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| Dennis Maberry Dennis Maberry is a versatile percussionist who has studied a variety of traditional percussion methods including African, Afro Cuban, Afro Haitian, Middle Eastern Frame Drum, and rhythmic concepts of India. By blending these influences into a rhythmic stew Dennis has created a rhythmical style that is distinctively his own. Dennis was introduced to hand drums in the mid 90's while attending the World Rhythm Festival in Seattle, WA. He has taken classes with Olatunji's Drums of Passion member Gordy Ryan and Conga Joy author Bill Matthews (with whom he has recently recorded a track for Dennis' next cd), in addition to attending over fifty workshops with many great percussionists including Babatunde Olatunji, Leon Mobley, Judy Piazza (with whom he has recorded several tracks with for his next cd), Arthur Hull, Kalani, Kim Atkinson, and Raquy and the Cavemen, among others. He has also managed to fit in private instruction with several of the West Coast's top musicians..... He is the author of the popular instructional book "Drum Circle Grooves" featuring a foreword by Arthur Hull “Father of the Modern Drum Circle Movement”. The book is available through Amazon.com and Borders.com and www.lulu.com/rhythmspirit and through various percussion related websites...... Dennis has recently begun recording his next cd. Completed tracks include several pieces featuring special guests Olatunji Drums of Passion member Gordy Ryan, Conga Joy author Bill Matthews, frame drum master Judy Piazza. and master percussionist Tor Dietrichson (from the legendary Diga Rhythm Band led by Mickey Hart) ..... Besides percussion based music Dennis is also active in other genres. Dennis is featured on drums and percussion on the debut release from eclectic acoustic group "Greta, Grits, and Gravy". Dennis plays with several of the Midwest Top Musicians including playing regularly with Bill Laymon (New Riders of the Purple Sage, David Nelson Band, Kingfish) and as a special guest sitting in with acoustic favorite Tom Irwin, Black Magic Johnson, the Dharma Bums, Perfunctory This Band, and Celtic Rock group Emerald Underground..... He has also played and/or recorded with a variety of musicians from several popular Midwest groups including NIL8, Enamel, the Suitcase Nukes, the Sarah Schneider Band, and the Bourbon Bluegrass Band, among others.... To find out more information on Dennis' musical adventures please visit www.myspace.comrhythmspirit Jimi Comfort Jimi has been the backbone of the Rhythmspirit workshops for several years. He holds down the pulse allowing Dennis to teach and facilitate without worry about loosing the groove. His spirit and joy of playing is infectious and adds great energy to the workshops and classes offered by Rhythmspirit Percussion Jimi's rhythmic studies involve three years of study with Dennis Maberry in addition to attending several percussion workshops while attending the World Rhythm Festival in Seattle Washington. Rhythm styles played include African, Afro Cuban, Haitian, and Middle Eastern. Jimi is a founding member of "World Groove Revival" and has appeared on Dennis Maberry's cd release "Rhythms is the Key". He is currently recording for Dennis' upcoming cd. World Groove Revival Dennis Maberry and Jimi Comfort are both members of the percussion and didgeridoo based world music group "World Groove Revival" Formerly known as "Love Drum Talk" the name change represents the new direction that the band has taken by adding instruments such as Didgeridoo, Balafon, and Mbira to the mix. The group plan on going into the studio soon so keep an eye out for their debut cd. For more information on the group please visit www.myspace.com/worldgrooverevival |
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