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This is an amazing audio and notation encyclopedia of every djembe and dun dun part for 50 Rhythms!

When stuff comes up at drum circles or out performing

Drum circle on the beach=drum and fun in the sun!

After I wrote my last blog post I went to the nightly drum circle here in Arambol Beach, Goa, India. It is quite large.

The drum circle usually starts off quite nicely before sunset but has been getting out of hand as the evening progresses. The drums entertain and also bring out the wild side of people, especially those who have been drinking all day prior to coming to watch,dance or drum!

drum jam [...]

Playing to the click track and other studio tips for percussionists in the recording studio

IMG_1876

ver the last 25 years or more I have had the great pleasure and good luck to be able to record percussion in recording studios all around the world. My first recording studio experience playing percussion instruments was with my friend and first drum teacher George Terzis. George invited me to a small recording session to play some Brazilian and Afro Cuban rhythms on top of some funk music in Boston in 1979. There were two rooms and I was impressed by all the gear and the organization of all the recording equiptment as well. It was like a top secret spy room from an 007 movie! [...]

Mali Sunu ensemble, djembe solos by Michael Pluznick, Ben Isaacs

Mali Sunu rhythm explanation and ensemble demonstration

Michael Pluznick solos on djembe and then Ben Isaacs expresses his incredible feel and techniques as well. This is a longer version then I originally posted on Youtube. This video lesson features an explanation of the meaning of Mali Sunu played with more of a 4/4 feel. We also will be showing you a version in 6/8 feel soon here as well. Michael Pluznick plays traditional solo techniques or phrases on his Toca [...]

The late Great Pello EL Afrokan, our teacher

The legendary Pello El Afrokan teaches us Mozambique in Cuba 1985

Pello El Afrokan

 

In 1985 we traveled to Cuba to learn about Cuban culture, study the music and experience the Cuban lifestyle. We were young and looking for musical and cultural adventures . While staying at the hotel in Havana we met Pello el Afrokan in our lobby. We told him about our quest to study Cuban music, rhythm and dance and he took our small group of friends on [...]

All About Olodum

Classic and rare Olodum dance class footage from my trip to Brazil

Several years ago we went to Brazil to study Afro Brazilian music and dance. We were fortunate to meet members and teachers from the famous group Olodum. It took me years, but I was finally able to get some video footage up of our trip there so here it is! But first a little bit abut the group Olodum!

Olodum is an internationally acclaimed Afro-Brazilian cultural group from Bahia, Brazil. Olodum (pronounced oh-lo-doon) was [...]

LIVE...Master Djembe Drummer Bolokada Conde and Les Percussions Malinke

Bolokada Conde, Rafael and Michael P perform in Mill Valley, California

Djembe drum master Bolokada Conde and Les Percussions Malinke’s play traditional West African rhythms at a percussion show at La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley, CA in 2006. Bolokada Conde, one of world’s best djembe folas (professional djembe masters) with Master Balafon player Mohamed Kouyate and talented djembe and dunun (djun djun) drummers from SF Bay Area

Djembe meets DJ on Koh Samui w/DJ Steve, Bobby P on guitar and MP on Djembe

West African Djembe and DJ in Thailand on Koh Samui Island

A good time was had by all in this meeting of electronica and west african drumming at the BBC club and restaurant on Koh Samui Island, Thailand with DJ Steve , Bobby Parrs on guitar and Michael Pluznick on djembe drums, timbales and conga drums, too. Part one.

Djembe Master Bolokada Conde Djembe Drums with Les Percussions Melenke Peform at La Pena

Bolokada on fire!

Master Djembe drummer Bolokada Conde and Les Percussion Melenke performance ensemble and crew in an early West African djembe drum and African dance performance live in Oakland California at La Pena cultural Center for world music and world dance. Musicians from left to right: Bolokada, Wade Peterson, Michael Pluznick (djembe) Sean Areneda (dununs) Rafael djembe, Barron Chase (kinkini)

Much Fun @ Bali Treasures retail store and drum factory in Ubud Bali Indonesia

raw shells are beautiful

If you are a drummer or musician or just love percussion and you are ever in Bali  (or on line) you owe it to yourself to check out Bali Treasures. I was recently in Ubud Bali  where I had the pleasure to meet the owner  of the Bali Treasures retail store Ed  A. Balma. Ed also is owner of  what is probably the worlds largest djembe manufacturing company. We went there afterwards and [...]

Beautiful traditional Thai flute music played on the street

Beautiful traditional Thai street flute music played on the street in Bangkok Thailand by happy musician I ran into by chance on one of my daily jaunts wandering the streets of Bangkok.

Mali Young Masters: Mali Djembe Drum Music Recording Session

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/arunabrulye

The Young Guns album was recorded at the community center directly outside the huge bustling market place in Sabalibougou, a small local district of Bamako. Siaka is the leader and premier soloist of this smaller group. He goes through a variety of popular yet traditional peices of djembe music as it is played by his age group in Bamako at weddings, ceremonies and group dance performances. This recording session is for the [...]

