Drumming for Peace

Neon Drumming 2

2012-01-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

Drumming for Peace at Zion Mennonite Church, Oct. 9, 2011

2011-10-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

"Pintando o Seis" - UDU solo

2011-09-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

Nadishana - solo on Water Udu, a wind-percussion instrument

2011-09-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

Marco Faddo: Hypnotic Udu

2011-09-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

Drumming for Peace at Oregon Festival for World Relief

2011-09-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 8, 2011

7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Leo Hartshorn will be peforming Drumming for Peace at 2 pm

Linn County Fair & Expo Center
Albany, Oregon

Proceeds benefit

Free Admission
Free Parking

Neil Peart on David Letterman

2011-06-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

Roy Haynes: Vintage Jazz Drummer

2011-06-10T08:02:00.001-07:00

Shiela E: Still Amazing!

2011-06-10T08:00:00.001-07:00

Bendir Solo

2011-05-26T17:06:00.001-07:00

Interview about Beauregard Ajax for It's Psychedelic Baby mag

2011-05-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

Interview I did for Kleman Brenikar concerning my 60's group Beauregard Ajax for It's Psychedelic Baby magazine: http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2011/05/beauregard-ajax-my-interview-with-leo.html

The Buzz Roll by Billy Ashbaugh

2011-04-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Joe Morello: One of my drum idols from the 60s

2011-03-12T12:31:00.001-08:00

Drum Practice #2 (2011)

2011-03-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

Drum Practice #1 (2011)

2011-03-06T12:28:00.001-08:00

I am the Bread of Life

2011-03-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

02 I am the Bread of Life by Leo Hartshorn

An original song I wrote for communion when I was a pastor.

Middle East Jam

2011-03-06T11:56:00.001-08:00

05 Middle East Jam by Leo Hartshorn

Conrad Moore on flute and percussion, myself on percussion (2003)

Guaguanco Jam

2011-03-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

Guaguanco Jam by Leo Hartshorn

Conrad Moore and myself on drums.

Thula Sizwe: South African Song

2011-03-06T11:46:00.000-08:00

06 Thule Sizwe by Leo Hartshorn

Conrad More, Michelle Armster and myself on vocals, Conrad and I on percussion.

Creator in Heaven

2011-03-06T11:41:00.000-08:00

03 Creator in Heaven (version 2) by Leo Hartshorn

Recorded at the home of a friend, Conrad Moore, in Lancaster, PA in 2003. We were in a multiracial,multicultural group together, Revelation 7:9. Conrad and I sing and play percussion together.

Sacred Drumming Class at Lancaster Theological Seminary

2011-03-01T15:05:00.000-08:00

A photo of my Sacred Drumming Summer Course is in the latest edition of Lancaster Theological Seminary's Leadership Letter

Spinnin' Wheel

2011-02-01T07:55:00.000-08:00

14 Year Old Japanese Girl Amazing on the Drums!

2011-01-29T09:07:00.000-08:00

If you haven't seen this amazing young drummer, check her out!

are drums too earthy and sensual for churches

2011-01-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

are drums too earthy and sensual for churches

The Drummer: a short film by Bill Block

2010-12-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

Defeated and alone, Dave wanders the streets in the early hours of his 40th birthday. His great love is music... from a long forgotten era… and he has dedicated himself to it. Unfortunately, no one’s listening.

This is the end of Dave’s dream… and things go from bad to worse until… he is offered a job: a wedding in Connecticut. He gets one last chance to play, but with a band he has never met.

The elaborate estate where the reception is to take place intimidates him. Drums set up; he nervously fidgets as the Wedding Party and their moneyed Guests gather to celebrate.

The band is late and Dave must endure the wrath of the Party Planner. Only the Singer has shown up and the music is supposed to start. Since this is his last shot, Dave decides to play. It is a disaster. The Guests are horrified and the Bride is in tears but Dave keeps playing. The Groom is ready to kill but is stopped by his own parents who have come onto the dance floor to request a song. Dave obliges and as he plays, they dance beautifully together which inspires the Singer to join in. Suddenly, the scene takes on a palpable magic and the room is spellbound.

Later…
The band finally shows and discovers the party going wild while Dave and the Singer perform an up-tempo crowd pleaser from the Big Band era. As Dave channels his musical heroes, he is reborn.

