. Lienhard also studied the fue and the
nohkan (Noh theater flute) with Masayuki Isso. In 1995, Lienhard founded
Taikoza in New York, where he now makes his home. With Taikoza he has toured,
the US, Japan, Mexico and Europe. Lienhard has performed more than 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 many movies, documentaries
and CDs, has done several recordings with Ondekoza, Taikoza and has two
critically acclaimed shakuhachi recording.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.
In 2003, collaboration in Japan with Kodo member Kojima Chieko. Concerts
in Mexico, Carnegie Kids program in Miyazaki Japan.
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Cuban Rhythms & Techniques
Michael Spiro (David Byrne, Caribbean Jazz Project) (michaelspiro.com) Michael Spiro is an internationally recognized percussionist, recording artist, and educator, known specifically for his work in the Latin music field. He has performed on thousands of records, co-produced and played on several instructional videos for Warner Bros. Publications (including Talking Drums, Changuito, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Ignacio Berroa), and produced seminal recordings in the Latin music genre, including Orquesta Batachanga, Grupo Bata-Ketu, Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge, and Grupo Ilu-Aña. Michael's recording and performing credits include such diverse artists as David Byrne, Cachao, The Caribbean Jazz Project, Dori Caymmi, Changuito, Richard Egues, Frank Emilio Flynn, Ella Fitzgerald, David Garibaldi, Gilberto Gil, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ray Holman, Toninho Horta, Bobby Hutcherson, Dr. John, Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge, Machete Ensemble, Bobby McFerrin, Andy Narell, Ray Obiedo, Chico O'Farrill, Eddie Palmieri, Lazaro Ros, David Rudder, Carlos Santana, Grace Slick, Omar Sosa, Talking Drums, Clark Terry, McCoy Tyner and Charlie Watts. In addition, he has recorded soundtracks to such major motion pictures as Soapdish, Henry and June, True Stories, Sworn To The Drum, Walker, Eddie Macon's Run, and Dragon-The Life of Bruce Lee; and wrote several arrangements for the Tony Award winning Broadway show BLAST! which was released on video by PBS in 2002. His formal education includes a Bachelor's Degree with Honors in Latin American Studies from the University of California, and three and a half years of graduate work in ethnomusicology at the University of Washington. His practical education consists of a seven year apprenticeship with Francisco Aguabella (a relationship which continues today), and extensive study throughout Latin America. He has studied annually in Cuba since 1984 with musicians such as Jose Luis Quintana ("Changuito"), Esteban Vega Bacallao ("Cha-Cha"), Daniel Diaz and Juan "Claro" Blanco of Orquesta Ritmo Oriental, Regino Jimenez, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, and Grupo Afro-Cuba de Matanzas. In addition, in 1986 he spent two months training at G.R.E.S. Portela, the famous Escola de Samba in Rio de Janeiro. Michael is a frequent visiting artist at universities worldwide. In addition to the position he held in the Jazz Department at the University of California, Berkeley, he has taught at numerous colleges throughout North America and Europe, and continues to be a presenter at national and statewide conventions of P.A.S. (The Percussive Arts Society) and the I.A.J.E. (International Association of Jazz Educators). He currently resides in San Francisco, California where he is an integral part of the Bay Area music scene. He records and produces with groups throughout the West Coast, and still tours world-wide with the percussion trio "Talking Drums," which he co-leads with David Garibaldi and Jesus Diaz. In June of 1996, his own recording Bata-Ketu was released on Bembe Records to international critical acclaim, including being voted one of the top 50 drum records of all time by Drum Magazine. He debuted that material on the stage in 2002 with a performance grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and in that same year he performed with his own group "Ara Meji" at the Monterey Jazz Festival, where he received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Percussion. In 2004 he received a Grammy nomination for his work as both producer and artist on Mark Levine's Latin/Jazz release "Isla". This year he released his most recent recording "BataMbira", which is already receiving rave reviews, and he was voted runner up in the jazz/fusion category in Drum Magazine's Reader's Poll Awards. <<back
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Memo
Acevedo (Tito Puente)
KOSA is very pleased to welcome back drummer, percussionist and composer, Memo Acevedo. He began to make a mark on Colombia's Rock music scene as a pioneer in his early teens. After leaving his native Bogota, he began to re-discover his Latin roots. A self-taught musician, his passion for Jazz and Latin music compelled him to take it as a serious object of study after leaving Colombia in his late teens. Having lived in Spain, Mexico, California, Toronto and New York, Memo has acquired a tremendous experience in all styles of music and drumming. Settled in Toronto in the late 70's, Memo's credited as the pioneer of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Latin Jazz styles in Canada. His two bands, 'Banda Brava' (check out "Mr. Mambo" on You Tube) and his 10 piece 'Memo Acevedo Latin Jazz' band (Building Bridges CD) introduced Canadian audiences