New Tabla

I got a new Tabla, a clay one, from a local Middle Eastern grocery store.
The store is going out of business, and the owner sold this drum to me for $25.00
Today I practiced with it for the first time and gave it a test run, it sounds fuckin' AWESOME.
It was great buying it in a grocery store, as this was the way musicians got drums in the old days, clay drums you found in the Middle Eastern grocery stores, they didn't have such instruments regularly in local music stores.
The tones are great, nice Doum, and the rim is clear like a bell, the skin has great tension too.
Playing it today, it sounds like like the old records, I was digging it so much.
It's extra special too, as the owner of the store I bought it from is an Armenian.

Eric and Elias

Here I am with my favorite student Elias. Words fail to describe the effect this wonderful soul has had on my life, he's a beautiful person to the core. He's teaching me so many new ways of being the best drum teacher, and person I can be. Many, many times I think, if only so many folks could be as fun, spontaneous, ultimately and fearlessly creative as Elias, oh what fun teaching can be!

Old Darbuka

This old drum that I've had for many years, I've been playing recently from time to time, and enjoying it very much.
It's like an old war horse, I've played so many gigs with this drum, it's been played in bars and night clubs, and it's been played in churches.
It's got a deep, warm tone, very pleasant, you can also get tough with it and it can roar like a Djembe. It had been in storage in Atlanta for some time, until it was brought back here to Boston, where it has been singing again. It's a great drum that's been very good to me, it's got a great soul. Many years ago, I was playing it in a field when I kept hearing a woman's voice singing along with it, I kept stopping the drumming to listen for it, and then I wouldn't hear the voice any longer. Then, I'd start playing and I'd hear the female voice again. The overtones at that time could make such sounds.

Darbuka in the snow

It's been a very long time since I last played this darbuka from Turkey. Nina had retrieved it from our storage unit in Atlanta on her way back from Florida. I've been playing it very frequently as of late.
This is a great drum. I bought it from a friend in Atlanta many years ago, for $50.00 and the drum-head was very cheap, with a wooden rim that cracked when I tried to tune it. So, I got a small drum head from a music store I worked in at the time, put it on and it's sounded wonderful ever since. I put in many hours of practice on this drum. I used to take it with me when I used to work at Rainbow Grocery, I'd be out back on my lunch hour in all kinds of weather playing on it.
It's been snowing a lot here in Massachusetts (I'm loving it!) and I had this drum with me and couldn't resist taking a pic with my phone-camera of the darbuka in the snow outside my apartment.
This drum has been very good to me, it's nice to get reacquainted again.

Nina and me at the coffee shop, Somerville, Ma

Sunday night at True Grounds Coffee shop, Somerville, Ma.
We're sleepy!

Fall Drumming...

I love the fall weather, and especially drumming outdoors in this cool, crisp air.
The other day I went to the lake with my Tar, and played by the water on a grey rainy day, felt good, quiet and contemplation with the groove of the frame-drum in the air. Year after year I love the feel of the change when fall comes, newness always comes with it for me, big change etc.. To drum outside in the fall is unlike any other time. I love the feel of a drum slung over my shoulder or on my back as I head out into the world to play, whether with a group of players or just by myself. Each has it's wonderful moments. I love to hear the drums and smell fall in the air, everything from the leaves, to the smell of fireplaces in nearby homes. I have lots of memories over many years of drumming during the fall season, I love to remember them when I drum in a new season.

Long time....

It's been a long time since I made a Turkish coffee. I took my Ma shopping in Watertown yesterday for groceries.
Getting back home, I fired up the pot "old-style" and I'm quite good at making coffee this style. It's been many years since I drank the Turkish coffee, and being in the grocery store, I got a hankering for it. GOOD STUFF, and it was nice sitting with my Ma after shopping. We were listening to some Armenian music (Hachig Kazarian) and she says "why don't you get out your drum?" So I get my drum out and play along with the music, having coffee with my Ma in the kitchen. What a great moment.

Drumming on a Sunday morning...

Sunday was a great day for drumming in the morning in Burlington Common.
I was in my home town of Burlington, Massachusetts getting some drum practice in first of the day.
Perfect weather for such a moment, Sunny clear sky, cool temp, everything flowing just right.
This is a great spot, wide open, quiet, benches for sitting and playing.
Since I was a kid, I always looked forward to the Christamas lights they'd put up in the Common here, and it's great to drum here too.
I always enjoy starting my day with such a drum practice, especially when I have a day off, and before I spend time with family or friends.
Everything gets directed and balanced in the best way.

Roger Krikorian, we'll miss you......

Well-loved Boston musician Roger Krikorian (left in photo) sadly passed away August 10, 2007 and will be missed very much.
Pictured here with Kenny Kalajian on guitar, Roger was a main fixture in the Middle Eastern music scene in Boston for many years, a well respected person in the Armenian community as well as in music.
I met Roger for the first time earlier this summer when he let me sit in with his band at St. James Armenian church picnic. It was pure joy to play this music as it touches me very deeply. Roger was a very nice person to meet and I enjoyed playing music with him very much that day.
Thank you Roger Krikorian for all that you gave to many people for many years.
May your soul always be divine.

Workshop with Issam

I had a wonderful day on Sunday the 29th, I'd taken a drum workshop with Issam and had such a blast.
It's difficult fo me to find the type of teachers that I wish to study with, and I'm picky with whom I wish to study with. Sometimes it's years until I find another teacher, and Issam is fantastic and who really satisfied my need for learning. He's a wonderful teacher, an amazing drummer and of course a great person too. I'd study with him again in a hearbeat. Thanks Issam!!!