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Robin DiMaggio Planet Groove
By Jonathan Weichsel
Percussionist Robin DiMaggio has played live and recorded with such a diverse group of musicians throughout the course of his career that it boggles the mind. Peruse his resume and you will find such names as Paul Simon, Tupac Shakur, sitar legend Ravi Shanker, Johnny Cash, Steve Vai, David Bowie, Diana Ross, and Mariah Carey.
In January of this year he released his instructional DVD, Planet Groove, in order to help aspiring drummers increase their range and diversify their style. The DVD is broken down into twenty-four lessons that cover basic styles such as rock and roll, as well as more exotic fair like Indian hip-hop. Robin's personal motto is, "If better is possible then good is not enough." Planet Groove is intended to help good drummers become better. Each demonstration is shot from multiple camera angles to help drummers watching get a good feel for Robin's technique. Lessons are given in both English and French.
Planet Groove is being distributed nationally through Hall Leonard at music retail outlets, and can be purchased online exclusively at http://www.musicdispatch.com.
Robin DiMaggio also has two solo albums out. Blue Planet is a musical tribute to his world travels, and Sphere is a collection of piano solos. He was recently named musical director for The United Nations Millennium Development Goals Award at The United Nations in New York. The Goal of the event is to 'fight world poverty, disease, and pursue global development while bringing awareness to the masses.'
Valley Scene recently got a chance to sit down and talk with Robin DiMaggio.
VS- How long have you been playing?
Robin- I have been playing since I was two and a half. I first played at Carnegie Hall when I was five.
VS- What does playing drums mean to you?
Robin- For me, playing has always been about challenging myself to go further. For a medium to advance, people need to keep on trying new things. I have always been about trying new things.
VS- What was the motivation behind Planet Groove?
Robin- When I am on tour, I like to set up with a local store, get two-hundred or three-hundred people to show up, and do a demonstration. After-wards, I give out backstage passes to motivate people that if they do things right, good things will happen. It's about motivation.
Sometimes when I am on tour, I let kids come in and help out, and then at the end of the day I'll show them what they want to see. But it's not about copying. To me, I prefer sitting and saying, "Don't copy what this person does. Watch, learn, sponge, and then create what you want to create." I did Planet Groove because I am not a teacher. A teacher is more amazing than a drummer. I did not do the DVD to teach. I did it to demonstrate some of the styles that a lot of people over the last twenty-two years have wanted to see.
VS- Who are some of your favorite drummers?
Robin- I have a lot of favorite drummers, because each one does his own thing.
VS- Tell me a bit about the United Nations gig.
Robin- I'm musical director. I am always looking for something different. I really want to create and see something different. It's about always finding a challenge.
VS- You are Valley based. Could you say a few words about what the Valley means to you?
Robin- I grew up in the Valley. My drum teacher, Joe Porcaro, was Valley based. When I was young, in the 1980's, I was in love with that there was no traffic. And yeah, you weren't cool if you lived in the Valley, but there was a group of guys here with more mojo than anyone in Hollywood, or Beverly Hills, or LA.
Boomkat at the Plush Lounge
By Jonathan Weichsel
Boomkat threw a candy and stars themed party at the Plush Lounge on the Sunset Strip to promote the release of their new CD, A million Trillion Stars. The band's infectious pop licks are the ultimate melding of high fashion and trash. This is music for drunk prom queens, classy tabloid stars, angst ridden teenagers who dream about becoming fashion models, and jaded fashion models who wish they could be little girls again.
The candy and stars theme of the party was appropriate, because Boomkat's music is like a cosmic sugar rush. In fact, it is probably best enjoyed with a sugar high. After I-don't-know how many energy drinks, cupcakes, and assorted candies I found myself at the front of the stage bopping around with everyone else, and the stars hanging from the ceiling were glistening in my eyes as if I were in the middle of some tripped out space escapade.
The core of Boomkat is comprised of the brother and sister team Kellin and Taryn Manning. Vocalist Taryn Manning is an energetic, kinetic performer. She took the stage Monday evening in a slinky black dress that barely reached her thighs, a diamond tiara, glam rock makeup, and black boots with the highest heels you have ever seen. She danced, stomped, and jumped her way through a set which featured vocals that alternated between melodic, poppy flights, down and dirty rap, and good old fashioned rock and roll shouting.
Kellin Manning on keys gives the music its beat. While Taryn brings glamour to the band, Kellin's look is more down to earth. If he took the stage dressed like a hipster slacker, perhaps it's because that's what he is. Kellin likes to brag that he learned how to make music by playing the Playstation game MTV Music Generator during a prolonged period of unemployment. If this is true, then the game taught him well. Kellin is able to pull a wide range of beats from his keys, from rock, to pop, to hip-hop. All of these styles swirl together to form the foundation of the crazy, kinetic, hyperactive sound that is Boomkat.
