Michael Pluznick » Music

When stuff comes up at drum circles or out performing

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:54:32 +0000

After I wrote my last blog post I went to the nightly drum circle here in Arambol Beach, Goa, India. It is quite large.

The drum circle usually starts off quite nicely before sunset but has been getting out of hand as the evening progresses. The drums entertain and also bring out the wild side of people, especially those who have been drinking all day prior to coming to watch,dance or drum!

drum jam [...]

Playing to the click track and other studio tips for percussionists in the recording studio

admin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 05:45:36 +0000

ver the last 25 years or more I have had the great pleasure and good luck to be able to record percussion in recording studios all around the world. My first recording studio experience playing percussion instruments was with my friend and first drum teacher George Terzis. George invited me to a small recording session to play some Brazilian and Afro Cuban rhythms on top of some funk music in Boston in 1979. There were two rooms and I was impressed by all the gear and the organization of all the recording equiptment as well. It was like a top secret spy room from an 007 movie! [...]

Mali Sunu ensemble, djembe solos by Michael Pluznick, Ben Isaacs

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 03:30:27 +0000

Michael Pluznick solos on djembe and then Ben Isaacs expresses his incredible feel and techniques as well. This is a longer version then I originally posted on Youtube. This video lesson features an explanation of the meaning of Mali Sunu played with more of a 4/4 feel. We also will be showing you a version in 6/8 feel soon here as well. Michael Pluznick plays traditional solo techniques or phrases on his Toca [...]

The late Great Pello EL Afrokan, our teacher

admin — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:43:33 +0000

Pello El Afrokan

In 1985 we traveled to Cuba to learn about Cuban culture, study the music and experience the Cuban lifestyle. We were young and looking for musical and cultural adventures . While staying at the hotel in Havana we met Pello el Afrokan in our lobby. We told him about our quest to study Cuban music, rhythm and dance and he took our small group of friends on [...]

All About Olodum

admin — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 08:29:52 +0000

Several years ago we went to Brazil to study Afro Brazilian music and dance. We were fortunate to meet members and teachers from the famous group Olodum. It took me years, but I was finally able to get some video footage up of our trip there so here it is! But first a little bit abut the group Olodum!

Olodum is an internationally acclaimed Afro-Brazilian cultural group from Bahia, Brazil. Olodum (pronounced oh-lo-doon) was [...]

LIVE…Master Djembe Drummer Bolokada Conde and Les Percussions Malinke

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:54:25 +0000

Djembe drum master Bolokada Conde and Les Percussions Malinke’s play traditional West African rhythms at a percussion show at La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley, CA in 2006. Bolokada Conde, one of world’s best djembe folas (professional djembe masters) with Master Balafon player Mohamed Kouyate and talented djembe and dunun (djun djun) drummers from SF Bay Area

Djembe meets DJ on Koh Samui w/DJ Steve, Bobby P on guitar and MP on Djembe

admin — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 09:22:56 +0000

A good time was had by all in this meeting of electronica and west african drumming at the BBC club and restaurant on Koh Samui Island, Thailand with DJ Steve , Bobby Parrs on guitar and Michael Pluznick on djembe drums, timbales and conga drums, too. Part one.

Djembe Master Bolokada Conde Djembe Drums with Les Percussions Melenke Peform at La Pena

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:34:39 +0000

Master Djembe drummer Bolokada Conde and Les Percussion Melenke performance ensemble and crew in an early West African djembe drum and African dance performance live in Oakland California at La Pena cultural Center for world music and world dance. Musicians from left to right: Bolokada, Wade Peterson, Michael Pluznick (djembe) Sean Areneda (dununs) Rafael djembe, Barron Chase (kinkini)

Much Fun @ Bali Treasures retail store and drum factory in Ubud Bali Indonesia

admin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:57:54 +0000

If you are a drummer or musician or just love percussion and you are ever in Bali (or on line) you owe it to yourself to check out Bali Treasures. I was recently in Ubud Bali where I had the pleasure to meet the owner of the Bali Treasures retail store Ed A. Balma. Ed also is owner of what is probably the worlds largest djembe manufacturing company. We went there afterwards and [...]

Beautiful traditional Thai flute music played on the street

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:04:26 +0000

Beautiful traditional Thai street flute music played on the street in Bangkok Thailand by happy musician I ran into by chance on one of my daily jaunts wandering the streets of Bangkok.

Mali Young Masters: Mali Djembe Drum Music Recording Session

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:36:25 +0000

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/arunabrulye

The Young Guns album was recorded at the community center directly outside the huge bustling market place in Sabalibougou, a small local district of Bamako. Siaka is the leader and premier soloist of this smaller group. He goes through a variety of popular yet traditional peices of djembe music as it is played by his age group in Bamako at weddings, ceremonies and group dance performances. This recording session is for the [...]

Rumba De Obatala “HD” @Big Buddha from ‘Rise Up’ CD

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:17:06 +0000

From Barabajaba Music and drumming group on the Big Island of Hawaii and San Francisco California as well. Featuring Jesse Seymour Vocals and Michael Pluznick joing him on percussion.