Djembe and dundun rhythms for West African drumming and dance
Performances | Recording | Original Compositions
Dancing Moon Drummers - Victoria BC Folk Festival, 2006
New Year's Eve, 2007 with Adama (Ken) Doumbia
Funky Arts Cafe, Varkala, Kerala, India
Jungle Therapy* - Winter Solstice 2007, White Eagle Hall, Victoria, BC (* alias Thuja, version x.y)
Steven Fosker on guitar never showed up because he was sick, so that left Bernie on bass, Eugene on kit, Amy on keyboard and me on hand drums and percussion to wing it somehow. We did a sound check with reasonable coherence but then it came time to perform, and Bernie got into the primal cat beats and we just took off, there was no holding back, only Amy kind of got left in the funk-dust, as we churned and motored and yanged our way out and down and around and back, loud and fast and changing grooves and yet, people were dancing somehow, it was after all as funky as we could manage, just grunge-dirty, progressive punk, or regressive garage, or egregious jazz, or something like ocean-surf rock n’ roll, not beach boys style but when the undertow grabs you and the breakers pound you and hang you out to dry. It was another dimension, like the first time on psychedelics, or falling head over heels into passionate love/sex, no bearings, no looking back, just holding on for the ride and going with it, and afterwards, for days and nights, gasping, What Happened?
Nimba
play now
courtesy of Green Earth
recording by E. Neptune; live instruments composed/played by E.Neptune, Axel Foebus, and Nowick Gray
more... original rhythm tracks composed by Nowick Gray, using Percussion Studio
eugene nowick
axel
Original compositons of African drum ensemble rhythms, featured in Roots Jam 3. These are recorded digitally using Percussion Studio software, based on live drum samples. Listen to (click link) or download (right-click) free mp3 sample files:
To order a full-length audio CD or mp3 files with 27 tracks including the samples above, click here.
new track: Black Moon Bay
Roots Jam 3:
Arrangements for West African Drum & Dance
This all-new collection of rhythms helps you take the next step in playing West African drums for dancers, in a group, or just for fun. Learn basic accompaniment parts, selected bass drum (dunun) and bell patterns and variations, and traditional djembe solos. Roots Jam 3 adds to the previous Roots Jam books in offering complete and cohesive ensemble arrangements for 16 popular dance rhythms. Included are lessons and exercises to help you understand basic downbeat, upbeat and offbeat timing; choose from available bell and clave patterns; and learn both traditional and improvised lead djembe solos. Practice listening to and playing parts with the optional audio CD. Also featured is notation for 27 original compositions by Nowick Gray, with audio tracks on a second CD.
Roots Jam:
Collected Rhythms for Hand Drum and Percussion
This unique resource contains hundreds of rhythms from the African, Latin and rock traditions, along with inspired improvisations. Easy notation, useful for all levels, from beginners to performers. Includes lesson guide, arrangements, popular styles, practice exercises, and a list of other resources. Fully indexed, 80 pages.
Roots Jam 2:
West African and Afro-Latin Drum Rhythms
An updated (2002) and expanded collection of over 125 traditional West African, Afro-Latin, and Middle Eastern rhythms, arranged for ready reference for individual learning or ensemble play. Covers djembe and dunun/bell parts and variations, in box (grid) notation for clear display of timing. Includes unique exercises, generic patterns and in-depth study of polyrhythm. Optional full-length audio CD with 28 demo and practice tracks.
Nowick Gray has been a teacher and writer for over three decades, and a drummer since 1990. He currently teaches and performs with a number of drum and percussion groups in Victoria, B.C.
Click here for more info or to order.
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