Summer Rhythm Renewal Videos...

Here are some wonderful highlights from last year's Summer Rhythm Renewal...

What is the Summer Rhythm Renewal?



Making noise at Summer Rhythm Renewal 09









Here are several galleries of photos for you to enjoy...

Persian Trance : Drum Solo by Jim Donovan

This piece is was inspired by music for the Persian drum called a Daf...
The "trance" part of the title refers to using the repetitious nature of the rhythm to enter into an altered state of consciousness. On good days this happens for me. This vid was one of the good days..

Jim Donovan (Rusted Root) Persian Trance Drum Solo

Mantras, Good Summer Reads, and My Afro-Mullet..... July 2010

When I was a kid I always wished I could be surrounded by drums...
All Good 2010 :: (Photo by Scott Swimmer)

I hope your summer is giving you some well deserved rejuvenation. I've been having a good time with the family, seeing many of my friends this summer, doing some drumming, playing music and just kicking back a bit. I recently re-discovered my passion for songwriting and have begun preproduction on a new CD of material... the disc will be called "The Sunshine" so far I've got about 10 or so songs in the works. Engaging in creativity feels SO good... I'll keep you posted on the progress and when I have some of it finished I'll be sure to give you a preview before it's released...

Other good news:
1. This week I'll be Western NY teaching and performing with Drum the Ecstatic in Sherman, NY. View the full schedule here...

 
2. Check out the new Podcast page on my site. The new uploads include interviews about Santana as well as a piece called the Ella story. I hope you like them!

 
3. Spots for  The 2010 Great Rhythm Revival on Labor Day weekend are selling briskly, you may want to register soon if you'd like a spot...

4. Here are a few books I've been enjoying this summer... Reading is fundamental...

5. I had the pleasure of jamming with my old pals from Rusted Root a few weeks ago... Here are some Vintage videos of us back in the day...You'll likley enjoy my afro-mullet.. Laugh at me here..

See you there,
Jim

The Summer of DRUM continues here.
Tue. July 20, 2010 :: Sherman, NY :: Yoga of Drum and Chant Workshop (special morning workshop)

Th/Fri July 22/23, 2010  Sherman, NY :: Brushwood Summer Fest :: Workshops and Concert

Tue/Wed July 27/28, 2010 :: Loretto, PA :: The Rhythm of Life Design Intensive (Nearly full)

July 29-Aug 1, 2010 :: Loretto, PA :: The 2010 Summer Rhythm Renewal :: SOLD OUT

Fri/Sat/Sun Sept 3-5, 2010 :: Sherman, NY :: The 2010 Great Rhythm Revival :: Drum/Dance/Personal Growth Retreat
 

Other Stuff

Get your Discount Drummer Bundle :: DVD and Learn-by-Ear Audio Tools here...

A few good books for you to check out...

For those of you interested in using sound as tool for consciousness transformation, here are three excellent books that I've found to be packed full of great information.


The Yoga of Sound: Tapping the Hidden Power of Music and Chant


The Music of Life


The Harmonics of Sound, Color & Vibration: A System for Self-Awareness and Soul Evolution

The Drum Circle at the Great Blue Heron

Here's a taste of the drum circle at the Great Blue Heron Music Festival in Sherman, NY. This festival is one of all time favorites.. great roots music, friendly people, family friendly, incredible setting. If you ever get the chance, by all means check it out.

Old School Rusted Root circa 1991

I just stumbled upon these videos from 1991, I forgot that our friend Pat had been documenting all of this... Priceless (especially my Mullet/Afro). Thanks Pat!

Rusted Root - 1991 part 1 The Bittner Building + Ecstacy


Rusted Root - 1991 part 2 Old School Drum Jam


Rusted Root - 1991 part 3 Cruel Sun + More Bittner Building


Rusted Root - 1991 part 4 Martyr/Graffiti/Artery

 

Photo by Latitia Lattanzio :: Parma, Italy 2010

Summer summer summer...

What an incredible summer it has been so far... Italy, France, Great Blue Heron, All Good, Drum and Splash, plus the workshops in Medina, Oh and State College. PA. Whew..
I've really enjoyed meeting, drumming and having conversations with all of you.

I just put together a new Podcast page on my site. The new uploads include interviews about Santana as well as a piece called the Ella story. I hope you like them!
 
This weekend I'll be in OH , then Western NY next weekend and after that comes the epic week of the 2010 Summer Rhythm Renewal. For those of you who couldn't get in to the Renewal, check out our new sister festival The 2010 Great Rhythm Revival on Labor Day weekend...

If you've been looking to get out and do something meaningful this summer, there are several opportunities still available. Remember to register early to save some cash and to be assured of getting in. 
See you there,
Jim

The Summer of DRUM continues here...

