This article written by B. Michael Williams was originally published in the November 2012 issue of Percussive Notes. These pages outline the work of a “Percussive Renaissance Man.”
John Bergamo – Percussive Renaissance Man
John Bergamo – Percussive Renaissance Man
Frame Drum Chops
With this recipe, you can create a sumptuous world percussion cuisine using many ingredients you may already have on hand, including good old fashioned rudiments applied to frame drums.
Frame Drum Chops with Spicy Rudimental Marinade
Mamady Keita’s Djembe Kan
Mamady Keita is an undisputed master of the djembe who has dedicated his life to furthering the art of West African music, dance, and culture throughout the world. I like to call him “the Michael Jordan of the djembe.”
Mamady Keita’s Djembe Kan || Djembe Kan Notation
Mickey Hart: Still Drumming at the Edge of Magic
“Amazing, gratifying, humbling,” is how Mickey Hart describes the experience of joining the ranks of the PAS Hall of Fame.
Mickey Hart: Still Drumming at the Edge of Magic
Kalimba Magic Interviews B.M. Williams
KM: Here is your introduction to percussionist and scholar B. Michael Williams, in his own words:
PASIC 2005 – World Percussion Ensemble Literature
The following is a selection of works for percussion ensemble representing a variety of world music influences. Many are based on authentic indigenous music, while others borrow freely in matters of rhythm, style, modality, or instrumentation.
World Percussion Ensemble Literature
Insights on Practicing World Music
How does world percussion fit into the practice puzzle? For most percussionists, it is added to a foundation of orchestral or keyboard percussion… Rarely does a Western-trained percussionist start out with the intention of becoming a world percussion specialist.
Insights on Practicing World Music
Mamady Keita’s “Kuku”
Mamady Keita has established himself as the standard-bearer of jembe improvisation.
Mamady Keita’s “Kuku”
Babatunde Olatunji
Babatunde Olatunji has been hailed as the father of African drumming in the United States. For nearly fifty years he has spread a message of love with his drum.
Babatunde Olatunji
Stockhausen: No. 9 Zyklus
The work “Zyklus” (cycle) represents the application of a concept formulated by Webern and continued by Messiaen seeking the unification of all properties of sound under a single principle of organization.
Stockhausen: No.9 Zyklus
Relationships Between African Mbira and Marimba
This article explores a possible relationship between the two instruments by examining their common geographical distribution, tuning systems, linguistic origins, and repertory.
Relationships Between African Mbira and Marimba
Mamady Keita’s “Mendiani”
Mendiani,” also known as “Mandiani” or “Manjani,” is a social dance of the Malinke people of Guinea and Mali, West Africa.
Mamady Keita’s “Mendiani”
John Cage: Professor, Maestro, Percussionist, Composer
Throughout John Cage’s early career, his mother kept scrapbooks to document his activities and accomplishments.
Cage Professor Maestro Percussionist Composer
Getting Started With Mbira
There are many different types of mbira found throughout Africa. These are called by a variety of names such as sanza, likembe, karimba, kalimba and matepe, to name a few.
Getting Started With Mbira
Mamady Keita’s “Kassa”
This transcription of “Kassa” comes from Mamady’s first CD recording, Wassolon, with his ensemble known as Sewa Kan.
Mamady Keita’s “Kassa”
A Jembe Lesson with Yaya Diallo
The thirty exercises presented in this article represent a systematic approach to developing the essential techniques of jembe drumming.
A Djembe Lesson
Early Percussion Music of John Cage
The following interview of John Cage by B. Michael Williams was conducted on June 6, 1988.
A John Cage Interview
The Early Percussion Music of John Cage, 1935-1943
“You should read this. It is superb. Dr. Williams’ thesis should be on any essential list of reading for all percussionists.”
Robin Engelman, Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame
John Cage Dissertation