Info on the film at:
http://www.thedrummershort.com/

You can watch the film short at:
http://vimeo.com/15273009

Trailer:

Djole and Hot Chocolate Break

2010-12-06T20:53:00.000-08:00

Went to Rhythm Traders here in Portland this evening for their first Monday free djembe lesson led by Caton Lyles. We learned the West African rhythm Djole and this break created by Caton Lyles.

Drummer Connection

2010-11-29T10:12:00.000-08:00

These 2 videos were posted this morning on Facebook by Drummer Connection. If you are on Facebook, look them up. They provide great drum lessons and resources. Or go to their website at: http://www.drummerconnection.com/

Dangerous Timbaleros of Cuba

2010-11-27T11:27:00.000-08:00

Billy Ashbaugh Lessons: Paradiddle Grooves Workouts 1-4

2010-11-17T16:09:00.000-08:00

Conga Meditation by Candlelight, 2001

2010-10-28T16:05:00.001-07:00

Drumming Practice, 2000, Lancaster, PA

2010-10-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

Drumming at the Beach, near Malibu, 2001

2010-10-24T23:31:00.000-07:00

Basement Drumming, around 2000, Lancaster, PA

2010-10-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

Just found this old video I took of a practice in Lancaster, PA back around 2000

Working on Re-Establishing DFP on West Coast

2010-10-23T16:38:00.001-07:00

Recently I spent some time painting 40 buckets I purchased with 40 pairs of sticks. I also designed a letterhead, made business cards, and mailed them out to local elementary schools and congregations in Oregon and Washington. It will take a lot of work to get my DFP program re-established on the West Coast after 7 years doing the programs based on the East Coast.

Master Djembe Player, Mamady Keita

2010-10-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

Drumming for Peace at Grand Theater, Salem, Oregon

2010-10-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

I will be performing a portion of my Drumming for Peace program "Joyful Noise" for Peace Works' MyPreace Project at the Grand Theater in Salem, Oregon on Sunday, October 10, 2010 between 2 and 5 pm.

My 60's group, Beauregard Ajax, on YouTube

2010-10-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

Dole Drums

2010-09-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

Rock on, little elf dude!

2010-09-03T16:59:00.001-07:00

Street Musician: San Francisco Wharf

2010-09-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

Took a short vacation to San Francisco last week and spent the first day at Fisherman's Wharf. There are always interesting performances by street musicians, many very talented. This jazz musician was one of them.

Bendin' the Bendir

2010-08-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

Drummin' Guitar: using the guitar like a drum

2010-08-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

Drummer Richie Hayward of Little Feat Dies

2010-08-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Richie Hayward, Drummer, Dies at 64
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: August 14, 2010

Richie Hayward, a rock drummer who was an original member of Little Feat, an eclectic band that has maintained a devoted following for decades, died Thursday near Vancouver, British Columbia. He was 64.

His death was confirmed by his publicist, Bridget Nolan, who said Mr. Hayward had been suffering from liver cancer and was waiting for a transplant.

Over the past year, benefits had been staged on behalf of Mr. Hayward, who had no health insurance.

Mr. Hayward formed Little Feat in 1969 with the guitarist, singer and songwriter Lowell George, the keyboardist Bill Payne and the bassist Roy Estrada, and remained a member through its various incarnations. Though basically rock, its music drew from a variety of other genres, including country, jazz and blues. Among the band’s best-known songs were “Willin’ ” and “Dixie Chicken.”

The group fell apart in 1979 after Mr. George died, but re-formed in 1987 and had been touring ever since. Mr. Hayward last performed with Little Feat on July 11.

In addition to working with Little Feat, Mr. Hayward recorded with Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, Buddy Guy, Barbra Streisand and many others.

Kassoum Sanogo djembe solos 1, 2, 3, and 4

2010-08-17T14:10:00.000-07:00

Guitar Goofin': Me on my Strat

2010-08-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

Dr. Oliver Sacks on Music: You Never Lose Rhythm!

2010-08-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Oliver Sacks

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Songs by Zac Hendricks, formerly of Beauregard Ajax

2010-08-09T17:36:00.000-07:00

You do udu?; Framedrum Five; Tambour Tappin'; Doumbek Ditty

2010-08-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

Washington Park Summer Festival

2010-08-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

Went to the first of the Washington Park Summer Festival evenings featuring Portland Taiko (Japanese Drumming: http://www.portlandtaiko.org/) and Lions of Batucada (Brazilian drumming:http://www.lionsofbatucada.com/)at the Rose Garden Ampitheater in downtown Portland. There was a crowd and lots of rhythm!

