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Print (or Kindle) format: Order links go to Amazon.
>> Go to the Roots Jam Series page on Amazon. <<
Print – handy practice reference, photocopy pages, mark notes. Amazon shipping charges may apply.
Ebook – formatted from PDF for Kindle e-reader.
PDFs and MP3: Order links go to PayPal shopping cart, for secure payment by credit card. (Any personal information collected will not be used by any third party or for any other purpose.)
PDF – View on computer or mobile device. Save paper, search, print selected rhythms.
MP3s – Listen for correct sound and timing; play-along practice; loop, remix, or dance!
Please see combo bundles for extra savings, before ordering single items.
Roots Jam 1: Collected Rhythms for Hand Drum and Percussion
The first book in the series, starting the journey of learning African hand drum rhythms in a systematic way, and sharing what I learn with others. Hundreds of rhythms from the African, Latin and rock traditions, along with inspired improvisations are arranged to enhance understanding of feel and polyrhythm. Easy notation, useful for all levels, from beginners to performers. Includes lesson guide, arrangements, popular styles, practice exercises, and a list of other resources. Fully indexed, 80 pages.
Order now from Amazon: Print $11.99, Kindle 1.99
Order now via PayPal: PDF 1.99
Roots Jam 2: West African and Afro-Latin Drum Rhythms
(2002; 85 p.)
- over 125 traditional African, Afro-Latin, and Middle Eastern rhythms
- comprehensive collection of parts to choose from
- simple box notation based on Olatunji “gun-go-pa” method
- practice exercises and generic patterns for djembe, dunun, bell/clave
- guidance on pulse and polyrhythm, tradition and improvisation, time signatures and handing, intentions and excellence, new directions
- optional short demo clips, 28 MP3s
- combo option (PDF & MP3s) includes free bonus chapter
Order now from Amazon: Print $12.99, Kindle 2.99
Order now via PayPal:
PDF 2.99 MP3s 6.99 combo 7.99 Bean Taco Bundle: Roots Jam 1 & 2 combos with MP3s: 7.99
Roots Jam 3: Arrangements for West African Drum & Dance
(2007; 64 p.)
selected arrangements for 16 dance rhythms- notation for 27 original compositions
- all new workshop lessons & features
- lead djembe solo tips & exercises
- two optional CD-length audio bundles (16 traditional arrangements + 27 original compositions).
Order now from Amazon: Print 13.99, Kindle 3.99
Order now via PayPal:
PDF 3.99 two sets MP3s 9.99 combo 11.99
Roots Jam 4: World Beats – Rhythms Wild
A deep dive into African drumming styles from around the world. Simple notation for djembe, dunun, conga, tabla and batucada parts from Guinea, Mali, Cuba, Brazil, Belize, India. Tribal beats for hip hop and DJ mixes, samba bands, kirtan, dance classes, or drum circles. Archetypal music patterns, polyrhythm, improvisation, and drum culture. Optional mini-LP, Black Moon Bay. Read more…
Order now from Amazon: Print 14.99, Kindle 4.99
Order now via PayPal:
PDF 4.99 Black Moon Bay 5.99 combo 7.99 Black Moon Bay (mini-LP): Six mp3 tracks composed in Percussion Studio for Roots Jam 4. Choice funky beats for your DJ remix or dance party!
Fish Taco Bundle: Roots Jam 3 & 4 combos with MP3s: 16.99. Free bonus: Friday Night Jam ebook (PDF).
DJ Salsa Bundle: Elephant Garden LP: best of Roots Jam 3 & 4 original beats, 9.99. Plus bonus mini-LP, My Jamaica (original indie reggae jams from Aquarius Victoria).
Roots Super Jam: Collected West African & Diaspora Drum Rhythms
(Roots Jam vols. 1, 2, 3)
Roots Jam 1, 2, & 3 together under one cover.
Order now from Amazon: Print 18.99, Kindle 7.99
Order now via PayPal:
PDF 7.99 three sets MP3s 14.99 PDF+MP3s combo: “Enchilada” 18.99 The Big Tamale Bundle: All four Roots Jam books (PDF), MP3s, and bonuses… 25.99
Big Tamale: The (Complete) Roots Jam Collection
A manual and guidebook of sheet music, lessons and exercises for hand drums and ethnic percussion. Thousands of rhythms notated from African, Afro-Latin, and other world beat traditions.
All four Roots Jam books plus Friday Night Jam.
Order now from Amazon: Print 25.99
For audio MP3s (three sets) see the link with Roots Super Jam above ($14.99).
Friday Night Jam: Sax, Hand Drums, Rock n Roll
An anecdotal, instructional how-to (and sometimes painful how-not-to) guide to group improvisation, based on the firsthand learning experiences of author and African drummer Nowick Gray in a weekly open jam in rural British Columbia, in the early 1990s.
Order now from Amazon: Print 4.99, Kindle (free)
PDF included as free bonus in Taco Salad, Fish Taco, and Big Tamale Bundles (see below)
Flutes Jam: A Guide to Improvisation
Have you ever wanted to improvise with your pennywhistle or bamboo flute and didn’t know where to start, or where to go from the instrument’s basic key?
Did you ever wonder how popular Western scales compared with more “exotic” scales with the flavor of music from Japan, India or the Middle East?
Learn how to improvise on flute or pennywhistle, for solo or group jams. Explore multicultural moods and modes, pentatonic and jazz scales.
Order now from Amazon: Print $14.99 – Kindle-PDF 7.99
Direct Downloads via PayPal order:
PDF 7.99 Taco Salad Bundle 11.99 (save $5)
(Flutes Jam, Roots Jam 2 & 4, Friday Night Jam PDFs
Latest Release – Best of Roots Jam: African & World Drum Rhythms
Now collected under one cover, the best drumming reference compiled from over thirty years of study, practice, teaching and performance. Selected dunun and djembe rhythms for West African drumming and dance, Afro-Latin percussion and drum sheet music, and world drumming styles from India and the Middle East. Transcribed into easy-to-read visual grid notation.
The most popular rhythms and core lessons from the four previous volumes of Roots Jam drumming books, all under one cover (101 pages) for easy reference in solo or group practice.
Order now from Amazon: Print 19.99, Kindle 9.99
Order now via PayPal:
PDF 9.99 audio set of 19 practice MP3s: 8.95 combo 15.99
Compare Prices — Save $ with Combos and Bundles
| (Order from links above) | MP3s | PDF/MP3 combo | ||
| Roots Jam 1 | 11.99 | 1.99 | — | — |
| Roots Jam 2 | 12.99 | 2.99 | 6.99 | 7.99 |
| Roots Jam 3 | 13.99 | 3.99 | 9.99 | 11.99 |
| Roots Jam 4 | 14.99 | 4.99 | 5.99 | 7.99 |
| Roots Super Jam (1, 2, 3) | 18.99 | 7.99 | 14.99 | 18.99 |
| Big Tamale (RJ 1-4, FNJ) | 25.99 | — | — | — |
More Combo Bundles
(PDFs & MP3s, plus bonus content)
| bean taco | RJ 1 & 2 | 7.99 | + bonus chapter |
| fish taco | RJ 3 & 4 | 16.99 | + Friday Night Jam |
| enchilada | RJ 1, 2 & 3 | 18.99 | + bonus chapter |
| salsa | best of RJ 3/4 MP3s | 9.99 | + My Jamaica mini-LP |
| tamale | RJ 1, 2, 3 & 4 | 25.99 | + all bonuses |
| taco salad | RJ 2 & 4, Flutes Jam | 11.99 | + Friday Night Jam |
Please recommend this site to others who may benefit from these resources.
