Rhythmelodic 'Lesson Session' Articles Now Linked to Drumhappy.net I was recently approached through myspace by a friendly bloke from "down-under" in Australia, named Dan Slater, who operates a terrific website known as drumhappy.net. Dan came across my lesson session articles, available here at rhythmelodic.com, and inquried whether or not I'd be interested in linking them to a larger audience by posting them on his website, which is a great resourse for drumming musicians with much available in the way of interesting and useful educational advice. You can check out selected "lessions sessions" of mine there by clicking here, as well as lots of other cool ideas and tips from drummers around the world. Thanks to Dan & my new friends @ Drumhappy!
Listen to samples from Day & Age		TRIPLICATE Returns to Artists' Quarter on 12/4/08 TRIPLICATE's live performance work is rare these days, but always an event. Join us the first week of December when we return to The Artists' Quarter, located at 408 St Peter Street (in the Hamm Bldg), St. Paul, MN; 651-292-1359. We'll play from 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM, and there's a $5 cover. Watch for us on the new Mahavishnu Orchestra tribute CD: MAHAVISHNU REDEFINED, being compiled in Germany on ESC Records and slated for a 2008/2009 release, performing our arrangement of the classic, "The Dance of Maya." The CD also contains tracks featuring Vinnie Colaiuta, Brian Bromberg, Mitchel Forman, Dennis Chambers and Mr. Billy Cobham himself! You can hear samples of that track and others from our latest release, Day & Age, by clicking on the link and learn more about TRIPLICATE here.
		Lease/Moriarty Quintet CD Released on Innova Records, April 8th; Upcoming Gigs: Artists' Quarter, 9/17, Dakota Late Night, 10/3 & Kitty Kat Klub, 12/15 Thanks to all who came and enjoyed our Ellen Lease/Pat Moriarty Quintet CD Release Party on March 1st at Studio Z. It was a magical and inspired night! Check my gig calendar page for details on our upcoming shows in September & October! The Ellen Lease/Pat Moriarty Quintet consists of Ellen on piano, Pat on Alto Saxophone , Kelly Rossum on trumpet, Chris Bates on bass and myself on trapset and assorted other percussion instruments. The new CD, "Chance, Love & Logic" was released on Innova Records on April 8th. We enjoyed a weekend-long recording session (in the midst of the biggest winter storm in the Twin Cities in years) at Fur Seal Studio, last February 24th & 25th, 2007. The sessions, highlighting the original and interesting compositions of Ellen and Pat, were relaxed and inspired and the music is compelling, elastic and provocative. We hope you'll check it out! You can read the press release here and track listing and liner notes here. Enjoy! Last Dance at O'Gara's for the Cedar Avenue Big Band Press Release from the Twin Cities Jazz Society: "For more than 20 years the mighty Cedar Avenue Big Band has been performing weekly (then monthly) at O'Gara's Bar & Grill in St. Paul. They have just severed relations because, according to O'Gara's, the attendance was too low. Let's send the CABB off in style. Join us on October 13th for their FINAL performance at O'Gara's, 163 N. Snelling in St. Paul. The first set begins at 9 PM and admission is FREE. In the meantime the CABB, one of the finest Big Bands in Minnesota, will be looking for a new home. Some of the best Big Band jazz musicians in town will be playing with the CABB on Monday, Oct. 13, including Dave Milne - as, Dave Brattain - ts, Jeff Rinear - trb, John Ahern - trp, Greg Lewis - trp, Mark Asche - p, Bruce Heine (Pooch) - b, and Dave Stanoch - dr. Let's pack the joint and thank the Cedar Avenue Big Band for two decades of terrific Big Band Jazz." ~ Jerry Swanberg The "Cedar Band" has a long tradition of playing contemporary Big Band music in the Twin Cities and employs the finest musicians of its kind to fill out its chairs. I've played and toured with the group often over the past twenty years or so and am proud to have inherited the drum chair permanently from the great Phil Hey three years ago. Band leader Steve Devich is dedicated to the group and a really fun guy to work and hang with. Big Band jazz drumming is truly an art form, dating back to the 1920's, and has evolved as every aspect of modern jazz has. Some of my first experiences playing jazz music were in the big band format and I 've always enjoyed honing the combination of skills playing with a Big Band demands. Come join us for our last night @ O'Gara's--the end of an era but not the band I'm sure. The CABB has held house gigs in a variety of clubs over the years. Stay tuned for more info as it happens.
Drums Unlimited is (L to R): Daryl Boudreaux, David Stanoch & Marc Anderson		MN Orchestra Percussion Festival Gives Birth to New Percussion Super Trio The Minnesota Orchestra presented their "Crash, Bang, Boom!" Percussion Festival, running from Thursday, May 21st - Friday, June 6th, at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis, located at 1111 Nicollet Mall. For this event I was asked to contract agroup to perform before each concert, and during intermission as well, both in the Hall and at Peavey Plaza. I was able to organize a hand-drum trio featuring two of my favorite percussion talents anywhere, Marc Anderson (Steve Tibbets) and Daryl Boudreaux (Sounds of Blackness), whom, along with myself, performed as DRUMS UNLIMITED, during the first and third weekends of the festival. Our name was chosen to honor the eternal drummer supreme, Max Roach. I also performed solo as well during the festival's second weekend, which was great fun, but I was most excited to work with Marc & Daryl in this setting. Check out this clip from our appearance on KARE 11's morning program, Showcase Minnesota.
Listen to samples from Distant Borders Revisited		Axis Mundi World Music Ensemble Wraps Performance Season The Axis Mundi World Music Ensemble featuring composer/guitarist Glen Helgeson, violinist Gary Schulte, bassist Cody McKinney, percussionists Marc Anderson, Daryl Boudroux, or Michael Bissonette, and myself on drumset, enjoyed a terrific 2008 season wrapping up at the ever-exciting Macy's Day of Music at Peavey Plaza. Thanks to all who came out and supported the band. Click on the link and check out some samples from the CD, Distant Borders Revisited. I enjoyed playing on this recording, dabbling in the styles of Afropop, jazzed-up Afro-Cuban, '70's style funk/R&B, and even more beyond that. Have a listen and enjoy.

