Dana Hall Named An Outstanding "Chicagoan of the Year" By the Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune recently announced its outstanding Chicagoans of the Year, recognizing their achievements in ten arts and culture fields. Dana Hall, the drummer, composer, educator, and Bosphorus artist was the top Jazz Chicagoan, and the only professional musician selected. "I am honored and humbled by this exciting announcement," says the 40-year-old Hall, who was born in Brooklyn and raised in Philadelphia, and has called Chicago his home since 1994. "Chicago is and has historically been an inspiring, significant, and culturally rich city for the visual, performing, and environmental design arts, and to be recognized in this fashion by those writers and critics who are actively and intently covering these areas on a daily basis is extremely gratifying to me. And to be included in a list of honorees as accomplished and noteworthy as those recognized this year makes this honor even more special to me. This has been an incredible year for me as an artist, and I can't think of a better way to ring in the New Year than being named a 2009 Chicagoan of the Year." Dana has been in demand as a sideman for nearly two decades, working with major names in jazz such as Joe Henderson, Branford Marsalis, Maria Schneider, Benny Golson, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and Kenny Barron, made his recording debut as a leader in November 2009 with Into the Light (Origin Records). On the CD, he chose to feature his working band, an all-star quintet comprised of trumpeter Terell Stafford, saxophonist Tim Warfield Jr., pianist Bruce Barth, and bassist Rodney Whitaker.
Immediately upon its release, Into the Light was the most added and highest-debuting new CD on the mainstream and college jazz charts; within a month, it was #8 on the JazzWeek Top 50 and #3 on the College Music Journal Top 40 Jazz charts. The CD is in heavy rotation on all major jazz stations around the U.S., as well as on the nationally syndicated programs "Jazz With Bob Parlocha" and "Jazz After Hours" with Jim Wilke. Into the Light has appeared on best-of-2009 lists by the Chicago Tribune's Howard Reich ("The recording illuminates Hall's expressive breadth as a composer and dynamism as a leader") and the Detroit Free Press's Mark Stryker ("[Hall] leads a whip-smart quintet... through a broad swath of the mainstream -- swinging, stretching, signifying").
Although Hall frequently performs in Chicago as both a sideman and leader, he's especially looking forward to a hometown CD release event at the Green Mill 2/5-6, with the same musicians heard on Into the Light. They'll also be appearing in Cincinnati, at the Blue Wisp (1/29-30), with several East and West Coast bookings to be scheduled in the spring.
JOIN US AT CYMBAL SUMMIT, the first international conference dedicated to the cymbal. Hosted by Memphis Drum Shop, Cymbal Summit is set for May 7-8, 2010 in Memphis, Tennessee. The conference will feature the top cymbal manufacturers, industry experts and artists - along with the world's largest collection of cymbals - all gathered in one spot.
Bosphorus Cymbals proudly release the Stanton Moore Signature Series in BFD2 format. The entire line of hand made cymbals, meticulously recorded and prodeced by John Emrich. To own all of these cymbals would be a dream but to have all of the music and beauty of these cymbals captured in lush high definition audio for a fraction of the costs makes this collection a ground-breaking event for any audio professional. "The Stanton moore Series is one of our biggest sellers, and we are very excited to be the first percussion maufacturer to offer its products in a fully dynamic virtual instrument format,"stated Michael Vosbein, CEO of Bosphorus USA. Click to experience the new virtual world of Bosphorus.
When he's not playing or recording with the likes of Diana Krall and Barbra Streisand, or co-leading the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Bosphorus co-owner Jeff Hamilton maintians a steady working, hard swinging trio. Their new release, Symbiosis is now number one on the JazzWeek charts. Congrats, Jeff.
Sticks 'n' Skins: A Photography Book About the World of Drumming made its debut at sticksnskins.com October 15, 2009! Thirteen Bosphorus artists are highlighted throughout Sticks 'n' Skins which features some never-before-seen photos and stories of Rikki Rocket, Russell Batiste, Jeff Hamilton, Johnny Vidacovich, Stanton Moore, Stephen Badalament, Dan Caro, David Kemper, Kevin O'Day, LaDell Abrams, Mark Simmons, Marquis Johnson, and Mike Snyder. A perfect gift for all Bosphorus fans! Music lovers will discover the heartbeat of music this holiday season in this 560-page coffee table book illuminating the eclectic world of drumming over the past 70 years. Fotos By Folletts photographers traveled to 53 cities in four countries and photographed over 500 drummers to be included in the pages of this captivating hardcover book. From the true legends to students and teachers, drum-techs to cartage companies and shop owners, Sticks 'n' Skins preserves the legacy of this unique group of musicians. Dedicated to the late drumming photographer Lissa Wales, Sticks 'n' Skins opens with a special tribute to her work. Well known to the drumming community, Lissa was a trailblazer in her field, specializing in capturing the heart and soul of drummers around the world. (To learn more about Lissa, please visit DrumPics.com). "This book documents our drumming history, thus preserving our talents and our reasons for why we do what we do for future generations to feel. It is a compelling and moving glimpse into the drumming community." -Dom Famularo, Drumming's Global Ambassador. "I have been privileged and blessed to have met and photographed this amazing group of musicians ... the drummers," says author Jules Follett. "I thank them all for helping me capture their talent, energy and passion visually." For more information or to purchase your copy today, please visit http://www.sticksnskins.com/.