Tohpati and Ethnomission: Save the Planet

2010-08-04T23:55:00.000-07:00

Tohpati and Ethnomission

2010-08-04T21:06:00.001-07:00

Whoa!! Drummers, you gotta give this a listen! Just watched this video and was blown away by the funky world-ethno-jazz-fusion group Ethnomission. Pulled this info off the internet:

Tohpati Ethnomission is a band formed in 2009. The kingpin of this band is a guitar player who is called Tohpati. Tohpati is known as a member of the band that is called Simak Dialog from Indonesia.

Tohpati participated in Simak Dialog in 1993. And, the activity of Solo has been started since 1998.

This band reflects the music character followed from Simak Dialog in own band and is developing it. The music character that adds the tradition musical instruments of Indonesia to the music character that makes Jazz Rock a base is a music character that should be called gamelan Fusion and ethno Jazz.

- Members -

Tohpati - electric guitar midi synth guitar
Indro Hradjodikoro - bass guitar
Diki Suwajiki - suling
Endang Ramdan - kendang,gong,kenong
Demas Narawangsa - rebana,kempluk, trap set

Check out this website: http://www.reverbnation.com/tohpatiethnomission

2003 Staley Lecture: Rhythmic and Irenic Pedagogy or Teaching Peace with a Funky Beat

2010-08-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

In 2003 I was surprised to be invited to do the Staley Lecture at Bethel College Newton, Kansas on Drumming for Peace! I had only started the program a year earlier near the same time I received my doctorate, which was in Anabaptist preaching. Who was I to be giving the Staley Lecture. But, I affirmed the invitation. My lecture covered biblical and cultural background on drumming and transforming the drum, often used in war, to become an instrument of peace. At the end of my lecture I performed several teaching exercises with plastic buckets and sticks using students attending the lecture, an unusual lecture indeed! The lecture is listed at: http://www.bethelks.edu/academics/lectures/staley.php I just found a CD of the lecture and translated into a form I could download. So, here it is. Click title, even though it says it is not available. It is.

01 Staley Lecture 2003 Rhythmic and Irenic Pedagogy or Teaching Peace with a Funky Beat by Leo Hartshorn

Deaf Priscilla: Beauregard Ajax (1968)

2010-08-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

My 60s rock group Beauregard Ajax. Music recorded at Del-Fi Records, Hollywood, CA, 1968. Fore more info on the group and album go to: http://drummingforpeace.blogspot.com/2009/02/beauregard-ajax-deaf-priscilla.html

Deaf Priscilla, Beauregard Ajax by Leo Hartshorn

Drumming for Peace "Peace Train" Exercise: 2009 Mennonite Church USA assembly, Columbus, Ohio on YouTube

2010-06-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Drumming at Portland Saturday Market

2010-06-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

Went to Portland Saturday Market downtown today with family and saw these drummers and an African drum stand.

Drumming for Peace workshop: 2009 Mennonite Church USA convention, Columbus, Ohio

2010-04-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Check out my Drumming for Peace worshop at the 2009 Mennonite Church USA convention in Columbus, Ohio with a couple hundred youth attending! The brief clip is at 4:56 on the video.

Psalm Drummers: Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

2010-04-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

"The Psalm Drummers are pioneers. They show that rhythm is woven into the fabric of our humanity, and when taken up by the Spirit, can be a powerful means of prayer, worship, witness and education in a post modern culture. They are reaching hundreds of people who otherwise will have nothing to do with the Church. They deserve every support." Revd. Dr. Jeremy Begbie - Ridley Hall, Cambridge, UK

*Psalm Drummers are Christian drummers and percussionists that serve the church and the drumming community declaring Christ as King.

Psalm Drummers are served by The Psalm Drummers Association (PDA) an unincorporated association that works within the guidelines of the UK Charity commission, alongwith with a core team of drummers from the network community. The Trustees are Mark Jones (Southampton), Michelle Tennens (Colchester) and Simon Edwards (Belfast). Psalm Drummers was founded in 1996 by drummer/percussionist Terl Bryant.

