Hand Drum Lessons & Notation for Djembes, Dununs & Bells

Author Archives: Nowick Gray

Prices Slashed!

Prices Slashed!

With the launch of the latest in the Roots Jam series–Roots Jam 4: World Beats – Rhythms Wild!–prices for all the Roots Jam books and audio have been slashed. Save up to 80% off previous prices! New combo deals and discount bundles! New book formats and audio offerings! Order a la carte or in combos,… Continue Reading

New Release: Roots Jam 4

New Release: Roots Jam 4

I’m excited to announce the latest edition of the Roots Jam rhythm books series, Roots Jam 4: World Beats – Rhythms Wild! The book compiles fruits of my learning and playing experiences over the last dozen years, since the 2007 release of Roots Jam 3. These latest adventures in hand drumming bring you rhythms from… Continue Reading

“No Cover Tunes!”

“No Cover Tunes!”

–an excerpt from Roots Jam 4: World Beats For the last half dozen years I have played congas and percussion for a jam band known as Aquarius Victoria. Though we don’t perform live, we record everything on a high-end system and mix down a small portion of the weekly jams for public release on Reverbnation… Continue Reading

Samba du Soleil

Samba du Soleil

Samba du Soleil, based on Salt Spring Island, BC, has been playing Brazilian batucada music–arranged by Sam Miller and inspired from Brazilian master Celso Machado–for almost twenty years now. Personnel changes and musical variations continue, but the band plays on with ever zestful flavors of Carnival. The Samba du Soleil set list is featured in… Continue Reading

Musical Sound Awareness

Musical Sound Awareness

(an excerpt from a forthcoming memoir by Nowick Gray, My Generation) In the winter term (1971) I explored an intriguing new avenue of expression, one also well suited to the temper of the time. Musical Sound Awareness was taught by a black jazz musician, Robert Northern, who on the first day said to the class,… Continue Reading

The Groove Zone

The Groove Zone

fast tends to blur toward still flight gives way to small slow steps   in between, the Groove Zone renowned for hot dancing   build your vision up from there if you dare   come dance with me   in the garden of my desire you are the fuel to feed my fire Continue Reading