Introducing the new Stanton Moore Drum Company and this gorgeous titanium snare drum! The 4.5 x 14 titanium shell, puresound wires, steel single-flange hoops, Dunnett throw off, and other special features make this a real beauty to hear and to see! All of us at Bosphorus predict great success for Stanton's new drum company.
Check out this interview with Brian Delaney from the November issue of Modern Drummer Magazine to learn how an "impeccably educated jazz drummer" applies his skills to the hard rocking New York Dolls. Click the pic for more.
Click the cymbal for the complete text of the fantastic Modern Drummer review of our Master Vintage Series cymbals and the new Stanton Moore Smash Crashes.
Stanton Moore's clinic at the Atlanta Institute of Music included a trio performance with organist Robert Walter and guitarist Shane Theriot. http://www.robertwalter.com http://www.shanetheriot.com/index.shtml
"about as perfect a jazz ride as I could ever want"
Modern Drummer Magazine
In April's Gear Guide issue, DRUM! Magazine awarded the new Bosphorus Master Vintage Series its Editor's Pick award in the cymbal category. The new October issue of Modern Drummer Magazine features an outstanding Michael Dawson review comparing the series to "the trashy-yet-deadly-precise sound that Tony Williams made legendary on Miles Davis' Seven Steps to Heaven." ...Dawson continues with "about as perfect a jazz ride as I could ever want," and "very special instruments that rival the most coveted classic tones of Tony, Elvin, and Philly Joe..." We couldn't have said it any better ourselves!
I can't help but smile as I read the NY Times review of Neal Smith's performance at Small's Jazz Club. I was present both sold out nights as Neal and his star laden band offered up some blistering "no nonesence post bop." Both nights were recorded for an upcoming live album. Proprieter Spike Wilner has found the right formula for this popular Greenwich Village club, offering live jazz seven nights a week followed by open jams until 4 AM.
The Commandments of Early Rhythm and Blues Drumming, co-authored by Bosphorus artist Daniel Glass with Zoro, won Book of the Year at the 2009 Drummie Awards (DRUM magazine's annual reader's poll). More info here. Daniel also took home second place as a dummer in the Blues/R&B category.
Daniel was recently added to Drummerworld.com, the most prestigious and highly trafficked drumming site on the internet. More here.
Daniel and Zoro will be presenting a joint clinic this November at the annual PASIC convention in Indianapolis. They will be demonstrating material from the new Commandments book and laying down some slamming grooves at one of the premier events of the entire weekend. More here.
The Commandments book has been receiving some rave reviews: Modern Drummer gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, and Drummer Magazine from the UK gave it a perfect 5 out of 5. You can read all the reviews as well as testimonials from the likes of Peter Erskine, Dom Famularo, Mike Clark and Freddie Gruber here.
Congrats to Bos artist Bart Robley.whose instructional DVD just won a Telly award. Founded in 1978, The Telly Award is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online film and video.
Matt Burr (3rd from L) covers International Musician, the monthly journal of the International Federation of Musicians, with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Look for their new disc produced by T-Bone Burnett available soon.
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The owners of Bosphorus International have invited drummers visiting Istanbul to stop by the foundry for a free tour. From casting to final lathing, every cymbal is crafted entirely by hand using centuries old techniques. It is amazing to experience that kind of old world alchemy, and then there's the fantastic city of Istanbul. Contact Kadri for an appointment at kadri@bosphoruscymbals.com.tr
Bosphorus artist Sean Kennedy writes..."Liberty DeVitto and I have been working on a new drumset method book. After many months of re-writes, composing, recording, meeting, etc... it is finally finished!" Carl Fischer Publishing officially released the book in June." It will be available soon at music retailers across the USA and is already available at Amazon.com .The book has already received great reviews from some of the world's leading performers:
"Mastering the content of this excellent book is something that every drummer should strive for!" ...Bernard Purdie
In the drum world, everybody who is anybody eventually drops by Drummer's World in NYC to hang. Owner Barry Greenspan has been grabbing a video camera to catch some very cool footage. Check out his YouTube site here.
Oscar Giunta is considered to be one of the most prominent solo jazz musicians in Argentina. He has performed and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lalo Schifrin, Danilo Perez and Paquito De Rivera. He has just released his first solo album. We are proud to welcome him to the Bosphorus artist roster. Click his pic to check out his site.
Bosphorus welcomes Dion Parson to the family. Dion is originally from the Virgin Islands and is a very busy jazz drummer currently working the New York scene. You may rememebr his face from the TV commercials for the Virgin Islands lottery. Check one of them out here. The 21st Century band, featuring Dion, is celebrating Carribean Heritage Month at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Jazz at Lincoln center June 16th -21st. Click below for more...
Bosphorus Cymbals is proud to have endowed its first annual student scholarship at Berklee College of Music. The recipient, Mathew Garstka, is seen here accepting a cymbal from Bosphorus artists and Berklee faculty members Ralph Peterson (L) and Neal Smith (R). Bosphorus also sponsored a concert at the Berklee Performance Center with Neal Smith's band featuring pianist Mulgrew Miller and the Ralph Peterson 'Fotet featuring saxaphonist Greg Osby.
In DRUM! Magazine's new Gear Guide issue, our Master VintageSeries was awarded Editor's Pick in the cymbal category. Also noteable, the series was nominated for a MIPA Award at Musikmesse in Frankfort last week. The Musikmesse International Press Award is considered the "Grammy" of the Musical Instrument/Pro Audio industry. Check one out today at your favorite dealer.