Barabajaba: Rumba De Obatala

From Barabajaba Music and drumming group on the Big Island of Hawaii and San Francisco California as well. Featuring Jesse Seymour Vocals and Michael Pluznick joing him on percussion.

Ayuthaya Temple City,

The Thai Kingdom grew to prominence when rice was the regions most important currency. However, when Burmese troops sacked the city in 1767, the capital was moved to Bangkok. This move also signaled a shift from a purely agricultural society to one that was more in tune with commerce.

Hanoi, Vietnam “HD” (hi def.) travel scenes; music by Michael Pluznick

Photo slide show from my recent trip to Hanoi, Vietnam. Includes travel scenes, poeple and world music by Michael Pluznick and friends. The people and scenes from eveyrday life in Hanoi, Vietnam. HD *(high definition)

Vietnam 2:”HD” art, sculptures,temples w/ music by Michael Pluznick

This video features photgraphy shot in Hanoi, Vietnam and contans beautiful art, sculpture, and nature with world music by Michael Pluznick The people and scenes are from everday life in Hanoi, Vietnam. HD *(high definition). Shot on Canon 7D digital SLR

Thai Hammered Dulcimer and Cahone (Box drum) on the street in Bangkok 2

Thai percussion with fusion music using hammered dulcimer like instrument and non traditional (for Thai people) cahone or “caha”, (wood box drum) from Afro Cuban music origins. This video took place on Khao San Road in Bangkok, Thailand and was shot on my Canon G11 camera (non HD).

Real Guinea West Africa music on the streets of Thailand ! pt2.

Traditional West African Instruments being played at the best drum jam on Khao San Rd. in Bangkok Thailand by Musicians from Guinea, Liberia and around the world (japan, USA, etc): Gongoma, Balon,Djembe & Dunun in Thailand. Check out the songs and dance, too at this Khao San Road drum jam.

Thai multi percussion dance performance group

This Thai Mixed Mulit-Percussion troupe plays a little bit of everything in this live performance in Bangkok, Thailand. Filmed on Canon 7D digital camera. They play all kinds of cool percussion instruments, miscelaneous percussion, hand drums.

Grand Master Drummer M’Bemba Bangoura “Djembekan” (solo)

Master djembe drummer, master of ceremonies and all around fun and good guy M’Bemba Bangoura in a rare performance in his home town and country in Conakry, Guinee, West Africa at a large community drumming event welcoming home many of Guinea West Africa’s wonderful djembe masters and drummers of all ages!

Epic international drum jam on Khao San Road Bangkok, Thailand

Last night there was an epic drum jam on Khao San Road in Bangkok, Thailand. There were drummers from all across the globe! We got permission to play right in front of the police station because “King”, the local police chief is a big fan of Eddie Tamba our Liberian master of ceremonies and djembe fola.

Eddie Tamba of Liberia represents on Khao San Road Bangkok, Thailand

The drum jam had originally started [...]

Mali: sweet Didadi music, drums and beautiful chants!

http://www.earthcds.com/africa/west/mali

Didadi is a rhythm that can be used by young people to compete at festivals and celebrations. Didadi can be played for the expected arrival of an important person or at end-of-the-year holidays. Some say it originates from the Bougouni circle , of Mali’s Sikasso region. The didadi is also organized during the end of the year holidays. What many of us know as a dunun (double sided drum) is here called [...]

Female African Dancers Drum and Solo w/ djembe master Bolokada

http://www.myspace.com/rhythmsofbarab…

Female West African dancers from Guinea West Afrcan and Oakland California drum and solo with Master drummer (djembe fola) Bolokada Conde performs with his group Les Percussions Melenke in Bolinas, California. The first piece with dancers is “Mane”, from Guinea West Africa.

M and M in Bed! More Funny Found Percussion Pt.2!!

M and M explore found objects and home made percussion instruments in the bedroom. See how many different found objects you can recognise! CLICK THIS LINK TO HEAR OR BUY OUR NEW CD: http://www.myspace.com/rhyt… http://www.reverbnation.com

Barabajaba: Rumba De Obatala “HD” @Big Buddha from ‘Rise Up’ CD

Barabajaba Percussion Ensemble from Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii and Bay Area California present Rumba De Obatala, a special tune off of the new Rise Up CD. Based on traditional afro cuban drum patterns. Filmed at Big Buddha Temple, Bo Phut, Koh Samui Island, Thailand. Orisha chants and vocals by Jesse Seyomour and Zahira. Shot in HD (high definition) on Canon 7D digital camera.

“Axe” by Barabajaba from the new CD, “Rise Up”, World Music

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/barabajaba

This world and African/Brasilian (Brazilian) influenced music, percussion and drumming video with chants is from the new CD, “Rise Up” by the Hawaii and California based percussion ensemble, Barabajaba and features Zahira and Boaz on vocals,and percussion arrangements by Jesse Seymour and MIchael Pluznick. This Brazilian (Brasilian) based “HD” (high definition 1080i) piece features, congas, bata, shekere and drumming and percussion including congas. All photos taken by Michael Pluznick except for all [...]