KoSA Italy

Contact: Dr. Jolán Kovács
Phone: (514) 482-5554
August 23, 2016

KoSA XXI:  A Thundering Success in the Green Mountains of Calabria!

Locri, RC –Italy:   To the delight of many European percussionist and drummers, the renown KoSA International Drum Camp and Music Festival founded by Aldo Mazza and his wife Dr. Jolán Kovács celebrated over two-decades of unparalleled music education seminars  in a very different location.  The usual majestic green mountains of Vermont, which was home to KoSA for 20 years, was “replaced” this year by the equally picturesque green mountains of Calabria, Italy – with an ocean view to boot!  The event took place in the beautiful seaside resort town of Locri, Italy in the Reggio Calabria province, this past July 21-24, 2016.

Attendees came from various countries and continents (North America and Europe) to join in this Italian adventure.  All classes and nightly performances were held at the Cinema Vittoria – Sala Rossa in Locri.  This year’s outstanding teaching faculty included: Rick Latham (Juice Newton, Edgar Winter), Massimo Cusato (South Italian Tamburello Artist and gracious host of the event), Andrea Piccioni (Bobby McFerrin),  Mario DeCiuttis (Mallets/KAT electronic percussion), Alan Molnar (Jazz Vibraphone –Nelly Furtado),  Gigi Morello (GM Drum Schools), Aldo Mazza (Repercussion-Artistic Director and Founder of KoSA) and  the KoSA Rhythm Section:  Gegè Albanese (piano) with  Stefano Napoli (bass)  and other guest artists joined this fantastic line-up at the nightly KoSA Music Festival.

With the event being held in Mazza’s birthplace of Italy (Calabria), the general focus of this year’s event was understanding the concepts of Southern Italian rhythms and how these rhythms not only shape  the  music of today, but and are in fact found in many different musical genres such as jazz, funk, and commercial/popular music.  This year’s theme:  Drum Without Borders was a fitting sentiment for this particular event because despite the language barriers, drummers from the USA, Canada, Belgium, and even Switzerland all grooved to the same beat as their Italian counterparts producing a wonderful fusion of cultures and a true borderless musical community.

The event kicked off with a highly informative session entitled:  “The History of the Drumset” presented by the esteemed drummer/ percussionist/editor, Alfredo Romeo (Drumset Mag). The jam-packed schedule then included hands-on sessions with the fiery and charismatic drummer Gigi Morello with the assistance of Cristiano Coraggio (GM Drum Schools). A special drumcircle class was scheduled to reach out and include young children from the local community.  The drumcircle was facilitated by Massimo Cusato and Andrea Piccioni and it was such a success that these young stars were then featured in the finale concert much to the delight of their parents. Mario DiCiuttiis wowed the attendees with the launch of his unique and clever new invention – the jamKAT -and he demonstrated his extraordinary percussive skills and great musicality on this one-of-a-kind instrument.

Aldo Mazza gave classes in Cuban percussion and drumset as well as hand percussion concepts combined with drumset.  In concert, Aldo gave a masterful solo performance with his unique multi-percussion-drumset hybrid with compositions combining African, Cuban ,funk and Southern Italian rhythms with drumset.  Andrea Piccioni delivered  a jaw-dropping performance at the KoSA nightly festival alongside an equally talented musician- Francesco Loccisano who played a not-so-commonly seen instrument in North America – the Chitarra Battente.

More musical highlights included Massimo Cusato who rocked out on his southern Italian tamburello accompanied by the warm and contagious beats of Fabio Macagnino (vocals and guitar).  Allan Molnar treated the attendees and audience to some wonderful jazz compositions played masterfully on the vibraphone.  He performed this music combining it to a visual presentation of scenes from his hometown of  New York City – a real musical and visual treat for the mostly Italian audience.  As the KoSA Concerts also featured participants alongside the faculty, Allan teamed up with a long-time participant – Cedric de Saint-Rome (Canada) who has literally grown up at the KoSA events (coming every year to KoSA Vermont for the past ten years) and Angelina Mazza (the KoSA founders’ daughter).  With Angelina on vocals, Cedric playing the ukulele and Allan on vibes, the audience was touched by their rendition of the classic:  Cry Me a River.

Finally, the powerhouse of groove – Rick Latham  delighted everyone  with his funk drumming and astonishing technique.  On the last night of the concerts, Rick was visibly moved when he received on stage  the KoSA Lifetime Achievement Award   for his great contribution in the world of funk drumming,  his tireless development of groove and his great passion for education.  The event closed on Sunday morning with renown creativity speaker (and drummer!), James Taylor, who educated attendees and our professional faculty artists and guest artists alike on how to succeed for the long-term in the music business.  A highly inspiring close to a highly inspiring and unforgettable event for all.

The KoSA World is continuously in expansion with programs not only in  the USA, but in Canada, Cuba, China, and Italy.   For more information on all things KoSA, visit us at www.kosamusic.com.  and  like us on facebook www.facebook.com/kosamusic.
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KoSA Calabria 2016 was graciously sponsored, in part, by: ProMark, Istanbul, Gon Bops, Drumset Magazine, Cooperman, DW, Sabian, Ludwig, Remo, Alfred, Evans, PMsnares, and Cinema Vittoria.