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4/4/2006
HERLIN RILEY PERFORMS AT COLUMBUS PRO PERCUSSION “DRUM DAZE”
Media Contact:
Jeff Ivester
615-793-2050
COLUMBUS, OH – Sunday’s Eleventh Annual Drum Daze started with a bang. Mapex artist and jazz sensation, Herlin Riley kicked off the event with a high-energy clinic that brought the crowd of over 900 people to its feet.
Drum Daze, hosted by Columbus Pro Percussion in Columbus, OH, has featured some of the world’s greatest players over the past decade. This year’s event was no exception. In addition to Mapex’s Herlin Riley, there were also performances by Steve Ferrone, Thomas Lang, Keith Carlock, Dennis Chambers and Paul Liem. The event was held at the Capitol Theatre in Downtown Columbus.
Herlin Riley started his set with a stirring jazz-infused solo that included some hot licks on tambourine. He followed that up with a discussion of contemporary and traditional jazz and the differences between playing jazz and playing straight-up.
“Playing jazz requires a lot of interaction between players in the band,” explained Riley. “Jazz requires a great deal of concentration and focus, because there are no rules and no scores to be followed.”
Riley, a native of New Orleans, also shared his experiences growing up in the Lower Ninth Ward around some of the greatest drummers he’d ever seen. “Those guys could make music with anything – washboards, dried chicken bones or whatever was around,” explained Riley. “I was very fortunate to have grow up in an environment where I could be exposed to players with such creativity.”
Riley performed on a Saturn Series Kit in a jazz configuration. The set was finished in the new Electric Blue Sparkle Lacquer. He continued his clinic with a question and answer segment and shared advice on brush techniques, cymbal work and gave some handy tips on tambourine. He finished his segment with a rousing solo that earned him a standing ovation. At the end of the evening, there were long lines of autograph-seeking fans.
Riley and Jim Rupp, the owner of Columbus Pro Percussion are old friends. Rupp was thrilled to have Riley on the bill. “Herlin is a fantastic player and a terrific person. His personality comes through in his playing and people just love him. He’s very highly respected by the all the people on my staff. They couldn’t wait to meet Herlin and see him play.”
Mapex representatives also manned a display at Drum Daze and showed off the Pro M Series and the “Buy the Kit, Get the Cat” Promotion. Also on display was a new limited edition Black Panther snare that will be available later this summer.
“This is a very impressive and well-organized event,” said Joe Vasko, Vice President and General Manager for Mapex USA. “The talent is incredible and the crowd is very enthusiastic. Mapex is proud to be part of Drum Daze and we plan on expanding our participation even more for next year’s event.”
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