Michael Pluznick » Travel

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 [...]

“Music In Mali: Life Is Hard, Music Is Good” Movie preview

admin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:02:07 +0000

I am very happy and excited to tell you about an amazing new film documentary by Aja Salvatore called “Music In Mali: Life Is Hard, Music Is Good”. This feature-length documentary is about the musicians, dancers and everyday people of Mali who are creating inspiring heartfelt music in some of the most difficult living conditions of West Africa. [...]

There are many kinds and types of djembe and African drum rhythms

admin — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:20:42 +0000

Let’s face the facts. Until Mamady Keita arrived in the USA we were playing djembe ass backwards. For example, Mandiani was more often then not being played backwards as Soli, (Donba in Senegal) or visa versa. We were doing the best we could at the time as there was very limited resources available in the late 70′s and very few instructors as well. It was prior to the internet and consumer cmcorders were still [...]

Introducing the new MP Eco Pro 12″ and 13″ wood djembe drums

admin — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:14:49 +0000

After field testing and working closely with the Drum Factory and Ed Balma in Ubud, Bali for over a year we now have two new beautiful prototype MP Eco Pro wood djembe models ready for the market, a 12 " and a 13" (6ocm and 65cm) ! They will be distributed in the USA by X8. It's been a long and windy road bringing these drums to fruition but here they are. [...]

Studying West African drumming in Mali part one

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:27:47 +0000

My first trip to Africa was to Mali ,West Africa. I was always scared to go to Africa even though all my friends and students had already gone and the reports were always very positive. I was scared of getting sick. I heard the horror stories of people getting sick there, the poor hospitals, bad conditions and everything else. But in the back of my mind since I first started playing in the 70's I knew I would go, I knew I had to go. I was just waiting for the right timing, [...]

Studying in Guinee Part 1

admin — Tue, 31 May 2011 12:01:28 +0000

Many people often ask me "what was it like to study and travel in Guinee"? And "where did you like better Guinee or Mali"? I love both places to study and live but for different reasons. In Guinee I stayed with the late great Kemoko Sano and his family at his compound in Merveilles. I went to Guinea with an old friend who was traveling with me in Mali. But my friend did not like it there so he left after a few days to another compound. It was very interesting for me to stay in a place where no one spoke english except my teacher whose english was barely understandable at best. [...]

Drumming and playing music in bali

admin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:22:24 +0000

This last month I had the good fortune to be able to go to Bali once again. My focus was on teaching west african drum classes in Ubud and also playing with every band I could sit in with or gig (work) with. I had no idea that the musicians and drummers I would meet would be so receptive and talented. I had many interesting and surprising moments and experiences there as well. [...]

Amazing female dancer at West African Dununba drum and dance celebration at Kemoko Sano’s compound

admin — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 03:24:14 +0000

Very athletic and amazing dancers solo and perform at a “dununba” community drum and dance celebration. Dununba refers to “strong mans dance” as it was originaly called and used as. This djembe drum and west african dance party takes place at my friend and teachers house, the late, great and legendary master dancer, drummer and choreographer Kenoko Sano of Ballettes Africans fame.

Amazing and athletic dancers solo and perform at traditional “Dununba” drum and dance party @Kemoko Sano’s

admin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 03:13:23 +0000

Bali: Afro Cuban Folkloric drumming “comparsa” conga drum class

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:32:28 +0000

Excerpt from a recent Afro Cuban conga drum and percussion class given by Michael Pluznick in Raymond Rauchs art studio in Ubud Bali Indonesia. This video featurs the rhythm named “Comparsa” (aka “Conga) from Havana Cuba.

Bali from a drummers perspective

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:19:12 +0000

Photo slide show of my recent trip around the amazing and magical tropical island of Bali Indonesia. Includes photos of the many drums and drummers on the island as well. World percussion and djembe drum music by Barabajaba from the new CD entitled Rise Up. Music available on line at I Tunes and CD Baby.

Back in the Bay Area of Northern California, cold but beautiful!

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:02:34 +0000

Hi everyone. I am back from my trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It was a great trip visitng lot’s of beautiful places, meeting some very friendly people, seeing some new temples, beautiful scenery and great weather, too! I was very lucky.

Angkor Wat Temple City Sacred Temples

I really enjoyed going to all the temples and sacred sites in Asia. Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple city was truly amazing and I highly recommend [...]