In this class students will learn drumset patterns for playing Swing, Blues, Country, Cajun, and other styles and understand how they are related. Rudiments will be discussed along with rhythmic theory and improvisation of fills and solos. We will make use of audio play-along media to give participants a chance to perform in a musical context. Beginners and those that play none-percussion instruments, as well experienced drummers, are welcome!
Instructor Bio
After graduating from Virginia Tech in Psychology with some work towards an MBA, Wes Crawford toured North America and the Caribbean for eleven years with Jazz/Rhythm & Blues song stylist Jane L. Powell (www.JaneLPowell.com ) where he performed on drumset and worked as Road Manager for the group. Since leaving perpetual road life in 1992, Wes has continued as Ms. Powell’s Manager where he oversees her international performance schedule. While performing for Ms. Powell, the group won numerous awards on the college circuit including Entertainer of the Year in 1990.
Since settling into the Washington DC/Baltimore region in 1992, Wes has performed and recorded on drumset and hand percussion with numerous musical acts of all styles including Higher Octave/Narada recording artists Shahin & Sepehr, popular saxophonist Ron Holloway, the late legendary Eva Cassidy, Daryl Davis, and many others. He also performs his solo interactive performance, “A Rhythmic Murder Mystery” on electronic percussion for schools, drumming groups, and musical camps. Wes works with the corporate team-building program, Beatswork!, by Catalyst Events and leads his own group, Enviro Drum- Maryland. Wes was trained for drum circle facilitation by internationally known facilitator, Christine Stevens.
Wes considers musical education to be his most important legacy to the future and therefore has taught drumset privately and at Goucher College in Baltimore since 1996. Wes also directed the annual Drumset And Percussion Camp (www.DrumsetAndPercussionCamp.org) of the Goucher Summer Arts Institute from 2005-2013, has taught for the National Guitar Workshop camp system, and has taught at Augusta Blues and Swing Week since 2014. Wes also presents drumset clinics and workshops at schools and universities and for drumming groups. He also writes and conducts interviews for DrumPro Magazine (www.Drum.com) and for Percussive Notes. Since 1999 Wes has offered unique interactive, educational music media through his company, Music And Games 4 U (www.MusicAndGames4U.com).
From 2005-2014 Wes served as Vice-President and then President of the Maryland/Delaware Percussive Arts Society Chapter (www.PAS.org) where he organized and managed their annual Day of Percussion event.
Wes has an Artist Endorsement relationship with Baltimore Drum Company (www.BaltimoreDrum.com), Dream Cymbals (www.DreamCymbals.com), and ProLogix Percussion (www.ProLogixPercussion.com) and is a member of the Vic Firth Educational Team (www.VicFirth.com).