DrumJamm News

Latest news - March 2006

Billy Ward to visit Shetland:
Billy Ward visits Shetland as part of his UK Clinic Tour. He is due to play at the Garrison Theatre on Thursday 11th May, with support from mikedolbear.com and drum workshop. Billy is a famous American drummer, residing in New York, and his knowledge of all this drumming is phenomenal. Drumjamm is delighted to have this event as the first clinic since the sold out Steve White performance. You can receive more information on this event and a whole lot more at both www.mikedolbear.com and www.billyward.com.
Tickets will go on sale in early April.

Review of Steve White clinic from Shetland Times:
Steve White, acclaimed drummer from Paul Weller, visited Shetland this past weekend, performing a masterclass and clinic. This was his first appearance since the hugely popular "Replay" Tour of 2003.

On Saturday evening, 18 lucky drumjamm members were treated to a masterclass on technique. Steve took them through a series of exercises that will keep them practising for many a year to come, and gave them words of advice and encouragement too. National drum magazine, Rhythm, also covered the event, displaying interest in what they believe to be the only dedicated drumming youth club in the UK.

The clinic on Sunday evening soon sold out, with many being turned away at the door before the 6pm start. Steve began with an unbelievable 20 minute solo, keeping everyone amazed by his control of speed and skill. He then talked about the history or drums and rhythms, showing how the beats have evolved. His knowledge of everything percussive was very evident, and this added to the evenings educational theme. He concluded with a snare drum solo, juggling his sticks to the audiences astonishment, impressive tricks indeed.

Spokesman for drumjamm, Russell Gair, thanked Steve for his inspiration over the weekend. There is now the possibility of himself and Bass player Damon Minchella returning in September for more masterclasses and clinics. With New York drummer Billy Ward visiting drumjamm on the 11th of May, it's certainly a good year to be a drummer.

Robbie Williams collaborator Ralph Salmins is our new Drummer of the Month

Steve White will return to Shetland for a show on Sunday the 19th March. Steve White returns to Shetland for the first time since his hugely popular 2003 clinic. Steve White at the drumkit The performance will take place at the Lerwick Town Hall, on Sunday the 19th March, at 6pm, admission £7.00. Tickets are available from drumjamm at the AHS on Saturdays from 11am till 5pm.
The focus of this clinic will be technique, and a history of 20th century drummers. Steve White has been one of the most popular drummers in Britain for the past 20 years. His time in bands such as "The Style Council", "Paul Weller", "Oasis", and most recently "The Who" has seen him perform to millions, and he is one of the few musicians to have played at both "Live Aid" and "Live 8", a real achievement in such a notoriously hard business. Steve is regarded by many as one of the finest clinicians around, constantly in demand, with Chad Smith of the "Red Hot Chili Peppers" stating "He's one of the greatest drummers of our generation". Drumjamm are delighted to welcome him back, with what proves to be a real highlight in the musical year.

Photos from Drumathon 2005 have been added to the website!

January 2006

Drum Jamm kicks off 2006 with new times for workshops. Would all pupils please note the changes in time and try to stick to them please.

The sound reducing booths are now in place at hut 15. These will significantly help the work we are doing at DJ, and hopefully enable all it's members to have a more pleasant environment to work in.

Entries are now in for the next round of Rockschool exams, with the provisional dates being Saturday and Sunday, 25th and 26th of March. We have around 20 members sitting exams in this period, and our good luck goes out to them as they prepare for their exam.

Our next "Drummer of the month" requires questions from you, so put your thinking caps on and consider what you would like to ask.

Dec 2005 - Review of Drumathon 2005!

This year's drumathon saw 75 members of drumjamm entertained by a host of top local and international drummers. The event ran for 8 hours with Workshops, clinics, groove work and the drum circle keeping everyone busy.

The Workshops were extremely varied, with Kipper performing the first clinic “Brushworks”. Kippers original approach to the kit and percussive style kept all entertained, playing along to several tracks from Bongshang and Shoormal albums.

Next up was Gary Park, whose workshop centred on foot ostinatos and Latin grooves. Gary displayed his exceptional technique to the large crowd gathered, and got everyone to try some exercises while he played along to some samba tunes.

Robbie Thomson and Fraser Mouat led some groove workshops, concentrating on the essential skills of playing in a rhythm section. The feedback on these workshops was very positive, with great appreciation shown by all involved.

Douglas Johnstone had the audience entranced with his sublime skills during his snare and brush workshops. It was very fitting that the biggest round of applause all day was reserved for Douglas's incredible performance of some 1920's jazz, he wasn't going to be allowed to finish until he played it again.

Mike Kidd demonstrated his phenomenal syncopation with a workshop on this very topic, and also spoke at length about cymbals, and the finer points on how to tune your drums. We were also treated to some drumming goods from his shop, which the members thought was a great addition to this year's event.

Murray Arthur put in a terrific shift in the drum circle, entertaining and involving as many pupils as possible at all times. With over 70 members at one point, he had his work cut out, but a fine job he did.

With 5 rooms in operation at nearly all times, we were certainly stretched this year! We do apologise if anyone felt that they were not as involved as they would liked. The timetable of events was deliberated over for many hours, and it's hard to fit everything in!

Below are some comments and thoughts from dj members.

[photos comming soon!]

Nov 2005 - Drumathon 2005 [drumathon timetable]
On Saturday the 19th November between 10am and 5pm we are holding our second "Drumathon". After the huge success of the 2004 event we have decided to make 2005 bigger and even better!
Drummers confirmed for the event are as follows: