Some humour for/against drummers

So, in the music world, apparently we drummers are looked down upon as the... least musicians. In other words, we are basically pot-hitting monkeys.

Instead of fighting against this rather inaccurate and harsh (by the way) notion, I would like to share with you a couple of jokes I heard from some real (no sarcasm intended. They are very much real) musicians over at University of North Texas while visiting my good friend Daniel.

They are actually quite funny:

• Q: How do you call a drummer that just got dumped by his girlfriend?
• A: Homeless. (ouch!)

• Q: How do you call a guy that hangs out with musicians?
• A: A drummer.
  

:)

Jamming at Blue Note

It's Sunday night.. I should be in Hsinchu, sleeping. But no.
I'm spending the night in Taipei, because I went to Blue Note over at Shida Rd.

Tonight the Kate Jazz Trio was playing. Kate is the pianist who I am currently playing with at the Jo Jo Ma Quintet.
After a beer by myself while listening to their latin-influenced jazz, she called me over to play a couple of tunes with them.

I apologetically sat behind the drums and asked Kate: "What should we play?"
To which she answered: "Don't worry, we'll play latin stuff, you'll figure out, you're latin right?" Love it. Sure I am

That couple of tunes ended up to be like six, including Oye Como Va and my all-time favorite jazz piano tune, Spain from Chick Corea.

What a great evening, makes me want to brush up my latin jazz skills a bit more..

It won't be my last Sunday night in Blue Note.

Drums and Life

I found this cool video on Youtube.. its basically 100 people aged 1 to 100 playing a snare..

This video told me two things:

1. Each year goes by as fast as a drumbeat
2. I want to be 100 and playing a drum...

Enjoy!

About this blog

I suck at blogging. I have started tons of them and I don't follow them after a while.
This is one example from when I got to Taiwan:

http://chinoleon.blogspot.com/

So you (and I) might think that this is just another of them and I will forget it soon. I won't lie, it's very likely. However, there is a smaller, more subtle difference with this one: this one's about drumming and music in general.

If I can't keep up with this one.. then I think I can't keep up with any blog, cause after all, drumming is what I have been doing for almost 7 years now. Non-stop.

I also have a crappy memory, so having a log of all my musical activity throughout the years is not a bad idea. When I'm 70 (and still drumming) I'll be able to remember all the awesome musical experiences I had when I still had hair. Too bad I didn't start like 5 years ago..

I have had the privilege of being part of a great deal of bands and projects, both in Costa Rica and Taiwan, and I figured out this is also a way to pay tribute to them.

Also, one incentive to keep blogging is feedback.. so if you are reading whatever from this blog, or went to a concert, or simply want to say hi, please do not hesitate to leave a comment. The Chino Drumming Foundation will mail a broken stick to you.

Underflow @ Gunbao 5/23

Gunbao is an annual concert with all the bands from ECHO, the music club at school.
It takes place at the East Door Roundabout in Hsinchu downtown.

Underflow is playing last, at around 9:30 pm on Saturday, May 23rd.

We will have a new cover ready for that time, hopefully!

Jazz Quintet @ Sappho. 5/29

I have the honor of starting a jazz project with a great saxophonist from Chicago called Joseph Marchione and Kevin Liao on the violin.

After a rather unsuccessful search for a jazz bassist and other cats in Hsinchu, Joseph decided to get the rest of the band from Taipei.

We now have the flavour-filled chops of Kate on the piano and Kinya on the bass.

Our debut will be on Friday, May 29th at Sappho at 9:00 pm.
All of the songs we are performing are composed by Joseph

(02) 2700-5411
1, Lane 102, AnHe Rd. Sec. 1, B1
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9 pm-4 am, Fri./Sat. 9 pm-5 am
Credit cards accepted. Smoking allowed.
MRT: ZhongXiao/DunHua
www.sappho-102.com

Underflow @ Moment Bar 5/9 Sat

We are going to play on Sat, May 9th at this new bar called Moment in Hsinchu, however, the activity is going to be outdoors.
Underflow goes up at 4:00 pm!

We are playing a newly designed playlist.. :)

Direction:
新竹市南門街29-1號