The vision is to stir up prayer, praise and worship and lead people to Christ through drumming. It is a call to drummers everywhere to drum out a new beat that carries the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. Psalm Drummers encourage a life lived in time with the heartbeat of God, and in the worship of Jesus Christ. Our core values are rooted in the Christian Faith and God’s Word, the Bible.

Main activities:

1.Discipling in Bible based values those who have a heart to drum.
2.Facilitating prayer, praise and worship within the Church.
3.Unifying the divided and ministering to the poor through mission and outreach initiatives.
4.Furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ through His gifts in us.

*from website: http://www.psalmdrummers.org/

The USA division is Drummers for Jesus: http://www.drummersforjesus.com/

New Oumou Sangare video

2010-04-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

New video of Oumou Sangare, a Malian Wassalou singer and advocate for women's rights in her country. The scratchboard is from my series M.U.S.I.C.: Musicians Undermining Social Injustice Creatively.

In Memory of Jim Wearden

2010-04-21T12:39:00.001-07:00

This week an old friend and bandmember from the early 60's passed away. We both went to Hueneme High School (Port Hueneme, California) together and played in a band called the Agents in Oxnard, California in my sophmore year (age 15). He was a great singer and harmonica player. (He is on the far left in the photo and plays harmonica in the videos). Farewell, old friend.

Pit Band for Third US Army Soldier Show (1970-71)

2010-03-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I have seen this photo from almost 40 years ago! It was sent to me by a fellow Third Army Soldier Show musician (Stephen Barr on trombone). I am the 22 year old on the drums. You can see other photos and playbills of the TUSA Soldier Show on this blog.

Plastic Musik: Boomwhackers

2010-02-27T08:31:00.000-08:00

New Remo Tattoo Skyns Drum Heads: Design by Corey Miller of LA Ink

2010-02-22T17:41:00.001-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/remopercussion/sets/72157623045373673/show/

Beauregard Ajax: Happy Brontosaurus

2010-02-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

Found this silly song from my 60's rock group, Beauregard Ajax, on youtube today.

Surf Rocker Richard Delvy Dead at 67 - Spinner

2010-02-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

Surf Rocker Richard Delvy Dead at 67 - Spinner

Drummer Joke

2010-02-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

One day Gene Krupa goes to his mailbox. Inside he finds a letter addressed to "The World's Greatest Drummer." He says to himself, "Well, I'm not the world's greatest drummer," so he sends the letter to Louis Bellson. Bellson gets the letter and decides that it's not meant for him, so he sends it to Shelly Manne. Shelly decides it's not meant for him, so he sends it to Buddy Rich. Buddy Rich just assumes that it's for him, so he tears it open and reads the first line: "Dear Ringo....."

Third US Army Soldier Show: Hello Dolly (1971)

2010-02-04T22:57:00.000-08:00

This 1971 production of Hello Dolly was the first performance of the Broadway musical by a military company. The show included all the music with band accompaniment, the play, stage, changing scenery, lighting, and choreography. The production was unique also in the fact the cast was integrated with all the major couples being interracial. And to think that this was performed in the South in 1971! Pretty progressive for an army unit.

By the time we got to doing this production I had already played drums for a number of Broadway Show tunes from the previous Soldier Shows. So, for a former Rock/Blues drummer to play for a complete Broadway musical was a special experience. I consider myself priveleged to have been able to play and tour with around 6 Soldier Shows, and particularly for this big production of Hello Dolly at the age of 22.

Third US Army Soldier Show: Good Time Summer Time (1971)

2010-02-03T18:14:00.001-08:00

This show was made up mostly of popular music on the radio in 1971. I can still hear the deep baritone voice of Anthony Burke singing the Robert Goulet's "It's Impossible." His amazing voice sounded like Goulet. I wonder where he is today? Still singing? This show did include the 1971 Broadway show tune, Purlie, from the musical of the same name. We had done "Walk Him Up the Stairs" from Purlie in our show "Getting It Together, Now." The show concluded with "Open a New Window" from the Broadway musical "Mame."

Third US Army Soldier Show: Turned On, Tuned In, Out A Sight (1970)

2010-02-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

This was my second show with the Third US Army Soldier Show. I'm sorry I don't have any photos from this production. It started off with the overture from the Who's "Tommy" and went right into songs from "The Me Nobody Knows," an off-Broadway musical that opened in 1970 and later went to Broadway. The popular songs were interspersed with occasional short jokes, kinda like vaudeville.

