ROUND UP - DannyBritt.com Tommy Igoe and Dom Famularo kicked off Australia’s newest - annual - premier drumming event. ... ROUND UP TONY ROYSTER JNR JACKSON MARTENS WINNER ...

Since 1995 Drumscene has been involved in bringing some of the biggest artists to our shores and staging numerous tours and events enjoyed by thousands in the music community across the nation. July 2006 saw the debut of a new, exciting and unique concept: Drumscene LIVE hit Australia for the first time introducing a whole new concept and taking it to all the major cities around Australia. Thomas Lang, Tommy Igoe and Dom Famularo kicked off Australia’s newest - annual - premier drumming event.On July 22nd - 29th 2007, Australian audiences were once again treated and blown away with the second spectacular instalment of Drumscene Live. This year’s presentation consisted of an evening of drumming entertainment from three of today’s biggest international drumming stars: Sonny Emory, Marco Minnemann and Tony Royster JNR.

Compiled by Frank Corniola Photography by Jon Van Daal & Harry Cassio

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ROUND UP

TONY ROYSTER JNR

JACKSON MARTENSWINNER - ZILDJIAN EFX 20’’BRISBANE

DUANE MANNING - WINNER - ZILDJIAN EFX 20’’ - AUDW/MELB.

WITH FRANK & DOM

KEVIN WILMOT DRUMSCENE LIVE TEAM & ARTISTS

MARCO MINNEMANNSONNY EMORY

L-R: MARCO, SEBASTIAN RYAN - WINNER - ZILDJIAN EFX 20’’CANBERRA, WITH TONY & SONNY

L-R: GENESIO SERPI, JOSH WILLIAMS, MARCO, TONY & SONNY

A Foot Note From The Editor:Drumscene would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful artists, Sonny, Marco and Tony for their amazing and memorable performances. To all the co-host drum shops and their respective staff for all their hard work and dedication: Ray Deegan and Matt Gibson - Drumtek Melbourne. Kevin Wilmot, John Griffen, Brian Whyte, Michael Grabbe, Sam Mead and Simon Robbrown - Billy Hyde Drumworx Brisbane. Jamie Kuijpers, John Stevens, Kelly Reynolds and Steve Schultz - Billy Hyde Music Adelaide. Con Perkas - Derringers SA. Genesio Serpi and Josh Williams - Better Music Canberra. Tony Ward, Anthony Sheridan and Damien McCluer - Billy Hyde Drumcraft Sydney. Mick Lamb and Maz Pettit

Special thanks to all the sponsors.

- The Drum Shop Perth. To Rosanna Corniola, John Corniola, Vinnie Crea, Russell Smith, Bradley Willats, Michael Shade, Brendan Callinan, Paul Toth, Danny Boldiston, Tim Fikas, Justin Malseed, Daz from the Gov, Peter and Carl Tesoriero. A huge thank you to our wonderful crew, Peter Fundeis, Ben Johnson and Anthony Cianci who travelled thoughtout Australia and worked countless hours to meet each event deadline. If you would like to find out more about the 2008 Drumscene Live tour and other future events, email your details to [email protected]

Frank Corniola

SONNY EMORY Next up on the bill was Sonny Emory, who has worked with the likes of Earth, Wind and Fire, Bette Midler, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Al Jarreau, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Lopez and many others. Sonny Emory is a GROOVE MASTER. His rock-solid time playing was the basis of his long and entertaining drum solo. Sonny’s solo ideas were based on many grooves to which he then improvised, with such contrasting styles as: jazz, rock, funk, hip hop, samba (South American), bembe (African) and many others. The solo also built in levels of increasing intensity, along with an increase with physical movement resulting in simultaneous stick twirling and drum set cross-overs. While doing this, towards the end of the solo he also maintained a steady 3-2 Rhumba Clave with the left foot, using the LP Gajate bracket with a blue jam block. He proceeded to cap off his segment by playing along to a track (minus drums) from his fusion band.

MARCO MINNEMANNNext was Marco Minnemann. Marco has unquestionably covered new and unknown musical and drumming territory in recent times. This young man (originally from Germany and now based in L.A.) has to be seen to be believed. His playing concepts are that of incredible complexity and flowing musicality resulting in a very unique style which is all his own. Not many an experienced drummer could even attempt to imitate Marco’s playing style. Marco used many-layered polyrhythmic ostinatos as the basis for his soloing, over these he played quite melodic figures, always starting with a theme and relating many improvised permutations to it and consequently returning to the original theme. This is not too dissimilar to a contemporary Art Music composition style/technique. Marco finished off by playing along with a blistering progressive rock/heavy metal piece which left everybody laughing and shaking their heads in sheer amazement. Absolutely amazing!!

The night was finished off by Tony, Sonny, and Marco hitting the stage and performing as a trio. They cruised on a groove together while trading fours, interlocked some call and response ideas with each other then played some heavily syncopated ideas in a tutti format (all playing same notes simultaneously) which again resulted in screams of amazement from the crowd. As if that wasn’t enough, they got out from behind their drum sets (while playing rudiments on their drumsticks and twirling them while doing so!!) and a table was put on the front of the stage. They then proceeded to play the table together, the legs, the top, the whole thing! There was a great demonstration of the U.S. drum corps style of playing, which included much stick throwing, catching and twirling while playing various rudiments and demonstrating showmanship reminiscent of a by-gone era. On the whole, the night was a complete success with Marco, Sonny and Tony being educational, inspiring and humorous which helped create a strong spirit of unity in the room. Worthy of note is that these three players each have a completely unique style which makes them all very special indeed. One can only wonder who Frank Corniola will bring out for the next DrumScene Live tour……

For those who missed the opportunity to see this amazing trio in action Drumscene’s Sydney based correspondant, John Adams brings you this report on just one of the amazing shows that were staged nationally. July 25th 2007 was a very healthy day for the Sydney drumming community. The DrumScene Live Tour clinic featuring Marco Minnemann, Tony Royster Jr. and Sonny Emory stopped by for their Sydney leg of a national tour which ended up at The Ultimate Drummers weekend in Melbourne. The venue was the very ideal Manning Bar, situated at the prestigious Sydney University. The Manning Bar temperatures were scorching due to the talent of three amazing drummers and a room filled to absolute capacity. This was due to the help from all the Billy Hyde Music stores selling tickets for this truly world class event. Thanks are in order to Billy Hydes General Manager Tony Ward and all the boys at the stores for all the hard work, whether it be on stage setting up, behind the merchandise desk or collecting tickets at the front entrance, photography from John Van Daal, and all those other small but necessary jobs that make the night run as smooth as it did. Also, a big thank you to Frank Corniola from DrumScene, for producing the tour and organising a line-up of truly world class musicians for all to see. Firstly, what must be mentioned is that one of the frequently heard comments during the course of the night was about the very positive human spirit from the three featured artists. From the audience to the crew and all other people that came in contact with Marco, Tony and Sonny, much was said about their friendliness and warmth. From the standpoint of the crew who were working with them all day setting up, there were plenty of laughs and the job of setting up did not seem to be tedious at all.

TONY ROYSTER JNR.First on stage was Tony Royster Jr. Tony started the night with a jaw-dropping solo with elements all great solos include: dynamics, groove, and just downright incredible chops. There were moments where Tony would play flawless jazz grooves then all of a sudden break out into an extreme metal blast-beat, all within a few bars.

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TONY WARD & FRANK CORNIOLA