Tabla Artist Ty Burhoe

DRUMMERS AROUND THE WORLD

Abbos Kosimov is widely appreciated as an international phenomenon; through his dynamic performances Abbos is recognized globally as a master of the doyra and an ambassador of Uzbek culture. Abbos was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan to a highly musical family. He studied at the Universtiy of Culture and Music under doyra master, Mamurjon Vahabov and graduating in 1994. He also trained from the age of ten with Ustad Tuychi Inagomov, one of the few honored artists officially recognized by the Uzbek head of State. Abbos has recorded and toured with artists such as Zakir Hussain's Masters of Percussion, Stevie Wonder, Giovani Hildalgo, Steve Smith, Terry Bozzio and many more. www.abboskosimov.com

Taufiq Qureshi an ace percussionist of India is also an acclaimed composer. Being the son and disciple of the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Allarakha, Taufiq’s performances showcase the traditional flavor and intricacies of Indian rhythm and the sparkle of contemporary world percussion. Taufiq’s trademark style incorporates body and vocal percussion to create unique rhythmic motifs spanning across cultures. His sense of tone and his command over a wide variety of percussion instruments and styles is phenomenal. His albums have been released internationally and he has performed at prestigious music festivals all over the globe. Taufiq has been greatly influenced by his illustrious brother Zakir Hussain and is privileged to receive guidance from Ghatam Vidhwan Pandit “Vikku” Vinayakram. While the realm of studio music keeps him constantly engaged creatively, Taufiq is continuously evolving as a percussionist in the ever-inspiring world of live performance. www.taufiqqureshi.com

Ram Kishan was born 1938 in Pushkar, Rajasthan and was a disciple of Shri Laluji in the traditional music of the region. Deeply inspired by the sounds of the Nagada played in the Brahma temple at Pushkar, Ram took to playing the instrument at a very young age. He has achieved a high degree of excellence playing in Khayal performances all over Rajasthan, and also as an accompanist to many of India’s most famous musicians. In 1976, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to the folk music of Rajasthan. Ram Kishan sadly passed away April 26th 2008. The evening of Zakir Hussain & The Masters of Percussion’s, New York City sold out performance at City Hall, Ram Kishan played his final brilliant solo and upon his final stroke, the audience went wild, the lights went to dark and the great Ram Kishan passed on from this world. His great light will always shine through the rhythm of time.

Bhavani Shankar is one of India’s leading pakhawaj players. He has toured extensively with Zakir Hussain and with leading maestros of Indian classical music. A versatile percussionist, he is brilliant on a host of other drums, including the dholak. From a family of kathaks, he is versed in the ancient slokas (poetical compositions) and rhythmic compositions of these storytellers. Bhavani is one of the most “in demand” traditional drummers in India today. He is truly a legend in his own right. www.cdbaby.com/cd/bhavanishankar/from/poetrychaikhana

Selva Ganesh is a young percussion maestro widely considered as the foremost Kanjira player of his generation. The son of the legendary T. H. Vinayakram, India's foremost Ghatam exponent, Selva is a child prodigy who has received widespread recognition for his virtuosity with this instrument. His career began in 1986 at the age of 14 years. He has been accompanying all the greats of Carnatic music such as Lalgudi Jayaraman, Mandolin U. Srinivas, M. S. Subbalakshmi etc. For the past 3 years, he has been touring worldwide with Zakir Hussain as part of "Remember Shakti", one of the foremost cross-cultural collaborations of our time. This year, "Remember Shakti" is nominated for a Grammy in the Best World Music category. www.geocities.com/v_selvaganesh/html/frameset.htm

Rick Alan joined Def Leppard at the age of 15, right before the band signed their record contract. He lost his left arm in a car accident in 1984, but this didn't stop him from being a drummer; with the help from a (semi-)electronic drum kit, Rick became "a better drummer than he was when he had two arms" (as said by Joe Elliott). In 1986, the drumkit was completely electronic, but since 1995, some parts are acoustic again, depending on his studio- or live setting. Rick is also the founder of "Raven Drum Foundation" which creates drumming circles and workshops for kids & adults alike as well as supporting / presenting Elders from the Native American tradition. Rick is an amazing musician with an uncanny deep sense of time and a heart of pure gold. He is truly seen as a hero to musicians and fans across the globe. www.ravendrum.com