The shows final act was a tribute to George M. Cohan and Funny Girl, Fanny Brice featuring Debbie McWhirter. The Finale was a a patriotic fanfare with Yankee Doodle Dandy and You're a Grand Old Flag. This got the troops on their feet! (As an Anabaptist, I now cringe at my role in promoting such nationalistic fervor!)

Third US Army Soldier Show (1970): Getting It Together, Now

2010-02-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

Over the past few years I have reconnected with a number of former members of the Third US Army Soldier Show that I played drums for from 1970-71 (40 years ago!) at the ages of 21 and 22. Some members from earlier years recently put up a website and contacted me about adding info from the years I was a member (see the website at http://www.tusa-showmobile.com/).

I have written some stories about my experiences in the Third US Army Soldier Show for Youth Peace Resources at: http://peace.mennolink.org/cgi-bin/blog/6.cgi?about. My basic story is that I was drafted at the age of 20 into the Army during the Vietnam War. Since I did not believe in killing other human beings, I went as a conscientious objector and was trained as an Army medic. I ended up working in an Army base pharmacy in Augusta, Georgia. While working there Terry Moretti, trumpet player for the Third US Army Soldier Show just happened to come in the back of the pharmacy for some cough syrup he needed before a show that evening. Having been a drummer since grade school and having played and recorded with the group Beauregarde Ajax, I asked him about auditioning for the show. After the show that evening I auditioned for a 4 month temporary assignment to the Soldier Show, based in Atlanta, Georgia. A month or so after the audition I received notice that I had been accepted into the show. I was transfered to Third Army Headquarters in Atlanta.

"Getting It Together, Now" was my first of 4-5 different shows with the Third US Army. The show included pop songs on the radio and usually a section of Broadway show tunes. We rehearsed for 2 months and toured the South for 2 months playing at Army bases, similar to a USO show. The troup traveled with a tour bus and truck that hauled instruments, stage, lighting and sound equipment. Soldiers in the show received, if I remember correctly, $3 extra dollars a day while on the road. Wow! The show was run by civilians (director, band conductor, choreographer, sound technician) with an Army officer over our company to make sure we kept ourselves in line.

I remember letting my mustache grow longer than regulation on this first tour (I was a long haired musician living in LA when I was drafted in 1969). When we returned to base I tried to keep it long, but was commanded to cut my long mustache back to regulation standard (Mustaches could not grow past the corners of your mouth). I didn't like the Army and particularly being told what to do. So next morning I show up with it cut into a Hitler mustache! It was not appreciated.

Since I was the pit band drummer I was responsible for many of the cues and regulating the tempos of the music for the show, which were much too fast for my musical tastes. At times the tempos sounded carnivalesque! It took a lot of memorization and many times rehearsals on the weekends.

After the first show, which was to be a temporary assignment, I and a few others in the show were kept on as permanent members to provide some continuity as new members were added each show from the auditions held at the various bases where we performed.

My 18 months in the Third US Army Soldier Show not only built up my drumming chops, but provided an enjoyable and memorable expoerience during my time in the US Army.

My next few post will be photos and playbills from other Third US Army Soldier Show productions.

Beauregard Ajax: My 60's Rock Group

2010-01-30T11:16:00.000-08:00

Found this bio and these songs from my 60's group, Beauregard Ajax, on the internet this morning (That's me on the drums with "Feather in a Bottle"):

Bio:http://beauregard_ajax.totallyexplained.com/

Billy Ashbaugh: Double Bass Shuffle Lesson

2010-01-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

New Electronic Drum Kit from Pearl

2010-01-28T14:58:00.000-08:00

Two Portland Drum Stores I Recommend

2010-01-16T20:38:00.000-08:00

Today I visited two drum shops in Portland, Oregon where I now live. I would recommend these stores for anyone visiting Portland or who orders drums or accessories online.

This was my first visit to Cedar Mountain Drums. It is located at 22 37 E. Burnside Street, Portland, Oregon, 97214-1653, 503-235-6345, website: www.cedarmtndrums.com. I met the owner Patrick Pinson, who has been in business for over 20 years and makes his own hand drums and has a Native American from Oregon paint them. The specialty of the store is Native American drums. Some beautiful designs. He ships them all over the world. Cedar Mountain drums also has drum circles every Wednesday of the month for different groups of people.