Modern Drummer - June 2008

New Article in June '08 Issue of Modern Drummer Magazine I have a new article in the June 2008 issue of MODERN DRUMMER, on newsstands now, titled "Wally Ingram - Back With a Little Help from His Friends." This article was a pleasure to write. It updates the saga of my close friend Wally Ingram, who spent last year in a horrifying battle against throat cancer, is now in complete remission, has returned to Sheryl Crow's band after almost ten years, and is in the middle of a long world tour. Wally is the greatest natural drummer I've ever heard & we are all happy and relieved for him, his wife Laurie & daughter Lydia. It's an inspiring story. You'll find it in the "Update" column on page 24. Thanks to MODERN DRUMMER editor-in-chief Bill Miller, who has put the support of the magazine behind Wally throughout his ordeal. Be sure to visit www.wallyingram.com, for more information.

Leo Maiberger's Madcity Jazz, also featuring Ben Sidran, was - thanks to Richard Davis - my first major recording session		A Great Blast From the Past with Richard Davis and Friends Up on You Tube A student of mine recently told me about this cool concert clip he saw on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRU6EV33Mfg It features the wonderful modern dance innovator, Corinne Heath, accompanied by myself & legendary bassist Richard Davis, whom I specifically enrolled to UW-Madison to study with. Richard is someone I was keenly aware of growing up as I had a plethora of LP's by w/anyone from the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Sarah Vaughan (w/Richard & Roy Haynes), Van Morrison (Astral Weeks), Bruce Springsteen (The Good, the Bad & the E Street Shuffle, Born to Run), Jaco Pastorius, etc., that all featured his original voice and incredible musicianship. In my mind at the time, he had played with SO many of my favorite drummers that I knew I could get a better education from him than going ANYWHERE else. This proved true. Richard gave me a perspective and foundation one could only dream of by sharing his experience in music and life. I hold him in the highest regard as a father figure. I'm blown away that he is modest enough to refer to me as "cuz". Anyway, if you check out the link, you'll hear me, @ age 21, swinging harder than ever BECAUSE I'm playing w/Richard...A fat Sam Woodyard/Philly Joe groove is present and so is the polyrhythmic freedom that is a hallmark of Richard's playing, which he taught me to hear. We're able to swing the dancers to present a provocative, sensual application of their art that signifies the direct correlation between rhythm & dance that, in Africa, has NO separation in concept, but is ONE entity. Of that, I am proud. Corinne's partner in the dance, is the wonderful Addrienne Eggleston. Addrienne went on to dance with Mick Jagger in the Rolling Stones video of their cover version hit of the classic tune, "The Harlem Shuffle." Dig THAT here at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOkIU8BCxgU
Cadence Thomas		Remembering Cadence Thomas It is with great sadness I must inform you that sweet little Cadence Thomas passed away in the early hours of August 11th. Cadence was diagnosed out of the blue in October with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Here is the message I received from her father, and my friend, Eric Thomas: "Our hearts are heavy this morning. Cadence Elisabeth passed away this morning at 2:30. She was sleeping contentedly and peacefully between us as she let go. Cadence was an amazing little girl. She fought the cancer with all she had. She endured 6 rounds of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and months of hospitalization without losing her humor and good nature. Leukemia took her life, but never came close to minimizing her spirit. Words cannot express how much pride Lissa and I feel when thinking of our girl. Her eyes were filled with laughter and joy. She took such pleasure in life, easily finding the good in what were hard times. Her life will be a study in how to face adversity. We know that she touched many lives during her short time. Lissa and I would like to thank everybody for the support shown to our family over the last 10 months." Eric Thomas. As a father myself, I can't imagine losing a child. My Dad always said it was never supposed to happen like that. Cadence is now with the angels, looking after all of us, and Heaven is prettier today with her smile.
Listen to samples from Be Happy...		Thanks again to everyone who joined forces w/Sometimes Y for the benefits in June and August. Even the 35W bridge coming down on the day of the second show did not deter your love and commitment. If you'd like to send condolences to Lissa and Eric, visit: www.caringbridge.org/visit/cadence. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated. Sometimes Y is a band that plays what I suppose you'd call "original alternative" rock 'n roll, that I've been in and out of for many years now. The group is made up of Dave Reiss on guitar & lead vocals, Sue Reiss on bass & backing vox, Eric Thomas on violin, and myself on drumset and some backing vox as well. I'm sure we'll carry on but we'll never be the same. Today we honor our friends, their loss, and the brave enduring spirit that is Cadence Elisabeth Thomas.