to this music. As an educator, Memo established the first Latin jazz, Salsa and Brazilian ensembles in an educational institution in Canada, specifically at Humber College (equivalent to Berklee College of Music) in Toronto. In his continued passion for sharing his music and culture in a larger scale, he produced and hosted his own radio show "The Latin Beat" at Toronto's CIUT-FM, which aired for ten years. His self-produced CD "Building Bridges" features mentor Tito Puente, flutist Dave Valentin and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. His credits as a session player in Canada include recording and playing with most of the major stars in that country and doing TV work and jingles. As a composer, in 1989 he won the National "AD's Music Award" for his TV commercial "Unbeatable" for Rubbermaid. In 1991 he received the JUNO Award (Canada's equivalent of the Grammy) in the "World Beat" category. He was also awarded "Percussionist of the Year" in 1994 and 1995 by the 'Jazz Report' Magazine's media poll. In early 1996, Memo decided to make New York City his home. Recording and performing credits since, include the late greats Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Gregory Hines and Moacir Santos, Jazz singer Mark Murphy, Joe Cuba, Klimax, the Latin Jazz Coalition, and Hip Hop band 'Propellerheads' among others; also Broadway shows "The Lion King" and "Civil War." Regarding his role as an educator, Memo loves "passing the torch" (as he calls it). Currently he is the director of the Samba "Batucada" ensemble and a 12 piece Latin/Brazilian Jazz ensemble at NYU's (New York University) Jazz program. He is the co-author of the "Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian Drumming" book (Carl Fischer) produced by New York's Drummer's Collective where he taught for 6 years. He is also in charge of the Education department at LP (Latin Percussion Music group). He credits as his major drumming influences Gene Krupa, Mitch Mitchell, John Bonham and Tito Puente. <<back to top of page >> Pop & Commercial Percussion Technology & Percussion Aldo Mazza
(Répercussion, Session Artist)
Allan Molnar (Educator/MIDI Specialist) 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, 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. <<back
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Mario DeCiutiis (Radio City, NYC) (Alternatemode.com) KoSA is pleased to welcome back the jovial genius 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. <<back
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Orchestral Percussion
Arnie Lang ( NY Philharmonic) (LangPercussion.com) KoSA is very pleased to welcome back the legendary Morris "Arnie" Lang. As a child growing up in the Bronx, Arnie Lang was surrounded by many styles of music. This is when he first fell in love with the drums. They were a good choice because his talent was immediately obvious. While studying at Juilliard he freelanced with the Radio City Music Hall, the New York City Ballet Orchestra, the American Opera Society Orchestra, and, eventually, the New York Philharmonic, which ultimately led to a forty-year relationship (1955 - 1995). Currently he is the president of Lang Percussion, manufacturer of the famed Gladstone Drums and Timpani. Arnie also teaches at Brooklyn College, where he is molding the next generation of percussion greats. Arnie brings a wealth of technical and personal experience to the field of percussion, and his orchestral percussion insights are not to be missed. <<back
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World Music, Indigenous
Rhythm Concepts
Rich Holly ( Abraxas Percusssion Group, NIU) Rich Holly has been a Professor of Percussion at Northern Illinois University since 1983, and currently holds the position of Associate Dean of the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts. Rich was the Director of the NIU Jazz Camp from 1993 -2000, and served from 1996-2000 as the Assistant Director of the NIU School of Music. He remains active as a solo performer and clinician, and has appeared over 300 times at schools, colleges, universities, conventions and festivals throughout the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia. Rich received his formal training at the State University of New York at Potsdam and East Carolina University. His principal teachers were Henry Gates, Howie Mann, James Petercsak, and Harold Jones. As well,Rich studied Brazilian percussion with Manoel Monteiro, Afro-Cuban drumming with Frank Malabe, and West African drumming with Abraham Adzenyah and Famoudou Konate. Rich was a founding member of the Abraxas Percussion Group, and has performed with the Long Island Holiday Festival Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of New York, and the North Carolina Symphony. For 11 seasons Rich was Timpanist of the Illinois Chamber Symphony. As a drumset artist, Rich has appeared with Allen Vizzutti, John Fedchock, Dave Samuels, Bill Molenhof, Ethel Merman, Red Skelton, Bob McGrath and Sesame Street and many others. From 1984 to 2000 Rich played drumset and percussion with Inner City recording artists Rhythmic Union. Rich's articles have appeared in almost every major music journal, and from 1986 to 2002 he was Associate Editor for Percussive Notes magazine. His published percussion compositions are sold around the world, and he is currently the Immediate Past President of the Percussive Arts Society (www.pas.org), the world's largest society for percussionists with over 9500 members in 75 chapters worldwide. His guest appearances are sponsored in part by Yamaha Music Corporation of America, Sabian Cymbals, Ltd., and Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets,and he is a member of the Latin Percussion Educational Advisory Board. <<back to top of page >> Mrudangam, South East Indian Drumming