The second store I visited is a five star drum store. Rhythm Traders. It is located at 3904 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97212, 503-288-6950, website: www.rhythmtraders.com. I ordered items from the store before I moved to Portland. The store carries drum sets, accessories, DVDs, CDs, books, Latin percussion, and African percussion instruments. The store has ongoing lessons for set, Latin, and African percussion as well as big name clinics and workshops. If you are ever in Portland, you have to visit this store!

Ed Thigpen, Jazz drummer died today

2010-01-14T22:36:00.000-08:00

Read story in LA Times at: http://xml.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ed-thigpen15-2010jan15,0,7197594.story

See his great brushwork at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecIpU5jVBUA

Tony Royster, Jr.

2010-01-14T21:13:00.001-08:00

James Owen Sullivan, drummer for Avenged Sevenfold, dead

2009-12-29T14:11:00.000-08:00

James Owen Sullivan, the drummer for the Huntington Beach rock band Avenged Sevenfold, died Monday, Orange County authorities said.

Sullivan, 28, of Huntington Beach, also performed as a backup vocalist for the group of trained multi-instrumental musicians with classical influences, which formed in 1999.“The cause of death is still under investigation,” said Deputy Coroner Mitchell Sigal. “An autopsy has been scheduled.”

Sullivan was discovered "unresponsive" in his Huntington Beach home at 11 a.m., authorities said.

News of the musician's death prompted many messages of condolence on the band’s Internet fan sites.

The group, which blended melodic hard rock with the emotional drive of hard-core punk, was named Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2006. Sullivan was its hard-driving drum master.

"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan," read a statement on the group’s website late Monday night.

"Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother,” it said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time. Jimmy you are forever in our hearts. We love you."

-- Louis Sahagun

*Note- The band's name, "Avenged Sevenfold," is a reference to a biblical text in Genesis of Lamech's reference to the killing of Cain by Abel, whose death would be avenged sevenfold, though God had marked him with a sign to protect him from vengeance. The band's name is just another instance of the glorification of vengeance and violence in Rock and Roll.

Little Drummer Boy: Stomp Style

2009-12-25T16:01:00.000-08:00

In Memoriam: Bob Keane (January 5, 1922 – November 28, 2009)

2009-12-06T22:37:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was watching on TV the old movie "La Bamba" about the 50's singer Ritchie Valens. I have seen it a number of times and everytime I watch it I think about an old friend, Bob Keane, who produced Ritchie Valens and the group I played drums for in the late 60's, Beauregard Ajax. After the movie I went to my computer and googled "Ritchie Valens" and then "Bob Keane." I soon discovered that Bob Keane died recently on November 28, 2009 at the age of 87.

Our group connected with Bob Keane through a high school friend of mine from my Home town, Oxnard California, Patrick Landreville. Bob Keane listened to our demos and invited us to LA to consider a recording contract with Del-Fi Records. Our group moved into an apartment in LA in 1968 and started recording with Bob at Del-Fi recording studios a block south of Hollywood and Vine Streets. The recording sessions were long and often tedious, but we completed most of the recordings. All was left was some fine tuning, addition of strings and other concluding work when Bob lost his studio. That was the end of our recordings. Bob kept the masters. Years later copies of those master ended up floating around in Europe. Beaurgeard Ajax split up in early 1969 and went different directions. Clint Williams, the bass player, and myself joined an 18 year old amazing guitarist Bill Conners, who later joined with Chick Corea's Return to Forever. I stayed with "Middle Earth" until I was drafted into the Army late 1969, where I ended up playing drums in the Third Army Soldier Show.

Many years later, 36 years to be exact, I googled the name "Beauregard Ajax" and to my surprise discovered that our album, first recorded with Bob Keane at Del-Fi, had been released on a vinyl record by Shadoks Records in Germany and later on a CD. None of the original band members has made any royalties off those recordings that we made as young men so long ago, but I am blessed to have known Bob Keane, to have recorded at Del-Fi, to have been able to see others from another generation enjoy our music today. Thanks, Bob, for your life story and for connecting to my life story. Rest in peace, Bob.