DRUMMER - July 2007

New Article in July '07 Issue of Drummer Magazine (UK) I'm pleased to announce that the July 2007 issue of DRUMMER magazine (published in the United Kingdom) is now on newsstands in the USA and features an article of mine titled, "Where'Y'At? - Knowledge is Power So Go Get It." The article appears in my good friend Eric Fawcett's monthly column "Mindset", which I've been a fan of for quite some time. Eric is best known locally for his work with the bands The Hopefuls and Spymob, and internationally for his work w/Pharrell Williams/The Neptunes/N.E.R.D. Eric's column addresses the life and work of musicians in matters beyond technique. I haven't read anything like it, on a regular basis, in ANY music magazine I'm familiar with, so I'm quite flattered to be invited by Eric to contribute to his body of work. And I strongly recommend that, if you're unfamiliar with it, you check it out. In the UK the issue is SOLD OUT! In the USA it is available at Barnes and Noble Superstores and Shinders Newsstands. If you're a myspace user, you can read my article, and Eric's wonderful archive to date, at: www.myspace.com/ericfawcett. My gratitude to Eric and DRUMMER Editor-in-Chief Ian Croft for their support.

Modern Drummer - June 2007

New Article in June '07 Issue of Modern Drummer Magazine I'm pleased to announce that my second piece for MODERN DRUMMER magazine was featured in their recent June 2007 issue. The article titled,"Beat it Wally! Benefit," is a recap of the incredibly inspiring and successful concert benefiting my dear friend Wally Ingram in his fight against cancer. The show, which took place in Glendale, California, on January 31st, was masterfully organized and managed by Garbage's Butch Vig, and Tom Campbell of the Guacamole Fund, and featured a stellar array of musical talent. Special thanks to MODERN DRUMMER editor-in-chief Bill Miller who threw the support of the magazine behind the event immediately upon hearing about it and, knowing I was a participant, invited me to cover the story. You'll find it in the "Backbeats" column on page 166. Scroll down to read more about this emotionally powerful event. And you can see lots of pictures from the event at www.wallyingram.com and www.myspace.com/rhythmelodic. Wally is thankfully in remission, and just has been declared CANCER FREE!! Congratulations Wally!! His financial loss however remains. Please visit his website to send good vibes and/or financial donations directly to Wally and his family.

Photo by Andrea Canter, 4/4/07

New Article in Spring '07 Issue of PAS Minnesota Percussion News The Spring 2007 edition of the Newsletter of the Percussive Arts Society/Minnesota Chapter features an article of mine titled Incorporating Tone Color Into Your Grooves. If you'd like to read the newsletter, it is available as a pdf. file download by clicking here. The article is an excerpt taken from my larger work, Building a Strong Foundation for Your Drumming, which is also available as a free online lesson here on my lesson session page. The article focuses on "how to paint" on your drumset by taking any standard rhythm and exploring the wide variety of sounds and tones available per drum or cymbals depending on how, where and with what you strike the percussion. I use the James Brown classic Cold Sweat groove (a nod to my old friend and mentor Clyde Stubblefield) as a foundation for applying tone color variations in ways that I've been inspired to explore thanks largely to the teachings I received as a youngster from another great mentor and friend, Elliot Fine. I've also found inspiration for the variations presented in the playing of great artists like Billy Higgins, Steve Jordan, Idris Muhammad, Bernard Purdie, Walfredo de los Reyes, Sr., Grady Tate, and Billy Ward. Check out the article--I hope you find it inspiring and useful and by all means explore music featuring ALL the players listed above, each one a master in their own right. My thanks to Eric Strom and Terry Vermillion of PAS MN for their support.

