Story

I play drumset and percussion. I started playing drums 18 years ago, inspired by some combination of a drum solo and a passing train. While watching a now defunct Richmond, VA band called The Impressionists perform an outdoor concert, I was taken by the drummer’s solo. I remember very little of what he did or didn’t play, but I vividly recall the sound of his solo as it was sent awash by the rumble of a train passing on its tracks some 50 yards away. After that concert I spoke with the drummer and bought my first drumset from him a few weeks later.

I went on to study with three different drum teachers through middle and high school. My main focus at that time was playing solo set and percussion. In middle school my preferred listening was in hip hop/rap and rock musics. In high school I started to expand my listening, getting more interested in jazz and in what is often vaguely called “World Music.” I became very interested in music from outside America – field recordings, community concerts, music to work by, traditional songs sung in many languages that I did not speak. The theme tying all of this together was and is rhythm and a fascination with sound. I also recorded and released (on a very small scale) my first two solo albums in this time – “The Boy Who Was a Sound” and “Explorations in Rhythm.” This was a very creative era.    

I attended college first at University of Vermont and later at University of Virginia. In Vermont my academic focus had less to do with music and more to do with writing and language. When I moved to Charlottesville I began what would become the next creative phase, linking up with area jazz musicians Robert Jospe, John D’earth, and others. I studied ethnomusicology at UVA, paying particular focus to African music and Jazz. I divided my music time between drumset, vibraphone, piano, and percussion. I also studied Ghanaian drumming with Michelle Kisliuk and Afro-Cuban percussion with Kevin Davis. All of these people were very supportive and inspiring.  

Since finishing school, I have worked as a freelance drummer and as a drum teacher. In this time I have played and performed with many bands. Most of these bands were short-lived, or at least, my work with them only went on for some months or a year. I have learned a lot from working with these bands, playing many different styles of music, working with many different personality types in a variety of musical venues. One of the most important skills a drummer (musician) can have is adaptability, and working freelance in many bands like this is one sure way to develop this skill. 

Presently I perform regularly with two bands: Beleza Brasil (Charlottesville) and Os Magrelos (Richmond). Both of these bands draw heavily on Brazilian music, fusing Samba style with American funk, soul, groove, rock. I really enjoy both of these bands and the people in them.  

In addition to playing drums, I also write words, sing, write songs, and record the whole pursuit. This all happens under the name rhythmantis – Mantis, for short. I’m steadily putting together an album of original music that will feature me on most all of the instruments – vocals, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, etc. 

Maybe this helps you to get a better sense of my background. You can gather more insights on this blog or elsewhere on the web.