LA Times story on Bob Keane: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-bob-keane1-2009dec01,0,2711217.story

Partygoer recalls terrifying moment drummer Gerhardt Fuchs died falling down elevator shaft

2009-11-09T16:18:00.000-08:00

Partygoer recalls terrifying moment drummer Gerhardt Fuchs died falling down elevator shaft: "RSS"

Sufi Mystic Jalaluddin Rumi

2009-10-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Today, like every other day,
we wake up empty and frightened.
Don't open the door to the study and begin reading.
Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.

Jalaluddin Rumi, Sufi Mystic

Dürer's Therapeutic Drummer

2009-10-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading a biography of the German master painter and engraver, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). I noticed a drummer in one of his altarpieces. The drummer is on one of the four surviving panels of the Jabach Altar, which was commissioned by Frederick the Wise for the chapel of a bathhouse above a mineral spring.

The Jabach altarpiece was originally parts of two wings that were later sawn apart. One panel depicts Job sitting in a dung-heap, a man afflicted with boils through a test devised by Satan in a challenge to God. The painting may have marked the end of the plague in 1503. His wife is depicted in the panel as pouring slop on him as a form of castigation or water as a form of healing. The "healing waters" of the painting may be a more appropriate interpretation of Job's wife's action in that the image connects to the therapeutic springs of the bathhouse where the painting resided.

This interpretation would also be reinforced by the adjacent panel with the pipe player and drummer. They appear to be seeking to comfort Job in his suffering with their own "music therapy." Dürer paints a drummer as providing "therapeutic" music to a suffering Job. A "therapeutic" drummer for Job? Drums for healing?

Drumming has been part of the healing rituals and practices of various religions and cultures of the world. In his book The Healing Drum: African Healing Teaching, Yaya Diallo tells stories of drummers in the Manianka culture of West Africa who use their music in healing psychological, spiritual, and physical sickness. Shamanic drumming has been used as a healing practice for centuries. In more recent years drumming has found a place within music therapy. Christine Stevens, a Director of Music Therapy and Wellness Programs for Remo, Inc., co-created HealthRHYTHMS, a drum circle facilitation for integrative medicine. Psychotherapist Robert Lawrence Friedman has written extensively about the use of drumming in spiritual, emotional, and physical therapy in his book The Healing Power of the Drum.

So, I guess Dürer's image of a drummer beating rhythms with a pipe player to bring healing to a suffering Job is not so far fetched after all.

Images of Sacred Drumming Workshop on Lancaster Theological Seminary Continuing Education website

2009-10-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

I taught a 6 week credited course on Sacred Drumming at Lancaster Theological Seminary for two years and a couple of drum workshops for 3 years at the Summer Academy when I lived in Lancaster, PA. Images from those workshops can be found on the new Lancaster Theological Seminary Continuing Education website at:

http://www.livingtheadventure.org/

Keith Moon, drummer for The Who

2009-10-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

I told people I was a drummer before I even had a set, I was a mental drummer.

Buddy Rich, lengendary jazz drummer

2009-09-30T21:43:00.001-07:00

Almost everything I've done, I've done through my own creativity. I don't think I ever had to listen to anyone else to learn how to play drums. I wish I could say that for about ten thousand other drummers.

To the Spirit of the Drum: a poem by Beth Dyer

2009-09-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

Infuse me with the secrets of old
Of pulse and rhythm, crisp and bold.
Patterns flowing out and in
Tip to skin, then back again.

Lightning hands, a-blazing spirit
Fill me up, don’t let me fear it.
That I may live in your embrace
On the beat, and full of grace.
Ashe.

James Asher, multi-unstrumentalist

2009-09-24T22:48:00.000-07:00

Groove has a relationship to the whole area of trance, repetition, meditation and hypnosis. One view is that by repeating things beyond a certain point, the listener`s mind is forced to jump off to a new place. But rhythm goes very deep at instinctive level too, and has become increasingly an antidote for me to excess infomation. Losing myself in playing a hand drum gives me a route to shedding all the clutterings and clammerings of a world over-rich with media, and finding a more wholesome space.

John Bergamo, percussionist

2009-09-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

Percussion is like walking through the forest. You can't possibly see it all, there are endless possibilities of what you can do.