Rajna Swaminathan ( Kuchipudi dance ballet) (rajnaswaminathan.com) Rajna Swaminathan, disciple of Mrudangam Maestro Sri Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, is an upcoming young artiste in the field of Carnatic percussion. She started learning Mrudangam (barrel shaped, two sided hand drum, dating back to the Hindu Holy scriptures) from her father Dr. P. K. Swaminathan at the age of 5 and came under the direct tutelage of Sri Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman at the age of 8. She is being intensively groomed by the Maestro as his protégé. She is 16 years old. She is the only Mrudangam artiste to be completely and personally trained by the Maestro. Rajna has accompanied several prominent musicians from South India and won their praise. During Fall 2004, Rajna toured USA along with her illustrious Guru and performed for one piece on Mrudangam with Sri Sivaraman playing on Kanjira to encourage her. She is the first and only female percussionist to share the stage with the Maestro. Sri Sivaraman presented her to the Maryland audience for a full two hour concert debut in Maryland on October 9th, 2004. Rajna performed at the prestigious Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival in 2005 and 2006, and was specially spotlighted by JayaTV during their Chennai broadcast of the festival. Rajna debuted in Chennai, India during Summer 2005 and performed in several concerts, where she received great approbation from dignitaries and musicians. She has been regularly visiting India for performances. Rajna also performs Mrudangam for Dance programs, most notably the grand Kuchipudi dance ballet, Bhaaratha Sambhavam, held at Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater on April 17th, 2004 and accompanying the legendary Dance couple Dhananjayans at Smithsonian Institution on July 13th, 2006. Rajna gave a clinic/performance entitled "Women in Percussion - Breaking the Gender Barrier" for PASIC 2006 (Percussive Arts Society International Convention) in Austin, TX. She was very well received and appreciated by the western percussion community. Rajna is the youngest and one of only a handful of female Mrudangam/percussion artistes in the world. In addition to Mrudangam, Rajna plays piano and has learned Bharathanatyam (South Indian Classical Dance) for some years. Along with her father, Rajna won the Master/Apprentice award from Maryland State Arts Council in 2006. In addition to playing for traditional South Indian Music and Dance, Rajna is interested in collaborating with Western artistes and popularizing this ancient instrument globally. Her KoSA appearance is sponsored in part by Rhythm Fantasies Inc. <<back to top of page >> Intracacies of the Cajon
Homero Chavez (www.myspace.com/hchpro) A drummer and percussionist, educator and producer Homero is currently serving as the VP of Outreach for the Percussive Arts Society for the State of California. This summer Homero will be introducing his signature "Cajon" and feature it at drum camps and Festivals such as Kosa International Percussion Workshop in Vermont, CalPoly Pomona, Austin TX., and Columbus, Ohio. He wrote the article "El Cajon" for Percussive Notes and he produced the State of CA PAS events "Day of Percussion" in Pasadena, CA, Pod cast on El Cajon subjects and "El Canto De La Gente" CD. He has traveled nationally and internationally performing at Major Music venues, Drum and Music Festivals: NAMM, PAS CA, PASIC, Sierra Nevada Music Fest, Reggae on the River, One World Music Fest, Angela Peralta Mazatlan Mexico, Vancouver Jazz Fest, Grec Music Festival of Barcelona, Heimatklange Berlin, New Morning Paris, Radio One Belgium, Music Meeting Holland, Xtra Limmathaus Zurich, Red Sea Jazz Eilat Israel, Lincoln Center, Japan American Theatre, "The Samsung LPGA Tour Award Ceremony" and others. He appears on the following productions: I-tunes PAS Pod-casts, NBC'S "GITANAS", CDs "Kelly's Lot" "Live at the Troubadour," Denise Donatelli, Viola Trigo "El Canto De La Gente" and Son Mestizo. He co-produced radio and Internet spots for Allegiance Telecom, and Ricardo Montalban. He is available for live performances, studio productions, clinics and private instructions on drums and percussion. <<back
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Afro-Columbian Percussion Techniques Memo Acevedo(Tito
Puente)
Australian Didgeridoo
Lou Robinson ("Didge" Soloist, Educator) (AustralianOrignals.com) All hail the most welcome return of Lou Robinson, KoSA's original and wonderful Didgeridoo artist. Lou is a long time player, teacher and proponent of the didgeridoo with its haunting sound and ability to reconnect us to ourselves, the earth and it's natural values and rhythms, 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 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 much beloved favorite of KoSA participants. <<back
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West African Drumming & Dance
Michael Wimberley (Paul Winter, Chirs Rock, MammaTongue) (JohnMcDowell.net) KoSA is very pleased to celebrate the return of Michael Wimberly. Michael'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 2007, Michael is joined by African Dance instructor Jamie Shakur...
