Fiddle/Sticks: The Drummer Project
Fiddle/Sticks: The Drummer Project by Casey Driessen is a collaborative exploration of rhythm which pairs Casey – the leading voice in percussive fiddle/violin technique (AKA The Chop) – with a list of the landmark drummers and percussionists of our time. Cutting across all genres and traditions, the project documents these rhythmic explorations through recordings, videos, photos and journals. It serves as an inspirational and instructional resource for drummers, percussionists, fiddlers and everyone in the music community interested in pushing the boundaries of their instruments and their music.
Part 3. jamey haddad
Jamey and I first met in 1999 while I was a student at Berklee College of Music. I took his class “Hand Percussion for Non-Percussionists” and it forever altered the way I approached rhythm. In addition to glimpses of the music we improvised and arranged, this video delves into Jamey’s Fulbright Fellowship experience in India, incorporating world music influences in your music, playing brooms on the floor, getting comfortable in new cultures, “why” Fiddle/Sticks…and helping me find the downbeat. This Fiddle/Sticks installment convened at Southern Ground Studios in Nashville, TN.
Check out the third video from the Fiddle/Sticks project for a glimpse into 2 days of collaboration and musical exploration with world-percussionist and drummer Jamey Haddad (Paul Simon) from May 2013. Thanks to Strings Magazine for releasing the video on their YouTube channel.
And, here is first tune, and I mean the first, from my session with world-percussionist Jamey Haddad. Our early morning musings turned into a gospel-style western swing-ish improvised original waltz called The Morning Gospel.
Part 2. futureman
Check out the second video from the Fiddle/Sticks project for a glimpse into 2 days of collaboration and musical exploration with drummer/percussionist Futureman back in October, 2012.
PODCAST
FiddleSticks Podcast: Episode 2 is available on iTunes. This episode is taken from conversation and interview with Drumitar inventor Futureman in which we discuss (among many other things) a phone call from Max Roach, boxes to drums to Drumitar to RoyEl, growing up Wooten, Golden Ratios, the name Futureman, history of the Chop, Bruce Lee, and a room without corners. You’ll also get to hear a bit more of the music we made as we reflect upon our two days together. [TAKE ME TO THE PODCAST]
PLAYLIST
As a companion piece to the podcast, I put together a playlist of recommended tracks Futureman has been on — including an early Whitney Houston track in which he played the acoustic hi-hat. (Please note, not all tracks may be available on Spotify). [TAKE ME TO THE PLAYLIST]
Part 1. KENNY MALONE
Check out the first video from the Fiddle/Sticks project for a glimpse into 2 days of collaboration and musical exploration with drummer/percussionist Kenny Malone back in June, 2012.
PODCAST
FiddleSticks Podcast: Episode 1 is available on iTunes. Taken from conversation and interview with legendary Nashville session drummer Kenny Malone, this episode covers inventions and inspirations from dreams, life changing epiphanies, thoughts on career and industry, beliefs about rhythm and music, lyrics, the dance, and of course a favorite drummer joke. [TAKE ME TO THE PODCAST]
PLAYLIST
And as a companion piece to the podcast, I’ve created a playlist of recommended tracks Kenny has played on – most likely you’ve heard him on record before. [TAKE ME TO THE PLAYLIST]
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