This weekend has been a constant drum-gasm …setting up for Essence Fest has put me in close contact with the best drummer's of "black music" today. These guys have gospel chops of such tremendously varying personality that I can't help but to be inspired. The fact is, I still did not care for a majority of the acts, perhaps I felt they were cheesy as a musical whole. Regardless, I could still appreciate the entire show just by virtue of the drummer. In many ways this goes against the "tasteful" drumming concepts I've been accruing, as the drums did often outshine the rest of the music, but alas, this felt appropriate and enjoyable.
It makes me realize that I have a style I've developed over the years that, while good, could really be expanded to include more influences such as hip-hop and even more, like classical.
My favorite moment of the entire Essence Festival was setting up Beyonce's drums. I got to caress and polish the most beautiful 11-piece, custom, DW drum kit. It was designed for Cora Coleman-Dunham (aka "Queen Cora") and endorsed by Sabian. Behind her floating drums, hung two of the most unique cymbals I've ever seen - from the bell a spiral was cut all the way to outer edge and when hung it looked a curl of hair. Cora's drum tech described their sound as "dark" and he described Cora, herself, as Jedi Knight of drums. When all was said and done, the house lights came up and I rushed up to the stage to tear-down. Cora was still there and I told her that she had done a great job and that I got to polish (using microfiber) and love her kit. The drummer for Prince, Beyonce, the Grammy's, and the 2003 Guitar Center Annual National Drum-Off competition then thanked me and seemed genuinely happy to have had my help.
She also gave me her custom drumsticks that she had just played with. Oh yeah…
No comments:
Post a Comment