Hi! It's El Negro! I am home for now... and leave tomorrow to play with The John Patitucci Quartet. (John played on my video.) We are going to London, Madrid, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, and Portugal... promoting John's new record "Imprints". It's an amazing record! Me and Giovanni Hidalgo play together on half... and the great Jack DeJohnette is on the other half. Check it out!

My last tour was 3 days with Michel Camilo in Panama... what a beautiful country! I was then home for 1 week... played a few intown gigs. Robby Ameen and I had a great time, playing together for 2 nights at The Knitting Factory with Deep Rumba. And now I am writing this letter to you on a break during the cd release party at Chicago Blues for our Blues Band (Larry Baeder on guitar, Charlie Torres on bass, and 2nd drummer Richie Crooks!) (By the way... Charlie Torres just finished a tour with Buddy Miles where he played with 8 different drummers! He has promised to tell us all about it next time!)

Break's over! Gotta go play!

Til next time,
El Negro & "the spirit of Pam"

DrumsOnTheWeb.com website new stuff this month...

There's LOTS of fun stuff going on! Great festivals, clinics, and shows coming up...

PASIC (PAS Convention), featuring Fabulous Leopards Percussionists, Jonathan Haas, Evelyn Glennie and many more

Womex '99 (Music of Brazil); 5th annual PA Vintage Drum Show & Sale; Arthur Hull's Boston Facilitator Playshop; Dighton Council Oak Tree Ceremony & Pot Luck; 9th Annual Indoor Powwow...

Concert dates for Evelyn Glennie, Joel Rosenblatt, Talujon Percussion Quartet...

Get all the details on these and LOTS more in the Upcoming Shows & Clinics page!

On-going Drum Circles have been updated... If we've missed yours, just email the details.

On-line now... LOTS of new photos!!

Tell us what you want to see... and get FREE pair of Drumsticks with your next order! Just fill out the on-line survey. The On-line Drum Shop has new products and photos... more added regularly, so bookmark and check back often!

And be sure to check the Internet Specials & Blowouts... cymbals, drumkits and more at more than 50% off list! Just added... More Great Deals on Toca congas, bongos, timbales, and more!

Volume 3 Issue 10 Oct 1999
©All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to the
August '99 Email Newsletter

ok... this is not a newsletter at all this month! Sorry!! Negro's having a blast at Berklee World Percussion Festival (stories from Berklee and KOSA coming!) and I am just back from "A Day In The Garden" (the REAL Woodstock! photos coming soon!) and heading out tonite to our warehouse in Atlanta!

But I do want to let you know about the DrumsOnTheWeb.com website new stuff this month...

Join the new on-line discussion list from DrumsOnTheWeb.com... This is a fun discussion list for YOU! Talk about drums, percussion, whatever... have fun!

This month's centerfold interview... Steven Scott Fyfe talks with Gary Novak!

A new lesson from DOTW viewer David Troen-Krasnow on "floor cowbell".

There's LOTS of fun stuff going on! Great festivals, clinics, and shows coming up...
Gordy Ryan "Meditation, the Drum & Ecstatic Ritual" in British Columbia; Benefit for the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (featured artists include Cenen, La Bruja (@ her one Womyn show), Mariposa (featuring Ricanstruction percussoinist Joseph Rodriguez), Bonafide, Tania Robles, Sandra Garcia-Rivera, @ a very special performance by Ricanstruction) in New York; Four Winds Intertribal: 2nd Annual Powwow in Bristol, RI; Full Moon Drum Circles 1999 in Sacramento, CA; Burning Man '99 in Gerlach, NV...

Concert dates for Jon Mattox w/ Young Dubliners, Mark Shulman w/ Cher, Joel Rosenblatt w/ Spyro Gyra, Bermuda Schwartz w/ Wierd Al, Walfredo Reyes, Jr w/ Steve Winwood, Julio Figueroa w/ Alessa, Peter Basil w/ Bobby Previte's "Horse"...

Get all the details on these and LOTS more in the Artist News, Upcoming Shows & Clinics page!

On-going Drum Circles have been updated... If I've missed yours, just email the details.

Tell us what you want to see... and get FREE pair of Drumsticks with your next order! Just fill out the on-line survey. The On-line Drum Shop has new products and photos... more added regularly, so bookmark and check back often! And be sure to check the Internet Specials & Blowouts... cymbals, drumkits and more at more than 50% off list!