Friday, July 16, 2010 :: Oberlin, OH :: Ecstatic Drum and Chant :: Transformation Workshop

Sat. July 17, 2010 :: Oberlin, OH :: The Summer Rhythm Retreat

Tue. July 20, 2010 :: Sherman, NY :: Yoga of Drum and Chant Workshop (morning workshop)

Th/Fri July 22/23, 2010  Sherman, NY :: Brushwood Summer Fest :: Workshops and Concert

Tue/Wed July 27/28, 2010 :: Loretto, PA :: The Rhythm of Life Design Intensive (Nearly full)

July 29-Aug 1, 2010 :: Loretto, PA :: The 2010 Summer Rhythm Renewal :: SOLD OUT

Fri/Sat/Sun Sept 3-5, 2010 :: Sherman, NY :: The 2010 Great Rhythm Revival :: Drum/Dance/Personal Growth Retreat

Other Stuff

Get your Discount Drummer Bundle :: DVD and Learn-by-Ear Audio Tools here...

Photos of Drumming at All Good 2010

What a great festival this is. I had a chance to check out a great new band called the Lee Boys as well as one of favorites George Clinton. (No relation to Bill...)

Kasai All-Stars

One of my facebook friends turned me onto to these folks... I'm sure glad he did.

Kasai Allstars are a 25-piece musical collective based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The musicians originally come from five bands, all from the Kasai region, but originating from five different ethnic groups: the Songye, Lulua, Tetela, Luba, and Luntu. Some of these groups have endured conflicting relationships over the centuries, they each have their own culture, their own language and their own musical traditions, which were always thought to be incompatible until these musicians decided to pool their resources and form a "superband", at the instigation of Belgian producer Vincent Kenis^[1]

^{-(from Wikipedia)} 

Konono No.1

Konono Nº1 is a musical group from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. They combine three electric likembé (a traditional instrument similar to the mbira) with voices, dancers, and percussion instruments that are made out of items salvaged from a junkyard. The group's amplification equipment is equally rudimentary, including a microphone carved out of wood fitted with a magnet from an automobile alternator and a gigantic horn-shaped amplifier. (-from Wikipedia)

Personally I can't seem to stop listening to these guys, The music puts me into to an ecstatic state within a few moments. 

I like to listen to it LOUD! Enjoy... 

The Horseflies

This is a video of a performance I did with an incredible band called the Horseflies way back in 1993.
I love the old-time trance vibe they have going on!
Check them out if you ever have the chance. Incredible stuff...
http://www.thehorseflies.com/

3 New Jim Donovan Podcasts

I'm just discovering how to use my Podcast capabilities... (Yea I know, sometimes it takes me a while with this tech stuff..) 

Here are the latest ones... "On Drumming", "Drum & Chant" and "The Ella Story"... 

More Podcasts coming soon.

Opportunities for Drumming, Transformation and Rejuvenation

Imagine yourself enjoying 2 days of drumming, transformation and rejuvenation. You are invited to join us for the Summer Rhythm Retreat 2010 on July 16/17, 2010 in Oberlin, OH.


On Friday night July 16, experience Jim's newest workshop "The Ecstatic Drum and Chant :Transformation Workshop" then on Saturday July 17 you will enjoy a full day of drumming workshops with Rex Bacon, PJ Roduta, Jim Donovan, and Elie Kihonia featuring topics such as basic hand drumming, Congolese Drumand Dance, transformational chants, music creation, bell rhythm instruction, as well as various African and Caribbean conga rhythms and songs.

Cap the whole weekend of with an incredible concert under the stars with Drum the Ecstatic International.
Advance registration strongly suggested.
Spaceis already filling quickly..

. Saving your spot is EASY, just click on the link below to register online or just register by phone.


Phone: Call Common Ground at 440-965-5551
Web: Register Here Now...
Advance Registration Discount: $100 in advance for the whole weekend, or $35 for Friday Only // $75 for Saturday Only.
Beginners are warmly welcomed. Drums are provided. Space is limited. Ages 16 and over.

I can't wait to share this new batch of material with you, and I look forward to seeing your smiling face soon.
Peace, Jim
Get More Info and Jim's Full US Workshop Schedule...


Jim

The Summer of DRUM Is Happening...


Fri., July 9, 2010 :: Medina, OH :: Yoga of Drum and Chant Workshop

Sat. July 10, 2010 :: Masontown, WV :: All Good Fest. Workshop

Friday, July 16, 2010 :: Oberlin, OH :: Ecstatic Drum and Chant :: Transformation Workshop


Sat. July 17, 2010 :: Oberlin, OH :: The Summer Rhythm Retreat

Tue. July 20, 2010 :: Sherman, NY :: Yoga of Drum and Chant Workshop (morning workshop)


Th/Fri July 22/23, 2010  Sherman, NY :: Brushwood Summer Fest :: Workshops and Concert

Tue/Wed July 27/28, 2010 :: Loretto, PA :: The Rhythm of Life Design Intensive (Nearly full)

July 29-Aug 1, 2010 :: Loretto, PA :: The 2010 Summer Rhythm Renewal :: SOLD OUT

Fri/Sat/Sun Sept 3-5, 2010 :: Sherman, NY :: The 2010 Great Rhythm Revival :: Drum/Dance/Personal Growth

Other Stuff:
Get your Discount Drummer Bundle :: DVD and Learn-by-Ear Audio Tools here...