Boomkat's sound might be all about fun, but that does not mean it isn't serious music. The grooves between the beats are filled out with such divers emotions as anger, confusion, and fear, all expressed with an overt sexuality and dramatic poise. This is music that is both gritty and polished, that has both style and substance, and which will move people's feet even as it pulls at their hearts.
It should also be noted that the video for Boomkat's newest single, Run Boy, is a masterpiece of pop art. The video deals with a group of preps who are brought into an underground club to watch Boomkat perform live. The other club goers are all crazy hipsters, and the preps gradually get into the music and the free-wheeling feel of the scene. The video has great style, and features an amazing wardrobe full of fantasy hipster glam.
If you would like to learn more about Boomkat, including upcoming shows, visit their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/tarynmanningboomkat. Boomkat's newest CD, A Million Trillion Stars, is out now on Little Vanilla Records. Valley Scene got a chance to sit down and speak with Taryn Manning after the show.
VS: You and your brother work very closely together. What is it like working with family?
Taryn: It's the best!
VS: What are some of your musical influences?
Taryn: I'm all about the eighties. Something about the era speaks to me.
VS: Why candy and stars?
Taryn: The whole stars and rainbows and unicorns thing is about good times. We're suffering from economic depression. I'm trying to be more celebratory, and get people out of feeling sad and put a smile on their faces.
Charlie O's Jazz Club is All About The Music
By Debra Graff
With its East Coast vibe, down to earth ambience, and intimate setting, Charlie O's Jazz Club in Valley Glen is the best place in town to hear live jazz seven nights a week from 8pm-12M. It's a musician's hangout and on any given night, you are sure to find world renowned musicians just chilling at the bar or sitting in as guest performers. For instance, pianist, Bill Cunliffe, saxophonist, Bob Sheppard, and trumpet player, Carl Saunders, (surprising everyone by playing the drums), sat in with amazing vocalist, Denise Donatelli. Donatelli performed her three sets with such a smooth confidence and versatility that each of the musicians seemed eager to join her. The audience, filled with appreciative fans, was completely enthralled and several even got up to dance at their tables. The silky singer closed the night with her uplifting rendition of Joni Mitchell's 'Be Cool' from her new CD "What Lies Within."
Charlie O's has been voted one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world every year since 2001, by Downbeat Magazine. Bassist, John Heard, who has played for Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie, was one of the original performers when Charlie O's first opened in 2000. He still plays with his John Heard Trio on most weekends, accompanying such legends as Charles Owens, Ernie Watts, and Plas Johnson. Heard said that Charlie O's is "the only joint in town where music is the top priority. It's a place where you come to listen to the music. This was all Charlie's concept. He wanted this to be a real jazz joint. That's why we all had such love for him." Charlie O passed away last November, but his wife, Jo-Ann hasn't closed the place once since and continues to carry on her husband's legacy and passion for jazz. "It was his dream and his heart and soul."
Roy McCurdy, who plays drums for Heard's Trio, has been a regular at Charlie O's for 8 years. McCurdy said that Charlie O's is unique because you can "play whatever you want and no one is telling you to quiet down." Pianist, Lanny Hartley, who played with The Trio Saturday night, said, "We come here to have some fun and hang out." Guest performer, Red Holloway, played his soulful sax, and said the best thing about Charlie O's is "you never know who is going to show up here." Sure enough, Holloway invited classy singer, Janis Mann, to join him on two charming renditions of the jazz standards, "The Nearness of You," and "I've Got the World on a String."
Azar Lawrence, a Coltranesque sax player, played with the Henry Franklin quartet. He said," We enjoy playing here because it's kind of family and they like pure, real jazz. It's the only club of this nature." Pianist Theo Saunders, who seemed to play all 88 keys at once, agreed, "it's the only club that allows the musicians to play."
Charlie O's is one of the few places in the valley where you can get a full meal until 11:30pm during the week and 12 midnight on the weekends. The food is served with the same warmth and care that Charlie and Jo-Ann show for their love of jazz. The club serves everything from a large selection of scrumptious steaks and salads to black angus burgers, barbecue ribs, and lobster tails. The musicians all rave about the baked salmon. Appetizers include steamed clams a la Charlie, chicken wings, sautéed mushrooms, potato skins, and shrimp cocktail. The prices are reasonable and with no cover charge, except on Mondays when the big bands play, you won't feel as if you've had to break the bank for a perfect night out of dining and incredible music.
Bottom line, Charlie O's is all about the music and the atmosphere. Clint Eastwood was right when he said, "it's like listening to great jazz in your living room."
Charlie O's Jazz Bar and Grill
13725 Victory Blvd
Valley Glen, CA
(818) 994-3058
http://www.charlieos.com