Jamie Shakur is a dance educator and choreographer from Brooklyn, NY who has taught in private, public institutions and dance studios for several years. She is well versed in modern, African, jazz, tap, ballet & hip-hop dance forms. Jamie holds a Master of Arts degree in Dance Education with K-12 certification from New York University, magna cum laude and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Temple University, cum laude. She is also the co-author of Vygotsky's Four Tenets in Motion. Jamie's choreographic work has premiered on Collage Dance Company, Dance Visions Dance Company of North Carolina State University, and the SUMA Dance Company, which she directed for a year. Jamie has worked as a seasoned performer with Kariamu & Company: Traditions and Chuck Davis' African American Dance Ensemble traveling across the country performing and teaching dance. She was also an apprentice performer with the Urban Bush Women Dance Company. In addition, Jamie has taught dance workshops and classes at institutions including Dance Theatre of Harlem, Freedom Theater, Ohio Northern University, North Carolina Central University, I.S. 218 and for the Alvin Ailey School. She is currently a full time dance educator at Clara Barton High School. <<back
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The KoSA Rhythm Section
Gabriel Guerrero - Piano . Fernando Huergo - Bass . Steve Blair - Guitar A favorite of KoSA participants is our in-house rhythm section. Not only will this ace trio give KoSA participants much guidance and practical experience when working in Rhythm Labs, but the KoSA Rhythm Section also provides the "glue" for many one-of-a-kind performances by our KoSA Faculty. Colombian
pianist/composer
Gabriel Guerrero is constantly
exploring links between the jazz traditions and the musical traditions
and rhythms from South America, specifically from his native Colombia.
Trained in Classical piano at an early age, Gabriel grew up in a rich and
diverse musical landscape, listening to his father sing Musica Llanera,
or hearing exciting music from the Atlantic Coast.
Fernando Huergo was born in Cordoba, Argentina. Has recorded over 80 albums, including 8 as leader and has toured in North, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. He has performed with the bands of Danilo Perez, Guillermo Klein, Luciana Souza, Hendrick Meurkens, Victor Mendoza, Dave Liebman, Dave Samuels, Joe Beck, Marta Gomez, Los Changos, Pablo Ablanedo, Katie Viqueira, El Eco, Mark Shilansky, Fernando Tarres, The Jinga Quintet, Edu Tancredi, Gilson Schachnick, Fernando Brandao, Teresa Ines, Humberto Ramirez, Eguie Castrillo, Tony Lujan and with great musicians Tom Harrell, Dave Liebman, Billy Pierce, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Kikoski, Rick Margitza, Kenny Werner, Danilo Perez, David Sanchez, Don Braden, Claudio Roditi, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio Hernandez, Richie Flores, Paulo Braga, Romero Lubambo and Portinho. He has given clinics in Argentina, Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Portugal, England, France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Japan and in many cities in the United States. Fernando has studied with Charlie Banacos, Jerry Bergonzi, Cecil McBee, John Lockwood and George Rusell among others and he graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1992, where he has been an Associate Professor in the Bass Department since 1996. He also teaches at Tufts University. Vermont guitarist Steve Blair is one of the most technically accomplished players in the jazz scene. He's performed with fusion titans Freefall and Science Fixion, and is currently the director of jazz studies at Johnson State College. From Burlington, Vermont, Steve is a busy jazz musician performing every year at he Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington, along with numerous performances at Johnson and other jazz venues throughout Vermont. He is no stranger to the many regional jazz concerts and any who have heard him in past can not deny his consistent high level performances. Blair's latest CD, Momentum, provides a good example of his exacting musicality. DOWNLOAD a KoSA12 Artist-on-Site Schedule - PDF <<back to top of page >> |
