HISTORY:
HISTORY OF DRUMMING
This is a survey class focusing on the evolution of drum
set performance.
THE MUSIC OF LED ZEPPELIN: JOHN BONHAM
There would be no contemporary rock & roll drumming without John Bonham. This class examines this great drummer's style and how it pertains to "today's" Rock.
THE L.A. SOUND: JIM KELTNER, JIM GORDON, RUSS KUNKLE, JEFF PORCARO AND JOHN GUERIN
This class takes a look at five top L.A. session drummers and the “hit’s” they played on.
THE MUSIC OF THE METERS: NEW ORLEANS FUNK
The funky music of the Meters was driven by the deep groove of Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste.This class will examine the construction of his various grooves in order to develop a New Orleans Funk feel.
ROCK & ROLL: THE LATE 1950's TO MID 1960's:
EARL PALMER, HAL BLAINE AND GARY CHESTER
Earl Palmer, Hal Blaine, and Gary Chester are three of the most recorded drummers of all time. This class will examine the playing styles of these session masters and the songs they made "hits".
THE MUSIC OF MOTOWN
Drummer Benny Benjamin played on many of the Motown hits. This class will not only analyze his drumming style and the songs he played on, but it will also examine the other great drummers of Motown.
THE MUSIC OF JAMES BROWN: THE ROOTS OF FUNK DRUMMING
Whether it was Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks, or the other drummers of James Brown they all made it funky. This class presents the "nuts and bolts" of the "Funky Drummer".
THE SESSION DRUMMERS OF NYC
New York City has always had great session drummers. This class examines the work of four of NY's best: Bernard Purdie, Grady Tate, Steve Gadd, and Andy Newmark.
THE MUSIC OF TOWER OF POWER: DAVID GARIBALDI
Tower of Power and its drummer David Garibaldi defines "Bay Area" funk. This class analyzes the music of Tower of Power and the very influential drumming style of David Garibaldi.
RHYTHM AND BLUES: THE MUSIC OF: T. BONE WALKER, LOUIS JORDON, CAB CALLOWAY, AND WYNONNIE HARRIS The period right after the Second World War experienced an explosion of the style called Rhythm and Blues. This class introduces the fundamentals of this style’s drumming, as found in the music of these four founding fathers of R&B.
CHICAGO ELECTRIC BLUES: FRED BELOW This class examines the classic Blues drumming of Fred Below. As the house drummer for Chess Records, Below was the top session man in Chicago.
THE 1960's BRITISH ROCK INVASION
The British invasion changed Rock & Roll forever. This class will examine the playing styles of Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts and Keith Moon
THE MUSIC OF STAX RECORDS: AL JACKSON JR.
Al Jackson Jr. was the house drummer for Stax Records. His drumming can be heard on the music of Booker T. & The MG's, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, and many others. This class analyzes this "hit" maker's drumming style.
THE MUSIC OF JIMMY HENDRIX: MITCH MITCHELL
Mitch Mitchell's unique drumming style and how it propelled the music of Jimmy Hendrix will be the focus of this class.
THE MUSIC OF HERBIE HANCOCK & CHICK COREA
These two brilliant composers/pianists have hired some of the greatest drummers in the business. This class will examine the playing styles of Steve Gadd, Harvey Mason, Mike Clarke, Airto, and Dave Weckl in the music of these two celebrated artists.
THE MUSIC OF WEATHER REPORT
Weather Report created brilliant fusion music. This class takes a look at the different drummers of Weather Report and their individual approaches to the music of this most important fusion band.
THE DRUMMERS OF FRANK ZAPPA
Frank Zappa was one of Rock's most accomplished composers. His unique blend of contemporary classical music, guitar-driven rock and satirical lyrics always included incredible drumming. This class will focus on a number of the drummers of Frank Zappa: Vinny Colaiuta, Terry Bozio, Chester Thompson, and Aynsley Dunbar.
MEAT AND POTATOES: AMERICAN ROCK DRUMMING
The simple but solid beat of Rock will be the subject of this class, focusing on the drummers of these popular rockers: Bruce Springsteen, John Cougar Mellencamp, Bob Seeger, and Bryan Adams.
ALTERNATIVE ROCK DRUMMING
This musical style took over the world of Rock in the 1990's. This class will explore this drumming style, heard in the music of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.