www.aquariandrumheads.com Aquarian Drum Heads
During the design and development of RamPad we met with the
major manufacturers of drum heads and viciously experimented with them all. We
were so impressed with the workmanship and quality of the materials used by
Aquarian we immediately knew we had to standardize on their products.
www.myspace.com/michaelleasure Michael Leasure
We are pleased to add Michael to our RamPad family! Hailing
from Los Angeles,
Michael is one of the tastiest drum set artists on the scene. Known for his
zaniness and love of life, Michael is a special person and musician people want
to hang with. Michael performed in high school band and later became the drum
set soloist for the Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in 1987 and the South
Coast Percussion Ensemble in 1995 and 1996.
Michael is currently touring with Walter Trout throughout
the US and Europe.
Michael Leasure is nothing short of an amazing talent and if he's playing near
you be sure to see him!
www.ebmusica.com Ed
Barguiarena
Ed is a working composer and arranger based out of Los Angeles who teaches a
Snare Drum Choir for those who would like to play in an ensemble and improve
their abilities. Ed is the consummate professional: along with four years of
playing in the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps he has given music
clinics world-wide displaying his percussion and keyboard chops.
www.petesapadin.com Pete
Sapadin
Pete Sapadin is an incredibly talented marching percussion
specialist based in Southern California who
helps students gain the skills necessary to perform at the highest levels in
the activity. Pete started his marching percussion career as a member of the
Anaheim Velvet Knights in 1987 & 1988 and went on to perform with both the
Concord Blue Devils in 1989 & 1990, and the Cadets of Bergen County in
1991.
Pete has a unique ability to communicate some of the most
complex drumming concepts across to his students with ease and is always
equipped with his terrific humor. Few instructors have reached a level of
cleanliness with their ensembles and Pete is certainly at the top in our book.
Pete teaches the Riverside
Community College drum
line that put on a fantastic performance most recently at WGI.
www.lonestarpercussion.com Lone Star Percussion
If you need gear these are your go-to-guys! Jeff, Scott, and
their team will get you hooked up with whatever you’re jonzing for. Great deals
and even better customer service.
www.chopspercussion.com Chops
Percussion
Located in the Indianapolis
area, Chops is your percussion headquarters for all your equipment needs. They are staffed with a great group of people
who really know their business.
www.evopercussion.com EVO Percussion
This Indiana-based company services the Mid-West and offers
percussion instruction and arrangements for individuals, marching bands, and
WGI ensembles.
www.mybandstaff.com My Band Staff
Located in Southern California
this company offers products and services critical to a successful band
program.
www.jazhead.com Frank T. Williams, IV.
I am a professional jazz drummer currently working with The Michael Thomas Quintet. Our first CD titled,” The Messenger”, was released in September 2000 followed by “The Awakening” released in October of 2003. Both recordings received rave reviews in Jazz Times, Cadence Magazine and several other publications. “The Awakening was also voted one of the top 20 best recordings of the year by radio station, WPFW in Washington D.C. In 2006 we released our latest CD entitled, “It Is What It Is”. This release met with many great reviews, most notably the May issue of Jazz Times magazine. Live at Twins Jazz Volumes I and II was most recently released in September 2009 and Volume was nominated for a Grammy.
Over the years, I have performed at music festivals and jazz clubs across the country with world renowned performers like John Lamb, Marcus Roberts, Marcus Printup, Nat Adderly, Douglas Carn , Eric Lewis and the Michael Thomas Quintet. I give most credit for teaching me about jazz, through extensive practice and sessions to John Lamb (Duke Ellington’s last bassist) and Marcus Roberts. Associations with drummers Billy Kilson and Ralph Peterson helped shape my conception and approach to drum performance. All of these experiences have given me tremendous insight on presenting percussion lessons, clinics and lectures on music and jazz history as well as assisted me in receiving and maintaining endorsements from Grover Pro Percussion and Silver Fox Percussion.
The website for the Michael Thomas Quintet is www.jazhead.com .
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