by yoni » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:25 pm
Hi CongaTick, hi all!
Well I can't ask for an honorary thread since maSSivedrums has already given me a couple here lately - what an honor!
But I also hope the idea takes off!
For the record, some info on meself can be found on my mini web page here that CongaMan has kindly allowed me to add on to, audio and videowise.
Major influences, no priority in order: Giovanni Hidalgo, Luther Francois, Elvin Jones, Johnny Conga, Ahmet and Levent Misirli, more...
Current set-up: varies with gig. Weekly on drum set while singing lead, then switching to darbuka as the evening goes ethnic. Some gigs just on congas, some just on darbuka or daholla (bass darbuka). Favorite current project is still with an amazing violinist and oud player named Amin, Christian Arabian from Jaffa, Tel Aviv, but like with me, music is his true religion. Have mentioned him here before... the dude is "plugged in", on fire, and our shows get better and better all the time. Niether of us are promoter types, but we are learning. Our music is mostly totally improvised but the connection is such that many people think it's highly arranged. It IS composed, but spontaneously, on the spot. This is also how my pops liked to play, and I find it a most fun and exciting approach too.
Difficult techniques for me to master: double stroke hand roll, some finger rolls, "bending time" (playing in time while giving illusion of randomness), etc.
Most difficult technique for me to master: Making "full-time" living as percussionist in a tough economy. But things are looking up.
Still working at all this, and blessed to be enjoying all the way.
All the best,
Yoni