Old Friends...The Nok & Wallyllama

BEAT IT WALLY! A 'Musicians Banding Together to Fight Cancer' Benefit On January 31st, an amazingly diverse all-star roster of talent, organized by Uber-producer/drummer Butch Vig, and the Guacamole Fund's Tom Campbell united as Musicians Banding Together Against Cancer performed to support our dear pal, Wally Ingram, in his fight against cancer with a benefit concert at the Alex Theatre in Glendale CA. Wally is a master drummer whose rhythmic good vibrations are eclipsed only by the goodwill and spirit he transmits to everyone he encounters. A "Who's Who of Classic and Contemporary Rock" best describes his career backing an incredible array of artists including Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, David Lindley, Stockholm Syndrome, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Tracy Chapman and Timbuk 3. Wally was my best friend in college and housemate for a couple of years. We shared many memorable musical experiences in those days and have remained close as we have grown into deeper roles as husbands and fathers in our lives. I was proud to be part of such a heartfelt and powerful event. The show featured Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Keb'Mo', Kevin O'Neal & the Radiant Voices, Eric McFadden, and Paula O'Rouke--all past and present musical cohorts of Wally's--as well as Freedy Johnston & The Know-It-All Boyfriends, Victoria Williams & Tom Freund, the Section Quartet, and The Martini's (featuring Joey Santiago & David Lovering of The Pixies). Each of these artists, some truly legends, performed beautifully and mesmerizingly. We all enjoyed the openness that accompanied their delight in jamming together as well. Other highlights included Butch's band, Garbage, playing their first live show in over two years, performing a particularly stirring rendition of their hit "Bleed Like Me" accompanied by The Section String Quartet and the gospel sounds of Kevin O'Neal & the Radiant Voices. It was a real departure from their trademark techno-loops and sequenced accompaniment and very powerful emotionally. Crowded House made a surprise appearance--their first live gig in ten years--to pay Wally back for covering a string of shows back in 1996 when their long-time drummer, the late Paul Hester, left their tour suddenly. Another stunning surprise was seeing funk legend George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic walk on during Sheryl Crow's set & pump up the house w/his trademark "We Want The Funk!!" No one was expecting that! Sheryl Crow, in particular, has been a bedrock of support for Wally and his family throughout his treatment and the most touching part of the night was her stories of their days together in her band capped by her touching salute to Wally "from one cancer survivor to another." Wally, who has, thankfully, recently gone into remission, performed with many of his friends at the event. He's a remarkable musician. I've always loved his feel and natural flow so very much. Raitt remarked Wally was "the only person I know who could bring together a group of talent like that!" The successful evening was truly inspired, which says as much about Wally as it does the participants. Over the course of the evening I found myself onstage performing with the largest assemblage of "star talent" I'd ever expect to appear with in my lifetime. It was quite exciting but I couldn't help thinking I'd trade it all back in a second if it would spare Wally and his family the true hardship they've endured. There are no words to properly convey their inspirational bravery and spirit. Thanks to the efforts of Butch and Tom, $100,000 was raised to help Wally, his lovely wife Laurie & their beautiful daughter, Lydia. Amen brother! Check out my myspace site for more pictures for the show. FURTHER INFO, SUPPORT OR DONATIONS: www.wallyingram.com.