Not ready to order on-line? We have a new 800-number for orders! 1-800-USA-DRUM Be sure to check out the new "Warehouse Tour!" See 6000+ square feet of drums and percussion... ready to ship directly to your door!

News from DrumsOnTheWeb.com VIP websites...

www.WalfredoReyesJr.com He just finished playing percussion on 2 movies & is recording w/ Juan Gabriel & Jose Jose (w/ Alex Acuna on percussion; John Pena, bass; Alan Pasqua, keyboards; & orchestra). Wally's taking his studio on the road... new laptop & Cubase software. He's been composing like crazy... songs in Spanish & English for various artists. He and Larry Cohn have started a "Wacky Wally World Latin Drum & Bass" project... sound bytes coming soon! And, of course, his upcoming tours with Steve Winwood and Joe Sample. Be sure to check out the Steve Winwood tour... Steve is recording & filming the tour!

www.GreggGerson.com just finished producing (and writing most of) Sheelah-Na-Gig's two new singles...

www.ElNegro.com Manyana, manyana!

www.In-Gotham.com New York Indy label, owned and operated by artists! Greg Garing's Alphabet City Opry, Greg Garing's other projects, and the infamous Sheriff Uncle Bob!

www.TomTeasley.com New site! Tom is busy getting ready for his upcoming performance at the October '99 PASIC in OH. Be sure to check out his feature article in the October, '99 Modern Drummer magazine!

www.FreeAssociationRecords.com Coming soon... Dave Abbruzzese's new site!

www.UJCinc.com Coming soon! Check out this great nonprofit organization for the New York Jazz community!

Til next time,
"the spirit of El Negro" & "the spirit of Pam" :-)

Volume 3 Issue 8 Aug 1999
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Welcome to the
June '99 Email Newsletter

Hi! It's me El Negro! (no "The Spirit of" this month) I am home! I wanted to tell you about a great party Tito Puente's Birthday Party. 75 years old (they said). The party was at Jimmy's Bronx Café and was a huge party with 400+ people! My present to Tito was a box of Cuban Cigars (Cohibas) that we shared. We also shared the cigars with Bill Cosby, who said a few jokes and introduced the music, too. There were so many people there Tito's band many drummers and timbale players and we all jammed for Tito! Johnny Almendra, Ralph Irizzary, Bobby Sanabria, Endel Bueno, Lionel Hampton, Dave Valentin...

The festival and concert at the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory was great fun, too – big spanish-speaking crowd! Walfredo Reyes Jr, Giovanni Hidalgo, Richie Garcia, Anthony Carrillo was great that everybody spoke Spanish (except Rick Latham who is still working on his Spanish chops!) It was a beautiful party of latin rhythms was so much fun, I missed playing there the next day!

Then I went to Germany with Kip Hanraham. I shared drums with Robby Ameen (double drums). Be sure to check out Kip's new album, Big Rumba!

I came home for 1 day (to drop off my suitcase of dirty clothes and pick up one with clean clothes! and go to the Modern Drummer Festival party!) and then back to Germany, Austria & Norway for a jazz festival w/ Joanne Brackeen & Greg Osby.

Then off to Los Angeles for my trimesteral lesson at PIT

Now I must go practice my drums!
Til next time,
El Negro & "the spirit of Pam" :-)

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(a note from John - DW Drums)

Hello to all, I'm sending this e-mail to make you you aware that we nearly lost a drumming brother recently. Peter Soter, long time drum shop employee at Alpha Music in Virginia Beach was recently hospitalized after the motorcycle he was riding was struck by a car. I don't know the exact extent of all of his injuries, but both wrists were quite badly broken, and his larynx was crushed. Doctors say he was nearly decapitated, and that he may eventually speak with the aid of a voice box. Because he was a part-time employee, he had no medical insurance...

On a personal note, please forward this e-mail to any artists or other industry persons that you feel would take the time to write Peter a card or letter to help him get through this very difficult time. He is a great guy, and I'm sure would appreciate getting mail / pictures / videos / etc. from any of his drumming heros. The store will gladly forward all correspondence to Peter at the following address: Peter Soter c/o Alpha Music 3234 Va. Beach Blvd. #103 Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Thanks to all for taking the time to read this, and for anything you can do. Best regards, John Van Ness

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DrumsOnTheWeb.com website new stuff this month...

There's LOTS of fun stuff going on! Great festivals, clinics, and shows coming up...