Starting the Journey in Portland with a Beat

2009-09-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

I am getting settled in my new home in Portland, Oregon. I have my own room for my drums and artwork (see photos above). It will take me some time before I begin to re-establish Drumming for Peace on the West Coast. I have ordered enough drumsticks and have started looking for 5 gallon plastic buckets for my Joyful Noise and Found Sounds programs. The work of connecting to schools, churches, and other institutions will take some time.

I am near Rhythm Traders, a premier drum store here in Portland. I already bought a new djembe from Guinea and had a lesson from actor and percussionist Caton Lyles (above photo-www.catonlyles.com). I have the opportunity to teach some drum classes at Rhythm Traders in the near future. I am looking forward to many new avenues to explore in music and drumming on the West Coast.

Layne Redmond, frame drummer

2009-09-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

Sound is power and the first sound we hear is the pulse of our mother's blood. No sound has a more powerful effect on our consciousness. Drumming is the musical expression of this primal power. Rhythm is a means of organizing sound into specific energy formulas to harmonize the mind and body. Chanting, rhythmic breathing and drumming form an ancient technology for directly synchronizing the mind/body complex, creating conditions for psychological and physical healing.

Arthur Hull, leader of the drum circle movement

2009-09-22T11:56:00.001-07:00

My mission in life is to help people rediscover and explore the deep relationship with the rhythmical universe that permeates every aspect of our lives.

Animusic

2009-07-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

I came across a dvd of Animusic 2 at the computer store today. New to me. As the cover says, "Animusic fuses cutting edge computer animation with digitally created music to produce an entirely new genre of music entertainment! Virtual bands and inaginary instruments put on a spectacular show that you'll enjoy over and over again."

Here are two percussion clips and a multi-instrument piece from Animusic and Animusic 2.

Drumming for Peace program at Mennonite Church USA assembly, Columbus, Ohio, July 2009

2009-07-05T16:58:00.000-07:00

In one video is the Peace Train exercise, part of the first one hour seminar "Joyful Noise" I presented at MC USA Assembly in Columbus, Ohio on July 1 & 2, 2009. This presentation involved about 40 drummers and a crowd of more than 100. The second video (on top)is from a session for youth that drew over 200 young people to the seminar. It was moved inside the convention cafeteria because it was so loud! And I guess also because the mob of youth would have blocked the hallway.

In the photos are some impromptu drumming sessions I engaged in at the convention with preschoolers and youth. The dark photo is an unrehearsed drumming performance with volunteer youth playing before an audience of 6-8,000 youth at the Columbus arena before we gave Laura Bowman our first Different Drummer Award (see http://blog.goshen.edu/mpress/2009/07/04/bowman-awarded-for-marching-to-peace-beat/)

In Memory of Michael Jackson, a man with rhythm in his body and soul (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

2009-06-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

Babatunde Olatunji

2009-06-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

The Creator wants us to Drum. (God) wants us to corrupt the world with drums, dance, and chants. We've already corrupted the world with power and greed, which has gotten us nowhere. Now's the time to corrupt the world with drum, dance, and chants.

Evelyn Glennie

2009-06-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

“Hearing is a form of touch. I hear it through the body, by opening myself up. Sometimes it almost hits you in the face.”

Mark Taylor on polyrhythmic sensibility in the churches

2009-06-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

A polyrhythmic sensibility in the churches honors the drum. Honoring the drum will often mean bringing the drum back into those worship settings from which it has been excluded…If we are ever to discover the fully effective Word where Spirit enlivens a Rhythm Word, then we need to begin with the drum’s re-entry into our places of worship.----Mark Taylor, professor of theology and culture, Princeton Theological Seminary.

Cherokee on drumming

2009-06-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

Drums are a dream arisen,
Weaving the tapestry of life.
Drums bear seekers of vision,
Embracing the rainbow of light.
---Cherokee

Lionel Hampton (April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002)

2009-06-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

Seemed to me that drumming was the best way to get close to God.---Lionel Leo Hampton, jazz vibraphonist, drummer, pianist, bandleader

Mickey Hart

2009-06-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

For almost as long as I can remember, playing the drum has stimulated certain changes in my consciousness---my body awareness starts to fade, time disappears, instead of blood it feels like some other juice is pumping through my veins.---Mickey Hart, drummer of Grateful Dead.

A song for my Monday mood

2009-06-08T10:42:00.001-07:00