Modern Drummer - March 2007

New Article in March '07 Issue of Modern Drummer Magazine I'm pleased to announce that my first piece for MODERN DRUMMER magazine was featured in their March 2007 issue. The article is entitled Devloping Your Own Sound ~ Tips From Three Greats and shares conceptual information on finding one's voice on their drumset. I collaborated with drumming legend Andy Newmark of Sly & the Family Stone, John Lennon & Roxy Music fame in preparing it and also share tips from my studies with the great Jeff Hamilton and encounters with Jazz legend Art Blakey. In my 17th year on the faculty of the McNally Smith College of Music and a lifetime of playing under my belt, it finally occured to me I could step out and do more to share my experience and this article is the first step in that direction. Much thanks to my friends Eric Fawcett, Mark Powers and Brad Taylor, who each in their own way motivated me to take this step in a new direction. Special thanks also to MD editor-in-chief Bill Miller for his guidance and support. I hope you'll check the article out and that you enjoy it. New Interview in Current Issue of World Percussion & Rhythm Magazine I'm proud to be featured in an extensive interview in the current issue of World Percussion & Rhythm magazine, a very cool grassroots publication based out of Chicago, IL. The interview was conducted about a year ago, before the birth of my second son, Maxwell, by my friend and former student, Mark Powers. The issue also features an excellent article by Mark on playing Gahu recreational dance rhythms, which Mark studied first hand on a journey to Africa in 2003. You can learn more about Mark by scrolling down to my Educational and General News Update on this page and by visiting his excellent website. The interview has been added to my press page which you can check out by clicking here. My thanks to Mark and the staff at World Percussion & Rhythm magazine for their time and interest. McNally Smith Percussion Program Spotlighted as One of the Best Drum Schools in the USA by DRUM! Magazine The October 2006 issue of DRUM! magazine has listed the percussion program at the McNally Smith College of Music as one of the 11 best drum schools in the United States. I've been on the school faculty for 16 years now and very much enjoy the work, the interaction with the students and the pleasure of working alongside my inspiring long-time associates and friends, Gordy Knudtson, Marv Dahlgren, Paul Stueber and Dave Hanzel (in the "drum deptartment," as we call it), all this time, which has been just as wonderfully exciting and informative for me as any of our students. We have brilliant players who've come and gone on our staff as well in that time, but the five of us have been the core for many years. My role as an educator is something I work at with great dedication (see more below) and I feel the school's inclusion in the list is well deserved. We all, in the drum department, work very hard to produce informed, versatile and prepared drumming musicians, who have a voice, can express their individuality and be a team player equally. It's challenging but the curriculum we've developed builds a strong foundation and is also very contemporary and worldly. The students are highly motivated which makes everything easier. Thanks to everyone at DRUM! magazine for the recognition, it is appreciated. Educational and General News Update My work as an educator is something I take seriously, give great consideration to, and have great pride in. It is gratifying to see many of the students I've taught go on to achieve their goals, step by step. I try to be very honest as a teacher because I know the music business can be tough and I strive to help any serious student I encounter get farther faster than I have because I feel anything less would be disingenuous to my position. Most of my students are, or were, enrolled at the McNally Smith College of Music where I have been on the faculty for over fifteen years. I rarely do any private teaching because of my busy playing schedule and family life. I do however encounter many others through various clinics or master classes I give from time to time. I recently heard from two of my former McNally Smith students who are well on their way to great things in music. The first was Brandon Commodore. Brandon is now working with the Grammy Award Winning gospel group The Sounds of Blackness. A thoughtful and talented young man, Brandon is the son of Ginger and Bobby Commodore, two of the Twin Cities most talented musicians. Brandon is now drumming for the same group Ginger and Bobby first met while working in thirty years ago! The second was Patrick Martens III. Patrick is a very motivated musican who dove head first into our program less than a year ago. After careful consideration, he left school to take a chance on a possible "big thing" in the works in Las Vegas. Nothing ever happens in this business without taking some risks. That opportunity fell through, which had to be disappointing but Patrick rebounded by joining a group called Ashbury now on tour that will open for Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium in New Jersey in July. (Nice rebound, Patrick!) I'd like to share with you the notes I recieved from these fine fellows, who are typical of many of my students. I don't imply that I'm responsible for their successes, the truth is far from it. I'm a cataylst. I strive to make my experience count for them in a meaningful way. They are the ones who love it and do the work. It shows. To be thought of and included in their excitement is heart-warming and motivating for me as an educator. I recieved some invaluable help from the incredible teachers I've had and looked up to. It's only right, in my opinion, to pass it along. If interested, you can share their excitement here. Another great young talent to watch out for is Mark Powers. A true self-starter, it was a few years back Mark came to the school, fresh out of high school at the tender age of sixteen. At eighteen, he ventured out on a world tour with Polka legend Frankie Yankovic and more recently has been doing projects with Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen (now that's versatility). Along the way he has performed and studied in China and West Africa, created his own work by organizing rhythm workshops for schools and correctional facilities and is a twice published author in the Percussive Arts Society's magazine Percussive Notes. Fortunately for me, Mark has also been very helpful in assisting me in getting more of my own educational work up and running on the market. Watch for articles of mine in that will be featured in upcoming issues of MODERN DRUMMER magazine.