The
Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) will take place in Columbus, Ohio from October 31
st – November 3
rd, 2007. For the fifth time in the event’s history, Columbus will play host to more than 6,000 drummers and percussionists from around the world at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
PASIC is the world’s largest and most prestigious drum and percussion gathering that features more than 115 events on 13 stages with the leading artists in the percussion community. The convention also includes an International Drum & Percussion Expo and an indoor Marching Percussion Festival.
The PASIC International Drum & Percussion Expo is the premier drum and percussion expo of the year featuring over 115 companies showcasing the latest instruments, music and accessories. Jeff Hartsough, Director of Event Production and Marketing states, "I am very excited about the growth of the International Drum & Percussion Expo at PASIC this year. It will be the largest ever, in number of booths and square footage. No doubt there will be plenty for all of the attendees to experience.”
PASIC events span a variety of areas including drumset, symphonic, marching, world and keyboard percussion and are lead by internationally acclaimed artists. Wednesday evening’s showcase concert will feature prominent timpanists David Herbert, Jonathan Haas and Douglas Howard performing concertos by William Kraft and Philip Glass. Other evening concerts will include performances by jazz steel pan pioneer Andy Narell and Group (Luis Conte, Jimmy Branly, Dario Eskenazi and Gregory Jones), keyboard virtuosos Emmanuel Sejourne and Anne-Julie Caron, Korean drumming ensemble Chung Ang Percussion Group and the Brazilian ensemble Trio Manari with special guest Naná Vasconcelos.
Drumset artists include Dave Weckl (Chick Corea, Dave Weckl Band), JJ Johnson (John Mayer), Omar Hakim (Sting, Weather Report), Lewis Nash (Branford Marsalis, Tommy Flanagan Trio), Walfredo Reyes Jr. (Carlos Santana, Steve Winwood), Brann Dailor (Mastodon), Peter Erskine with Alex Acuña and many more. A special panel discussion on Friday afternoon titled “Drummers of Weather Report” will include past Weather Report drummers Ndugu Chanceler, Peter Erskine, Alex Acuña, Omar Hakim and Chester Thompson.
Marching percussion enthusiasts will be treated to clinics with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and the United States Army’s Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. Symphonic presenters include Tim Genis (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Nick Woud (Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam) and Alan Abel (Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra). Keyboard artists include Stefon Harris, Kevin Bobo and Mika Yoshida. World music highlights include sessions with Giovanni Hidalgo, Ganesh Kumar and Subash Chandran, Amrit Nataraj and Geraldo De Oliveira. Additional confirmed artists can be found at
www.pasic.org.
The Percussive Arts Society will induct three new members to its Hall of Fame, the highest honor that the society gives to those that have had a profound impact in the percussion world. Warren “Baby” Dodds, Anthony Cirone and Steve Reich will be inducted on Friday, November 2
nd.
The annual PASIC Marching Percussion Festival will take place on November 1 and 2. The festival features a competition of high school and collegiate drum lines and solo performers vying for top honors in this nationally recognized contest. A special exhibition performance by the United States Army’s Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is also planned. Interested participants need to register by September 14, 2007.
Dave Holland, founder of Beatin' Path Arts, will lead a Drum Circle Facilitation Workshop following the convention on Sunday, November 4 from noon to 5pm. The workshop will focus on techniques for beginning, intermediate and advanced drum circle facilitators. Interested participants can register in advance through the Percussive Arts Society website or sign-up on-site.
PASIC registration, updates, and information are available online at
www.pasic.org.
About PASThe Percussive Arts Society was established in 1961 as a non-profit music service organization. Its mission is to promote percussion education, research, performance and appreciation throughout the world. PAS is the world’s largest percussion organization with more than 7,000 members representing over 50 countries and serves as the central source for information and networking for drummers and percussionists of all ages.
For more information about the Percussive Arts Society or PASIC, visit its web site at
www.pas.org or call (317) 974-4488.
