Pink Floyd drummer considers band’s legacy
By John Carucci/The Associated Press
POSTED: 11/14/2014 03:15:37 PM EST
NEW YORK — While Pink Floyd’s first album in 20 years, “The Endless River,” represents an end to the band’s recording career, drummer Nick Mason shared some insight into the band’s legacy.
“I’ve never understood it,” 70-year-old Mason said of the band’s longevity.
“Playing with Roger I would have to say was always good. The relationship with a bass player and drummer is very special. Of course, there were differences later on,” Mason said.
“I’ve made some smart remarks over the years, but he is still one of my oldest, dearest friends, and a man I’m always pleased to see.”
SKF NOTE: The photo here shows Doug Clifford in concert in 1969. However, there are no details on the displayed drumset cited in this news report.
MIM opens unique drum history exhibit
BY MARK REMILLARD, | November 14, 2014 @ 6:00 am
A unique exhibit looking into the history of drums debuts in Phoenix on Saturday.
PHOENIX — The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix is opening up its Beyond the Beat exhibit and curator Cullen Strawn said he and his fellow curators at the museum are responsible for putting the entire exhibit together after about a year of work.
“The exhibit has more than 100 musical instruments and associated objects on display,” he said. “About 75 percent of that has never been seen before at (the Musical Instrument Museum) because we continue to build and refine our collection.”
….Strawn said visitors will see a history of percussion instruments unlike any other.
“It’s all about drums from all over the world, the different ways they’re made and played, different shapes and sizes, the different context in which they’re used and the many meanings that they can have on people’s lives,” Strawn said.
Some of the instruments on display include contemporary drum kits, such as the 1969 drum kit used by Creedence Clearwater Revival drummer Doug Clifford….
Drummer Chad Smith rocks out with Greenfield school
UPDATED 7:38 PM PST Nov 13, 2014
GREENFIELD, Calif. —What did you learn at school today? Kids at Mary Chapa Academy in Greenfield learned how to play the drums from Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
For nearly three hours, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer talked with students about using the arts as a fun, alternative way to excel in school, told them inspirational stories, and had a drum jam session.
The drummer said he never would have graduated from high school if he didn’t have music classes to look forward to and a band to play in.
Fifth-grade student Suzy Rodriguez said her school has never had a music program until now.
SKF NOTE: Composer Julia Wolfe‘s “riSE and fLY” percussion concerto caught my attention while reading this story about percussionist Colin Currie’s “Metal Wood Skin” percussion festival. I haven’t heard the concerto, but what I hear on this trailer – and especially what Ms. Wolfe says about “riSE and fLY” intrigue me. They make me want to hear the entire piece.
I am drawn to Wolfe’s musical use — key word: musical – of the oldest of percussion instruments with new music, new sounds: “So, rather than going, like, ‘Let me go see what Stravinsky did,’ let me go see what these [street musicians] are doing on my street.'”
Kudos also to Mr. Currie’s sense of percussive and musical adventure. I look forward to learning more about him.
Watch the trailer for Julia Wolfe’s riSE and fLY, a percussion concerto composed for Colin Currie.
“Urban folk music. Playing with your hands, snapping your fingers…. These kind of rhythms that come out of American traditions like hambone, or street hip hop kind of feel. It’s beautiful. That was my idea: take it and stretch it to some new place.
“I’m kind of a carnivore of street musicians. Why don’t I embrace it and bring it into my world? So, it’s a fun way of culling from people’s natural musicianship. So, rather than going, like, “Let me go see what Stravinsky did,” let me go see what these guys are doing on my street.” Excerpt of Julia Wolfe from “riSE and fLY” Trailer.
Scott K Fish 
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