This is drumatiCymbalism…3 of America’s formost stylistic masters of the drum kit…blending styles of Rock and Roll…Jazz…and Free Form drumming. It is spellbinding how these percussionists marry all forms into one creative force…that literally lifts audiences to a new understanding of the drum…as music. As the performance unfolds. Young drumming sensation Alex Craver and long standing Jazz greats Sadiq Abdu-Shahid and Mike Burgevin explore and invent anew. No two performances are ever the same. Yesterday’s show was yesterday’s show.

Layering daring polyrhythms and tonal colors that reflect every mood known to man…this is a performance your audience will long remember. On occasion themes are called to mind for inspiration such as “Curious Curly-Q’s”…“The Chase”…“Burge’s Dirges”… “Sudan”…“Lion’s Roar”…or “Susquehanna Summer Storm.” DrumatiCymbalism concerts run approximately one and a half hours in performance time. An important but brief statement by each drummer introduces the show.

The three musicians who make up this exciting new group live within a 10-mile radius of one another. That is happening in itself! All three have a passion for the drum. All three play in bands or orchestras where they provide driving support for frontline guitars or horns. During the summer of 2003 they arranged a session to hear what they might create together on 3 drum-kits. Spontaneity was the rule of the day. They explored trading measures that evolved into a fusion of stylistic polyrhythms and layers of tonal colors. All agreed it was a fantastic afternoon and that ‘we should get together again- soon.’ They wondered if an audience would really enjoy a show such as this (?)- No melody line, no harmonics and no lyrics. All rhythm, tonalities, shadings, dynamics, ‘moments of whisper’- Six hands and six feet in action! Their question was answered at the petite Jericho Art Council’s “Variety Show” summer fund raising event. The audience was ecstatic and with that wonderful display of appreciation (a standing ovation) they decided to hang out their shingle.

The biographical information illustrates why there is such an interesting, diverse mix between them and why you will hear and see one exhilarating, terrific and awesome show when you invite these three men to perform for you!

Performances to date: Jericho Arts Council “Variety Show”- 2003 / “The Night Of The Drum, Take One”- 2004 / “Street Beat” performance, City of Oneonta Day Market- 2004 / Free Performance, Chase Memorial Nursing Home, New Berlin, NY- 2004-2005 / “Night Of The Drum, Take Two”- 2005 / “Night Of The Drum, Take Three- A Tribute to Alex Craver”-2006.