New York's Puerto Rican Day Parade, Maui Rhythm Village Retreat w/ Paulo Mattioli, VH1 Save The Music Week, Jembe & Dance Institute 1999, Arthur Hull Rhythmical Alchemy Playshop, 10th Earth Drum Council weekend, Unity With A Beat Retreat, Attempt world's largest Drum Circle at The Sshh Festival, Contemporary Cuban Percussion & Dance Workshop in Havana, Cuba, 16th annual Manhattan School of Music Jazz Workshop...

Latin Jazz Jam - Tito Puente, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, Hilton Ruiz, Charlie Sepulveda, Mario Rivera, Andy Gonzalez, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez & more, JVC Jazz Fest, Carnegie Hall

Ed Shaughnessy clinic, Skidmore College Jazz Institute

Concert dates for Mark Shulman w/ Cher, Joel Rosenblatt w/ Spyro Gyra, Steve Smith w/ Vital Information, Leon Mobley & Da Lion, Jon Mattox w/ Young Dubliners...

Get all the details on these and LOTS more in the Artist News, Upcoming Shows & Clinics page!

On-going Drum Circles have been updated... If I've missed yours, just email the details.

On-line now... Modern Drummer Festival '99 photos!! Marco Minnemann, Matt Chamberlain, Mike Mangini, Bill Bruford, Ignacio Berroa, Zach Danziger, Bernard Purdie, Steve Smith, and more! (Sound bytes from backstage coming very soon... a hacker got into our host server and destroyed everything! So, I am a little slow in getting the sound bytes up for this month, sorry! But the sound bytes are very cool... and will be there very soon! I promise!!)

Tell us what you want to see... and get FREE pair of Drumsticks with your next order! Just fill out the on-line survey. The On-line Drum Shop has new products and photos... more added regularly, so bookmark and check back often! And be sure to check the Internet Specials & Blowouts... cymbals, drumkits and more at more than 50% off list!

News from DrumsOnTheWeb.com VIP websites...

www.GiovanniHidalgo.com Manyana, manyana...

www.WalfredoReyesJr.com Walfredo's off to Japan with Joe Sample...

www.GreggGerson.com New photos and reviews!

www.ElNegro.com Need we say more?

www.In-Gotham.com New York Indy label, owned and operated by artists! Greg Garing's Alphabet City Opry, Greg Garing's other projects, and the infamous Sheriff Uncle Bob!

www.TomTeasley.com coming soon!

www.UJCinc.com Coming soon! Check out this great nonprofit organization for the New York Jazz community!

Volume 3 Issue 6 June 1999
©All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to the
April '99 Email Newsletter

The big news... my new laptop is here! And "Mac's Law" strikes again... load everything from the old system and immediate complete disk crash! Not to worry, though... all is back up and running GREAT now! Looking forward to hangin' out in Washington Square Park... just me, my drum and my laptop! hmmmmm... if I can just figure out how to hook into some phone lines on the beach...

DrumsOnTheWeb.com website new stuff this month...

There's LOTS of fun stuff going on! Great festivals, clinics, and shows coming up...

4/28-30 Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music's Fifth International Percussion Festival featuring Hip Pickles, Giovanni Hidalgo, Luis Conte, Modesto Cepeda and his Folkloric Ballet, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Anthony Carrillo, Rick Latham, Orlando Cotto, Horacio "EL Negro" Hernandez, Richie "Gajate" Garcia, Robert Van Sice, Victor Mendoza, Fred Wickstrom, John Seda, and many more local professional percussionists

4/30 10th Annual Athens Percussion Festival featuring Thom Hannum, Eric Hollenbeck &, Clint Gillispie and the Jax State percussion section, Greg Gumina, Jay Dyhouse

5/8 2nd Annual "It's All Drumming" African dance w/ Abdoulaye & Laurie Sylla, Frame drumming w/ Randy Crafton, Intro to African drumming & Drum Circle w/ Bob Bloom, Concert w/ Bob Bloom & 'Drum Ride' / Randy Crafton & Amy Platt / Abdoulaye Sylla & 'Onewae'

5/15-16 Modern Drummer Festival Weekend featuring Bill Bruford, Ian Paice, Mike Mangini, Matt Chamberlain, Marco Minneman, Vital Information (featuring Steve Smith-drums, Frank Gambale-guitar, Tom Coster-Hammond B3, Baron Browne-bass), Bernard Purdie, John Riley w/ The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Zach Danzinger, Ignacio Berroa & his band

5/17 Joel Rosenblatt Clinic, 6pm, Roberts Recital Auditorium, Roberts Hall, University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL

Get all the details on these and LOTS more in the Artist News, Upcoming Shows & Clinics page! On-going Drum Circles have been updated... If I've missed yours, just email the details.

