Two accomplished local percussionists, with over 60 years of combined performing and teaching experience, team up for an exciting class in traditional hand drumming and percussion music.

The captivating rhythms of Africa and the Caribbean come in endless variety, from sizzling Brazilian sambas, to Cuban ritual music, to the sweet funkiness of West African highlife. We’ll explore these traditions on congas, djembe, shekere, bongo, clave, guiro, and bells. You’ll learn basic techniques for all these instruments, folkloric styles such as rumba and bembe, as well as hot rhythms for dance music like salsa, samba, and afrobeat. In addition to traditional rhythms, we’ll learn drumming improvisation and rhythmic concepts that can improve your skills and creativity on any instrument—such as guitar, piano, voice, or drum set. Both new and experienced students are welcome. From 7:00-7:30 we offer extra instruction for beginners.

Julian Gerstin has performed and taught percussion for over 30 years. His expertise includes traditional music of Ghana, Martinique, and Cuba as well as many styles of popular music from Nigeria to New Orleans. Julian teaches music at the Vermont Jazz Center and Keene State College, performs with several jazz ensembles including Zabap, Green Mountain Mambo, and the As Yet Quintet, and is a member of the Afrocuban dance troupe Grupo Palo Santo. Julian lived for two years in Martinique, performing and researching traditional music and dance, leading to a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and many academic publications.

Steve Leicach is a well-known Vermont percussionist who has been drumming for 38 years. He specializes in African and Afro-Caribbean drumming, drum improvisation, percussion theory, and traditional instrument making. Steve is also a master balafon player, and the author of the DVD “The Quick Guide to Djembe Drumming.” He is a long-term member of Brattleboro’s beloved world beat band Simba, and Tony Vacca’s World Rhythms. Steve teaches at Greenfield Community College, The School for International Training, in numerous public schools throughout New England, and at spiritual centers such as the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies.

The class meets at The Loft, in the Cotton Mill Hill studio building, 72 Cotton Mill Hill Rd., Brattleboro, VT.

Please contact Julian to reserve space in the class or with any questions, at julian@zabapmusic.com or (802) 387-8505.

Afro-Caribbean and African Percussion
Thursday Evenings: 7:00-9:00
Jan. 21—May 6 (12 weeks)
$198 for the full session or $18 per class
Julian Gerstin & Steve Leicach