Benjy Wertheimer is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed Ancient Future world fusion music ensemble. An award-winning musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist (playing tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards), Benjy has toured the US, Canada, Europe, Central America and Japan, and has opened for such artists as Carlos Santana, Paul Winter, and Narada Michael Walden. He now tours and records regularly with such artists as Krishna Das and Deva Premal. He has studied Indian classical music for over 25 years with some of the greatest masters of that tradition (including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan and Z. M. Dagar). He has recorded with numerous A&M, Windham Hill, Narada, Nippon Phonogram, and Rounder recording artists. Benjy was also a contributing composer and member of the Zakir Hussain Rhythm Experience (along with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead). www.benjymusic.com

Steve Smith has a history in the music industry that is vast and traverses many different styles. With the rock band Journey, Smith toured around the world and recorded many successful albums. Smith began leading his own fusion band Vital Information in 1983. His explosive solos and intricate timekeeping served to gain him much acclaim from sources such as Modern Drummer Magazine, whose readers voted him the #1 All-Around Drummer five years in a row. His much collaboration include artists such as Ahmad Jamal, Jeff Berlin, Michael Manring, Stanley Clarke, Randy Brecker, Zakir Hussain and the Buddy Rich Big Band, with whom he has performed in many tribute concerts to the late drumming idol. In 2001 Modern Drummer Magazine named Steve as one of the Top 25 Drummer of All Time, in 2002 he was voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame and finally in 2003 his Hudson Music DVD "Steve Smith Drum set Technique - History of the U.S. Beat" was voted #1 Educational DVD of 2003. www.vitalinformation.com/steve

Mickey Hart is best known for his nearly three decades as an integral part of an extraordinary expedition into the soul and spirit of music, disguised as the rock and roll band the Grateful Dead. As half of the percussion tandem known as the Rhythm Devils, Mickey and Bill Kreutzmann transcended the conventions of rock drumming. Their extended polyrhythmic excursions were highlights of Grateful Dead shows, introducing the band's audience to an ever-growing arsenal of percussion instruments from around the world. Exposure to these exotic sounds fueled Mickey's desire to learn about the various cultures that produced them. www.mickeyhart.net

Geoff Johns - Cross-cultural percussionist vocalist Geoff Johns is a dynamic performer and enthusiastic teacher. He uses music to bring people together in celebration of life. In his work, he integrates and articulates a wealth of knowledge about the historical, cultural, psychological, and spiritual context of world music traditions. He plays a vast array of instruments and sings in several languages. He has traveled widely, studying and performing with such master musicians as John Amira, Zakir Hussein, Kobla Ladzekpo, Mamady Keita, Erica Azim, and Jorge Alabe. He has developed a comprehensive system of notation for non-European percussion and produced three CDs: DRUM! How to Play the Rhythms of Africa and Latin America; Bakongo Drumming Music for Dancers; and The Conga Drummer's Friend. www.rhythmjoy.com

Shaun Burhoe (Ty's son) born in 1986, is a very talented musician and telemark skier. He began learning tabla and voice at age 4 with his father and has had several lessons with both Zakir Hussain and Anindo Chatterjee. Shaun also has become a performing mandolin player deepening his grasp of not
only bluegrass and jazz, but also classical and Indian. In Shaun's skiing career, he has not only won the Junior National Championships but won the Junior division of the World Cup. Shaun can b contacted at
shaunburhoe@gmail.com.

Geoffrey Gordon is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, recording artist, teacher, and world music producer. Geoffrey has practiced yoga and devotional singing known as kirtan since 1971 and leads kirtan today at yoga centers and retreats. Geoffrey has recorded and performed extensively over three decades with musicians from many traditions, from Robbie Robertson and Rita Coolidge, to Broadway performances of M. Butterfly with John Lithgow and Juan Darien with Julie Taymor, Jai Uttal, Ram Dass and Krishna Das. Geoffrey has also studied North Indian Classical Music and Tabla with Zakir Hussain, Ustad Allarakha, and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. www.geoffreygordon.com