Don't miss the newest Product Spotlight... read how Ron Nihoff used his Toca Superlight tambourine in his recent studio session... definitely NOT traditional! This month's interview... Steven Scott Fyfe talks with Alan White!

Tell us what you want to see... and get FREE pair of Drumsticks with your next order! Just fill out the on-line survey. The On-line Drum Shop has new products and photos... more added regularly, so bookmark and check back often! And be sure to check the Internet Specials & Blowouts... cymbals, drumkits and more at more than 50% off list!

News from DrumsOnTheWeb.com VIP websites...

www.GiovanniHidalgo.com Manyana, manyana...

www.WalfredoReyesJr.com This is one busy guy! He is now the Musical Director! Check out his new Itinerary updates and more. Coming soon... DrumTalk! Want to know what cymbals he used on your favorite album... or how he got that great sound? Walfredo will be answering your questions right on his website.

www.GreggGerson.com New photos and interviews!

www.ElNegro.com He's loose in Germany! With that cigar aficionado, Robby Ameen... Germany will never be the same! Coming soon, The Spirit of El Negro has promised us a behind the scenes look at Tito's birthday party...

www.UJCinc.com Coming soon! Check out this great nonprofit organization for the New York Jazz community!

www.In-Gotham.com Coming soon! New York Indy label, owned and operated by artists! Greg Garing's Alphabet City Opry, Greg Garing's other projects, and the infamous Sheriff Uncle Bob!

Til next time,
Pam & "the spirit of El Negro"

Volume 3 Issue 4 April 1999
©All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to the
March '99 Email Newsletter

It's finally Spring!! Get those djembes, congas, and djun djuns outside and make some noise! (For those of you who live in a state with only 2 seasons (too hot and/or rainy), you'll just have to use your imagination... and celebrate anyway!) There are TONS of great drum circles and festivals scheduled all around the world!

And for you kit players... there's lots going on, too! Michael Wolff JazzWorld Workshop, featuring Frank Colon (percussion) & Clarence Penn (drums); Pennsylvania PAS Percussion Ensemble Festival & Day of Percussion; NY City Day of Percussion; 2nd annual Day of Percussion, West Texas A & M Univ; Jefferson County, AL Day of Percussion; TN PAS Annual Tennessee Day of Percussion; 10th Annual Athens Percussion Festival; Fifth International Percussion Festival, Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music featuring Hip Pickles, Giovanni Hidalgo, Luis Conte, Modesto Cepeda and his Folkloric Ballet, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Anthony Carrillo, Rick Latham, Orlando Cotto, Horacio "EL Negro" Hernandez, Robert Van Sice, Victor Mendoza, Fred Wickstrom, John Seda, and many more local professional percussionists...

Check out the Artist News, Upcoming Shows & Clinics & Drum Circles pages on the website for more info.

Heard an amazing show recently... Richie Hayward (one of my favorite groove guys!), T Lavitz, Kenny Gradney, Vassar Clements & Catfish Hodge! (um, er... forgot the name of the band!! SORRY!!!) But these guys actually had a whole room full of "been there, seen it, done it" New Yorkers on their feet, dancing and singing along. What a sight!

We just sent a HUGE box of new toys to Dave Abbruzzese... Harmony Rattle, Clam Shell, Berimbanger, Tributary... basically one of everything from Epiphany Percussion! Dave has been really busy lately, playing and producing... we'll keep you posted on where these new sounds end up!

DrumsOnTheWeb.com website new stuff this month...

the On-line Drum Shop has Sabian and Zildjian cymbals at 45% off list! New photos to the Sabian page... Zildjian photos coming next. More product updates and photos added almost daily, so bookmark and check back often! This month's interview... Steven Scott Fyfe talks with Joey Kramer! And be sure to check the Internet Specials & Blowouts... cymbals, drumkits and more at more than 50% off list!

(btw... Thanks for all the wonderful feedback on the new internal search engine! With close to 200 pages on the site, it definitely makes it easier to find just what you want!)

News from DrumsOnTheWeb.com VIP websites...

www.GiovanniHidalgo.com Manyana, manyana...

www.WalfredoReyesJr.com Itinerary updates and more!

www.GreggGerson.com New photos and interviews!

www.ElNegro.com More new stuff coming soon! He's on the road again, making his musical statements... and we'll hear all about them next time!

www.UJCinc.com Coming soon! Check out this great nonprofit organization for the New York Jazz community!

