ARTICLES
Modern Drummer MagazineI had the distinct pleasure to interview one of the great Brazilian Jazz drummers of our time back in the late 1990's just before he sadly passed away from cancer. Claudio Slon was a gentle giant who played as beautifully as anyone who has ever graced the instrument.
Claudio Slon Interview Here's an article I did for MD Magazine explaining the basics of Brazilian Drumming. Brazilian Perspectives In 1997 I was part of a percussion trio entitled MURUMBA. The band was a mixture of World Beats and Melodies. We were fortunate enough to get an update in MD by the famed drumming author and interviewer Robyn Flans. Murumba MD Update |
Drum Business MagazineModern Drummer used to have a sister publication called Drum Business which dealt with the business side of running a drum store, product development and the sales industry. I did a couple of articles for them back in the day.
For over thirty years Mike's Drum Shop in Santa Barbara, CA was home to every drummer and percussionist who would stop by. I was dear friends with all who worked there and would spend many an afternoon talking shop as it were and "geeking" out on drum techniques and videos. For anyone who lived in the area it became a "home away from home". Sadly the drum shop is no longer, what with the advent of the internet and bigger companies but this article is a step back in time to the "good old days". Mike's Drum Shop When I worked with trumpet player Doc Severinsen we would travel to Colorado often to do concerts with the Colorado Symphony. On one trip while there, I met up with a gentleman by the name of Sandy Ficca. He too had a drum shop but was also making handmade "cocktail kits" which were of extremely high quality. I thought it would an interesting interview to see what he was up to and as it turned out, I was right! Tribes Drums |
Online LessonsHere are two lessons (for free!), on Brazilian Rhythms for the drum set. Feel free to print them out and have fun playing them!
Brazilian Lesson One Brazilian Lesson Two |