Pete Lockett is one of the most versatile and prolific percussionists in the World. His percussive skills range from North and South India to Japanese taiko drumming, Arabic hand drumming and drum set; from blues, funk and rock to classical, folk and ethnic. Having worked in virtually every field of music conceivable both live and in the studio he has recorded and/or toured with Björk, Peter Gabriel, Zakir Hussain, Nitin Sawhney, Bill Bruford, Texas, The Verve, Viku Vinayakram, Selva Ganesh, Mel C, Steve Smith, Craig Armstrong, Afro Celt Sound System, Bedlam, Beth Orton, Kulu Shaker and Vanessa-Mae amongst others. He also has many film credits, playing on the three most recent Bond movies, as well as the City of Angels, Moulin Rouge, The Insider, Plunkett and Maclean, and the Guy Ritchie movie Snatch. Pete has released four solo albums which have received international acclaim. His web site is one of the most thorough free percussion resources on the net. www.petelockett.com

Dave Lewis is a young and talented drummer who has emerged on the music scene as a performer, recording artist, composer and educator. He has performed and recorded with the bands Mason, the Dave Lewis quartet, the Marco Godoy quintet, Natural Tendency, First Circle, Clockwinder, Oaktown Jazz, Hollow Moon, the Berkley Yellowjackets Ensemble, and is currently a fourth year student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. This second generation drummer grew up listening to North Indian percussion, and from the age of twelve, studied jazz, fusion, funk, rock and pop. Dave’s teachers include Walfredo Reyes Sr., Rod Morgenstein, Mike Mangini, John Ramsay, Kenwood Dennard, Dave DiCenso, Ralph Peterson, and his father, Michael Lewis (tabla player with Zakir Hussain and the Rhythm Experience.) Dave is an extremely versatile drummer with a very uplifting presence. He is highly recommended for freelance, studio and film work. www.davelewismusic.com

Giovanni Hidalgo - An artist some describe as "touched by the hand of God," conguero Giovanni Hidalgo plays a major role in shaping the way the world thinks of hand drumming. Truly, he has become a living legend. Giovanni feels himself to be "a man of all music," having performed with musicians ranging from Zakir Hussain to Airto Moreira. He has toured with jazz great Art Blakey and continues to tour with Mickey Hart's Planet Drum. For several years he was a member of the Dizzy Gillespie United Nations Jazz Orchestra, Eddie Palmieri, Changuito, Jack Bruce, Dave Valentin, Paquito D'Rivera, Cameo, Paul Simon, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messenger.
"I am in synchronization with life, with people, with nature. I try to be a part of all the things people do in the world so my music can give them strength, love, and faith. My gift to others is my love of music, and I will give it until I die." www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Giovanni_Hidalgo.html

Airto Moreira has deeply influenced not only world music but also the evolution of jazz for the last half centur. His vast list of collaborations & recordings include; Miles Davis, Joe Zawignul, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Jack De Johnette, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett, Miroslav Vitous, Alphonse Mouzon, Joe Farrell and Stanley, Mickey Hart, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, George Duke and Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, Giovanni Hidalgo, Zakir Hussain, Babatunde Olatunji, The Crusaders, Chicago, and many others. His contributions to movie sound tracks include The Exorcist, Last Tango in Paris, King of the Gypsies and Apocalypse Now. Since 1965 he and his wife, Flora Purim (incredible jazz & improvisational vocalist) have been advancing the cause of world and percussion music. www.airto.com

Jim Santi Owen has been working teaching and performing in the Bay Area for since 1991. He performs and records with Ancient Future, Trance Mission, Tock, Pharaoh Sanders, Mobius Operandi, and the Ali Akbar College Tabla Ensemble. Jim studied tabla (a North Indian pair of drums with goat-skin heads) with Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. From his South Indian drumming teachers T.H. Subash Chandran and K.Shekar, he learned thavil (a rare two-headed barrel drum played with a stick in one hand and finger caps on the other), morsing (a mouth harp), ghatam (a clay pot played with the fingers), and kanjira (a small frame drum with a lizard-skin head). www.ancient-future.com/jimowen.html

Cheri Shanti is the author of the book, "Muse Power: How Recreational Music Making Heals us from Depression and the Symptoms of Modern Culture." A performing artist, musical alchemist and a committed student of rhythm and drumming, she has been creating unique and transformational Muse Experiences around the world for over a decade. Her work focuses on building community through the Muse Arts of drumming, dancing, singing, poetry and other forms of self expression. Cheri has recorded 4 solo CD's of original music, and has recently launched a new website : "The Muse Network" that is designed to be a global social networking site for the creative expressive arts. In addition, she is co-founder of Selva Armonia, a retreat center in Costa Rica for the expressive arts and artists. www.cherishanti.com