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I’ll be giving a taiko workshop at Southern Oregon University on Wednesday afternoon. It’s for Director of Percussion Studies Terry Longshore’s world music class. If you happen to be in the area, stop by.

On 1/11/11 my wife Rosie successfully gave birth to Ruby Ellen Underwood. She was born at our home. The plan was to have her in a birthing tub, but before the tub was full she decided to come out in our living room. She weighed 6lbs. 8oz. and is totally healthy. I’m so glad that everything went well, especially since I was away on the road with On Ensemble at the time she was born. I was able to see her, Rosie and Blaise on Skype shortly after she was born. I’m really looking forward to getting back home.

All good things must come to an end. What a wonderful experience, and not a dull moment. I’m really going to miss working with the outstanding cast of “Ruined”. I hope we told the stories of the people in the Congo well and that we’ve helped raise awareness of the devastating events that plague central Africa. Also, I’d like to thank Kris, Maz and Shoji for their patience and flexibility during the last eight months.

The cast of Ruined

Yesterday’s concert was a success!!! We performed three selections. The first and second piece are my original compositions “Oteo Machete” which features capoeira movement and Yoruba rhythms, and an untitled modal Jazz piece that features taiko + tenor saxophone. The third piece was an oldy but goodie “Miyake”. We had a lot of fun. My student Suzee Grilley did a fabulous job and was a real pleasure working with Sax master Steve Davidson.

I was one of the best of five drummers who turned out for the 2010 Guitar Center Drum-Off in Medford, OR tonight. I’ll be competing at the next level, store finals on October 14th. Wow! I barely found time to practice either. Following the next level are district competitions, regional competitions, and finally the BIG one. Man, I feel great!

Meidoko is performing at the Culture Festival here in Ashland, OR at noon on October 3rd, 2010. I will be performing with my taiko student Suzee Grilley and collaborating with local saxophonist Steve Davidson. This show will showcase my original material merging Capoeira/dance movement, Jazz and taiko. If you’re in the area come see the show.

I never really was the competitive type of person, but some opportunities are too good to pass up. I just signed up for the 2011 Guitar Center Drum Off. If you’re not familiar with this competition, it’s where some of the nations best drummers go head-to-head for a chance to win a bunch of money, a custom drum kit and cymbals, endorsement deals, and tons of recognition. Preliminary competitions begin on September 23rd. Following these are district, then regional and finally national competitions. What’s my strategy? Pull all the stops. An onslaught of chops. Percussive blitzkrieg. This is both scary and exhilarating. Oh well, off to the sheds.

On July 20th Me, Blues guitarist and songwriter Chic Streetman and South African guitarist extraordinaire Mongezi Ntaka collaborated for a Green Show. The Green Show is a concert series held here in Ashland, Oregon on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival campus during the summer and is free to the public. It was Chic’s gig and it was my pleasure to perform with him outside of our usual performance setting. You see, Chic is the guitarist for the play “Ruined” in which I’m also cast. Mongezi is Chic’s understudy. Mongezi will be here for another week subbing while Chic completes a short tour of performances and workshops throughout the US.
Mongezi Ntaka is an amazing man and guitarist. He plays every style of African guitar, Reggae, R&B, and Jazz, and is the guitarist for other musical artists such as Kuku and Vusi Mahlasela. Vusi Mahlasela is gaining more and more popularity and has collaborated with artists such as Dave Matthews and Taj Mahal.
On Ensemble has a Green Show here in Ashland, Oregon on August 28th, 2010. If you’re in town come check us out.