Til next time,
Pam & "the spirit of El Negro"

ps... Big congrats to The Gore family drummer, Katie Gore, who just debuted at Carnegie Hall with her High School Marching Band. (Katie... I want photos and a story for the website!)

pps... Want to know more about how YOU can become a part of the DrumsOnTheWeb.com VIP web family? Email (Conundrum@aol.com) or call 212-254-1133... we'll design and host a website just for you!

Volume 3 Issue 3 March 1999
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Welcome to the
February '99 Email Newsletter

Yup! It's that time again! Another long, rambling newsletter from... ME! Just home from another NAMM show in LA (another "industry family reunion". Always great to see all of your "best friends whom you see 3 times a year") And, of course, LOTS of new drum and percussion stuff! Over the next few days (ok... week) I will be updating the website with all the cool new stuff from the show! New cymbals from Sabian and Zildjian... LOTS of new stuff from Remo... new stuff from Pete Engelhart... hey, it's NAMM... there's new stuff from EVERYBODY!

(Be sure to check out the Internet Specials and Blowouts page... amazing deals on cymbals, drumkits and more! You get a great deal on some great product... and we get to make room for all the new stuff!)

New to the website so far this month... NAMM mug shots! Peter Erskine, Dave Abbruzzese, Smitty Smith, Kenny Aronoff, Giovanni Hidalgo, Walfredo Reyes, Jr, ... oh, just go to the website's photo gallery! There's too many to mention them all!

Also, new to the Drummers Centerfold area... Drummer to Drummer Interviews by Steven Scott Fyfe. This month, he talks with Ian Paice. Over the next couple months, look for more interviews with Joey Kramer and Alan White.

There's new updates on the Artist News, Upcoming Shows & Clinics section. (Note to you "name-artists"... be sure to email your upcoming show & clinic info to conundrum@aol.com!) And the Drum Circle info list is always growing! If you have any info on local Drum Circles, just email to DrumsOnTheWeb@aol.com... it's free to list your circles!

And... we've added an internal search engine! The website is around 150 pages... so now you can easily find exactly what you are looking for! Let me know what you think!

News from DrumsOnTheWeb.com VIP websites...

coming next week... www.GiovanniHidalgo.com!

www.WalfredoReyesJr.com New photos in the Photo Gallery! And more coming soon! Wally is lounging around the house, having his breakfast served in bed... actually, he is drinking lots of oj... fighting off a bad case of the flu! We wish you the best... get well soon... and email your updates!

www.GreggGerson.com New photos from his recent British Rock Symphony Tour in Australia, some VERY cool old shots, NAMM photos and more!

www.ElNegro.com It's finally up! Negro's brother, in Spain, is webmaster of this great site. Check it out to see what El Negro has been up to. This guy really racks up those frequent flyer miles! And... I've been on the phone all day with Negro... setting up HIS computer! Let's see how that awesome independance works with his "two-finger typing"! Heheheeee

Til next time,

Pam & "the spirit of El Negro"

ps... An Open letter from drumtech Paul Davies
(Thanks Paul! Glad to pass your message along!)

I am just about to finish a one year tour working with Lil' John and Terry Santiel on the Janet Jackson tour. Through the tour I have enjoyed reading your emails and I know also that so has Terry. As the tour is coming to an end I would like to thank the two of them through your email letters for their professionalism and making it so easy to work both with them and for them.

Thank You

Paul Davies

pps... An email from "The Messenger for The Spirit of El Negro"

Hi Everybody! While my spirit is with all of you, my body is out collecting those miles for both of us! I missed NAMM this year!!

Finally, I got a computer! But to be able to get in touch with you... I need a laptop!

After my first few hours on "the net", I believe the content of the documents are fun and are really what they say. We have to work toward the future as one solid force constructing new generations and educating them in a peaceful fundraising atmosphere...

Desperate Drum Diggers Digital Dreamers Fund
(aka "I Need A Laptop!")

And as "president" I promise and swear once a month I will light a Cuban cigar and will check the revenues from our fund. All the other times, I am going to be trying to play the drums.

I can't talk to you... but I can hear the drums! Keep doin' it!

Love, Hi (the messenger for The Spirit of El Negro)

Volume 3 Issue 2 February 1999
©All Rights Reserved