Michael Pluznick » conga solo

How To Play A Conga Solo By Yourself With A Band

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:22:26 +0000

A conga student asked me recently, "how do I take a solo when I am playing with a band and the band stops, and I am left by myself? No one else is playing, it is just me"? This is a great question and here is how I do it. [...]

Playing cold at a hot gig in Bali, Indonesia

admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 05:27:30 +0000

What do you do when you are completely cold and suddenly have to play hot? Last night the islands best trumpet player performed with his band at Bali's version of Yoshis called interestingly enough, Ryopshi's! Any coincidence? Great sushi and great tunes. Rio Sadik, the trumpet player, singer and "star of the show", ( as James Brown would say), was in rare form. The venue was so packed you could not move. Raymond, my impromptu agent and good friend here in Bali, Indonesia called his long time pal Rio earlier to confirm me sitting in but I think I got there way to late and there was already another conga player there. [...]

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.

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

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:09:14 +0000

Barabajaba Percussion Ensemble from Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii and Bay Area California present Rumba De Obatala, a special tune off of the new Rise Up CD. Based on traditional afro cuban drum patterns. Filmed at Big Buddha Temple, Bo Phut, Koh Samui Island, Thailand. Orisha chants and vocals by Jesse Seyomour and Zahira. Shot in HD (high definition) on Canon 7D digital camera.

“Axe” by Barabajaba from the new CD, “Rise Up”, World Music

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:37:44 +0000

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

This world and African/Brasilian (Brazilian) influenced music, percussion and drumming video with chants is from the new CD, “Rise Up” by the Hawaii and California based percussion ensemble, Barabajaba and features Zahira and Boaz on vocals,and percussion arrangements by Jesse Seymour and MIchael Pluznick. This Brazilian (Brasilian) based “HD” (high definition 1080i) piece features, congas, bata, shekere and drumming and percussion including congas. All photos taken by Michael Pluznick except for all [...]

Space, the final frontier. Add a little space to your solo’s!

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:36:00 +0000

Space, the final frontier. Soloing concepts

Most young soloists and even experienced players play too many notes. My suggestion is to approach drumming as a musical composition. In music, soloing is more about what you don’t play, then what you do play. I am talking about space. Phrasing and space. Space and phrasing. As Lao Tsu the legendary philosopher once said, ” it is not the walls that are important but the space with [...]

Barabajaba Live in Puna: “Maracatu”: Brazil meets Hawaaii!!

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:15:01 +0000

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

This video is: Barabajaba Live in Puna: “Maracatu” w/Lisa Dixon and her Brasilian dance group. Taken at a performance @ Kalani resort in Puna (Pahoa) Hawaii and it features Brazilian drum and dance with Boaz Hashimoto Martin playing lead drum *(quinto) or solo.

“Marineiro” by Barabajaba

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:42:12 +0000

This is new music from the new CD Rise Up by Barabajaba percussion ensemble located in Hawaii and San Francisco California. This video was shot at Kronkite beach near the Golden Gate Bridge by Michael Pluznick on his new Nikon D70 digital camera.

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

Back in Bangkok

admin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:17:52 +0000

This is my latest video with photos of Bangkok parks and streets. It features a new world/latin music piece entitled, Neuvo Rumbero from the Miles Dean CD by Michael Pluznick and Joel Lindheimer, and also features Bill Ortiz from the Santana band on trumpet as well. You can listen to or buy this tune or the full CD at CDBaby.

“La Mar” from the new CD “Miles Dean” by Michael Pluznick

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:04:27 +0000

This song is called La Mar , new world music and ethnic jazz by percussionist michael pluznick and guitarist joel lindheimer from the new CD, “Miles Dean”. The photos were taken in and around Northern California and beyond.