Category: Featured Music
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An Interview With Michael Markus Of Wula Drum
I had the good fortune recently to have a Q and A session with the incredible Michael Markus. Known not only for his great drumming, wit and humour he is co founder of the Wula Drum company, Wula Dance Retreat and runs the World Percussion Center in NYC. For many years he has been one of the… Read More »
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Sol Percussion is back in action! With Akbar Moghaddam
Sol Percussion by Akbar Moghaddam is back! This is great news for the percussion world as Akbar is always very innovative and creative and the percussion and conga drum-cajon-bongo market needs his wonderful new products and insight to push the bar even higher then where it is currently at now. I have always loved his… Read More »
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Sol Percussion by Akbar Is Back And Better Than Ever!
Sol Percussion by legendary drum artisan Akbar is finally back. He is now up and running with new and improved products including hand made bongos and cajons from a variety of local and exotic hardwoods. Congas will be following shortly. Akbar Moghaddam not only manufactured Sol in the past he also owned Valje and redesigned the… Read More »
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Namory Keita Djembe Fola From The Hamanah Region Of Guinea West Africa
Namory Keita a Melenke Djembe Fola, (djembe master) from the Hamanah region of Guinea West Africa is living and teaching on the east coast of the USA in New England. I have been spending the last two months studying and performing with Namory and I would like to report that not only is he an… Read More »
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One on One Interview with Ryan Manito Wendel of Manito Percussion
As you may all already know, or if you have seen any of my videos or posts, I am a huge fan of the Manito Percussion solid shell one peice congas, bongos and natural drum skins. As a matter of fact, I have a set of Maple Ambrosia congas and also his black walnut bongos,… Read More »
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Interview: Afro Caribbean Folkloric Dancer And Dance Teacher Kimberly Miguel Mullen
I recently had the opportunity to work with the amazing dancer and dance teacher Kimberly Miguel Mullen at her special Afro Cuban Folkloric dance workshop in Nevada City, California. Nevada city is situated on the beautiful Yuba river and is a thriving tourist and drum and dance community as well. Read More »
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Giovanni Hildago, Zakir Hussain, Karamba Diabate And Our Group Rhythm Addicts, A Night To Remember
Last night was the celebration of the late Olatunji’s birthday. I am not sure how old he would have been. He was a man who changed my life and helped inspire me as well as countless others in the field of percussion and beyond. I was grateful to be part of an evening of celebration… Read More »
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PM Percussion: An Interview With Drum Builder Peter Musser
I recently went to the studios of Peter Musser in Petaluma, California to see what exactly he was up to and I was blown away by the incredible drums he is making! Anyone considering an “artisan” conga, a conga drum or set of congas from an individual craftsman, should definitely check out Peter’s work. Here… Read More »
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Axé Orixá is a film of the dance, drumming and chants of the Orixás
About the film: An illuminated film transmitting the dance, drumming and chants of the Orixás and their living presence in modern Brazilian culture. Axé Orixá (pronounced ashay orishah) is a film of the dance, drumming and chants of the Orixás (Afro-Brazilian gods and goddesses) and how they manifest today through some of Bahia’s greatest musicians… Read More »
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“Keepers of the Flame” is a documentary about the elder Cubano statesmen of Rumba
“Keepers of the Flame” is a documentary about the elder statesmen of Rumba who live in Matanzas and Havana. Francisco Zamorra Chirino, (“Menini”) and Pedro Aballi Torriente (“Regalado”) are two of these elder statesmen and co-founders of AfroCuba de Matanzas, one of Cuba’s preeminent folkloric groups. Both Menini and Regalado are the keepers of the… Read More »
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Long time conga player tells his story, an article by guest writer Michael Schwartz
By guest writer Michael Schwartz I grew up in the Bronx during the period of time that the Bronx was going through an evolution. This is in the late 50’s/early 60’s. The neighborhoods were predominately Irish/Italian/Jewish, but were then starting to have an influx of Cuban, Puerto Rican and Afro Americans. My particular block, had… Read More »
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Rumba in Havana, 1985 with Raices Profunda w/Juan Diaz
This is a classic rumba video from my vault. It features the group, “Raices Profunda” (Deep Roots) from Havana Cuba. The dance and drum rhythm is called rumba columbia. Read More »