November 2007

Thirty Days to Better Hands

(November 29, 2007)

Featuring Johnny Rabb CHOP-A-HOLICS here’s your fix! This video was shot with the “no frills” approach. Very refreshing. The content was “dead on” and the exercises are solid. This is a great course in getting your CRE (Control, Relaxation & Endurance) up to speed. Not to mention that this was probably the most hilarious drum DVD I’ve ever watched. Practicing is supposed to be fun and Johnny will keep you entertained while hitting you with great practice material. Two thumbs up! For more info visit: JohnnyRabb.com or the WFD Website

Latin Jazz Grooves

(November 29, 2007)

Featuring Victor Mendoza Outstanding! I was under the impression that this was going to be a Latin Jazz Vibraphone lesson, but instead it was a great total Latin Jazz PERCUSSION lesson. Victor covered many historical aspects of this music and explained in vibrant detail the form and function of the clave. He also demonstrated the role and patterns of the Conga, Cowbell and Timbale players in this exciting music. Victor is such a great musician and teacher. I was fortunate enough to study with Victor at Berklee and that experience helped shape my musical ear. I highly recommend this video to drummers looking to expand their vocabulary and ears. For more info visit: Latin Jazz Grooves – DVD

Take it to the Street

(November 29, 2007)

by Stanton Moore Take it to the Street is a study in New Orleans Street Beats and Second-Line Rhythms as applied to funk. This book is very well put together and the companion CD is GREAT! I recommend

Afro-Cuban Coordination for Drumset

(November 29, 2007)

by Maria Martinez Maria Martinez is a great teacher and writer. This book is a great study in the style of Afro Cuban drumset rhythm. The accompanying CD features very nice arrangements and pattern examples of the style,

Tierney Sutton Band- On the Other Side

(November 29, 2007)

On The Other Side, released in February 2007, the Tierney Sutton Band take on timeless classics with some stunningly unusual and unexpected arrangements. The results are Jazz compositions that are bold, fresh and translate a myriad of colors. Tierney Sutton and her band mates for more than a decade; search for the meaning of “happiness”, as is the theme in each of the selections they explore. Included are, “Get Happy”, “Happy Days Are Here Again”, “You Are My Sunshine”, and “Glad To Be Unhappy”.

The Very Tall Band- What's Up?

(November 29, 2007)

Three jazz giants, pianist Oscar Peterson, bassist Ray Brown, and vibist Milt Jackson spent their Thanksgiving together in 1998 at the Blue Note in New York City , in what is considered by many; a landmark collaboration. These seasoned professionals along with a solid young drummer, Karriem Riggins, who displayed some great accent control while keeping it all steady, made for an intense quartet. What’s Up? is basically a jam session as these men had very little history playing together. The result was spontaneous, electrifying and rich with a sense of history.

Stanley Clark – Night School

(November 29, 2007)

This ninety minute DVD is a musicianship tour de force all on one stage! Stanley Clarke is at his best along with legendary guests such as Stevie Wonder, Bela Fleck, Stewart Copeland and many more; all for the benefit of The Stanley Clarke Scholarship that comes to the aid of many up and coming young musicians. Check it out when Stewart Copeland gets behind the drum set and rips out an incredible rendition of, “The Lochs of Dread”, written by Bela Fleck when he was with the bluegrass combo, Strength in Numbers. Also notable, simply called “The Big Jam” which includes Red Hot Chili Pepper, Flea and Sheila E; really lives up to its name! This is a great DVD for bassist or drummer and for anyone who enjoys musicianship at its finest.

Sharp Three (self titled)

(November 29, 2007)

This self titled composition, Sharp Three, introduces a fresh blend of Asian and Western jazz/ progressive rock styles performed by one of the best musical trios I’ve heard in quite some time. Produced by guitarist Goh Kurosawa, who also wrote each of the nine compositions, puts forth a masterful blend of finger style guitar work. Reflective of his Asian roots, Kurosawa also displays his musical diversity with undertones of Miles Davis, Paco De Lucia and Jeff Beck. On Bass is brother, Kai Kurosawa, who also plays the Warr Guitar, with an enormous fret board, the Warr guitar produces sounds unlike you’ve ever heard. It’s this blend of traditional and modern instrumentation that makes Kai’s work so fascinating.

It

(November 29, 2007)

{mosimage}A Novel Approach to Teaching and Learning Rhythm, Part 1 By Andy Ziker When I was 13 years old, my drum teacher taught me the rudiments and, more important, how to groove. He had an encouraging way about him, always smiling, and he taught me about the importance of developing my own style. However, when I read and played music, I never completely understood what I was doing, even though my teacher patiently demonstrated how it was done. I paid close attention, but some of the time I was guessing. Years later, I was teaching drums at a music store in Mesa, AZ, but not with a high level of success. I was a graduate of the Arizona State University School of Music, was gigging professionally, and was teaching 4th grade at an elementary school. How was it that I could teach 30 energetic nine- and ten-year-olds effectively, but have difficulty teaching drum students one on one?

Gerry Gibbs and the Thrasher Big Band- Live at Luna

(November 29, 2007)

Led by drummer Gerry Gibbs, Gerry Gibbs and the Thrasher Big Band, have released their CD, Live at Luna which brings some attitude to the big band sound without compromising the integrity and tradition of the genre. It’s a quite eclectic live performance that covers traditional jazz styles as well as some swing and bebop. Gibbs’ drumming is right on the mark and some tracks like, “The Caribbean Song” might even have the listener reminisce of some old Buddy Rich recordings. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–>

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