WAS AMAZING!

i got to meet/talk vintage drums with one of my favorite drummers..Brian Blade!

(i'll post pics later) he played an early sixties Luddy black&gold duco set with what i believe was a 10-lug COB ludwig universal snare (much older i'd say) if you guys don't know about him and wanna see a very explosive jazz drummer..check him out.

the Chuchito Valdes Quintet was also very good. more of a latin-style/smooth jazz ground. Chuchito Valdes is probably the best piano player i've ever seen live. the guy knows his way around 88 keys. Ruben Alvarez was great on drums. he had a very laid back/back-beat type of style. he was very good and incorporating his Timbales into the mix. great rim shots!

Nicole Mitchell (home town hero) was simply phenomenal. i only saw her with her Black Earth Ensemble Featuring Edmar Castaneda. her music was very dark and rhythmic. Jason Adasiewicz on vibes was great. and Edmar Castaneda made the harp do things i never knew possible. i also got to meet and talk drums with her drummer Marcus Evans. he was telling me how he uses a Zildjian prototype flate-ride/25th anniversary Istanbul Agop/and a Dream ride. they all blended soo well together!

if anyone was there you know how great it was.

for those of you who weren't, you really should check these artists out.

(these were my personal fav)

and for those of you from/around the Chicago land area..

go check out Brian Blade when he plays with Chick Corea Oct.8th at the Symphony Center! he'll blow you away!

The Band