It's getting very difficult to choose what to see.
There is too much good stuff to choose from !!!
(but I guess that's not necessarily a bad thing....)
Here are my latest dispatches from the front lines:
- Steve Fidyk, drummer with the U.S. Army Jazz Band, gave a great clinic on the benefits and process of transcribing and learning beats and vocabulary from the Masters - something every drummer should engage themselves in. By demonstrating the transcription process in real time with help from the audience, Steve had everyone listen and learn from such drummers as Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Joe Morello, Ringo Starr and Harvey Mason.
- Diane Downs and the Louisville Leopards Percussionists were an absolute ball to listen to. The ensemble consists of 40 or so students all between the ages of 7 and 12 !!! The results were outstanding and an inspiring concert of little people playing their hearts out. I really dug the tambourine second-line in the back row of the stage during the ensembles rendition of the Jackson Five's hit tune "ABC".
Here's a video clip of the Leopards performing at an IAJE concert from a few years ago to give you an idea of what they do:
- New York drum set artist Tobias Ralph demonstrated a contemporary and advanced approach to modern drum set groove playing. Lots of chops and an interesting approach to over-the-barline figures.
- Jazz Vibraphonist Jay Hoggard performed in a duet with Berklee professor and drummer Yoron Israel. Lots of great playing here from both Jay and Yoron. Hoggard is clearly steeped in the tradition, offered beautiful original compositions and I really enjoyed the seldom heard instrumental texture and combination of just the drums & vibraphone duet instrumentation.
(reminds of the Karl Berger/Ed Blackwell duet recording I have heard)
- John Wooton offered a great concert on steel drums. This is an instrument I'm interested in but have yet to have any exposure to. I always knew of John as a drum corps guy from his days with the Phantom Regiment, so I was impressed to see another side to his musicianship (which was outstanding !)
-Japanese drummer and Yamaha, Remo, Zildjian and Vic Firth artist Akira Jimbo (well, were reminded weren't we ? ;-) was over the top with his ridiculous chops and play-alongs to triggered melodies and grooves.
- Vibraphonist Dick Sisto with his quartet featuring Ed Soph on drums was a great contemporary jazz set featured on the late-night series at the Westin. I had a hard time trying to figure out who to watch more - Ed or Dick - they are both such masters on their instruments, and both instruments that I'm trying to master myself !!!
And now....
THE FOUR ON THE FLOOR PASIC 2009 MVP AWARDS
Thursday, November 14th - 2009
Todays FOUR ON THE FLOOR PASIC 2009 MVP AWARD goes to a session I chanced upon. Neither the session nor the artist were even mentioned in the general program (a late addition perhaps?). However, I did notice his name in the schedule-at-a-glance and decided to check him out.
Well, I'm glad I did !!!
The session featured Abbos Kosimov from Uzbekistan - a master frame drummer from Central Asia. He demonstrated basic strokes and time signature patterns for each of his frame drums and then proceed to bring the house down with his extended solos. His sound and technique was beautiful. This may be the best session I've seen so far this year at PASIC and I'm glad that the audience reacted with such enthusiasm and several standing applauses. This guy is a monster but clearly a down-to-earth and humble individual.
Now I just need to find out what his instruments are called !!!
*Update*
A poster to my blog has kindly informed me that this instrument he plays is called the Doyra and you can find out more about this artist at his website:
http://www.abboskosimov.com/
HIs main instrument is the doyra. You can find out more about him at his website, http://www.abboskosimov.com/.
ReplyDeleteThank you !
ReplyDeleteThe doyra it is indeed called after all.