Posted March 4, 200817 yr Schulman to drum up SA success 04/03/2008 12:18 - (SA) Birgit Ottermann Cape Town - World-class US drummer Mark Schulman, who has rocked with the likes of P!nk, Cher, Simple Minds, Billy Idol, Sheryl Crow, Velvet Revolver and Destiny's Child, is visiting South Africa this week to drum up South Africans with his "Attitude to Success" drum clinics. The star will share his secrets to success at drum clinics in Johannesburg and Pretoria on 8 and 9 March, which form part of his worldwide 2008 Drum Clinic Tour. Schulman will also perform his cutting edge fusion tracks and hard-hitting rockers, including special performances with video. "The clinics, will focus on creating and practising the perfect drum parts," Schulman told News24. "I will also concentrate on approaches to play different styles of music, the four points of technique, playing with a click, tuning for the studio and arena, and effective communication with artists and producers. Schulman promises to entertain the audience with hilarious engaging "unbelievable" road stories plus guests will get a chance to participate in the clinic through drum lessons. Ringo Starr According to Schulman his dream to become a drummer was born when he first saw the Beatles' Ringo Starr in action. "I remember seeing The Beatles on television, as a 3-year-old toddler," Schulman reveals. "I saw Ringo playing the drums and something resonated so deeply with me. Then I saw all the screaming girls, and at that moment, I thought to myself, 'I want that.'" Schulman, who is a studio owner in Venice, California where he produces, writes music and records drum tracks, says he grew up playing the drums. "I grew up playing and for me it was a blessing, because I could just play when I was a young kid," he said in a recent SA Drummer magazine interview. "I played in bands and took lessons from different teachers that influenced me," he added. Interestingly enough, Schulman is also a classically trained cellist who, as a teen, played with the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic. David Garibaldi According to Schulman, his most influential drum teacher was Freddy Gruber. He also has great admiration for drummer David Garibaldi. "When I first heard Tower of Power (a Californian soul band), I was like 'What? Who's this'. "I was just completely enthralled with that flow and that groove, the sixteenth note pulse and David's choices and phrasing." Schulman recounts how he joined a Garibaldi drumming camp two years ago in Germany where Garibaldi taught funk but did not play anything of Tower of Power. "I encouraged David to play Squid Cakes and he eventually sat down and played it, after I played first. It was such a great moment for me," he said. 'Pink is extraordinary' Schulman has worked with many superstars over the last 19 years - one of the latest being the singer Pink with whom he toured the world, including South Africa, last year. Schulman describes Pink as "just amazing". "Her songs and performances are so powerful. One can only be grateful for playing with an artist like this. "She's extraordinary all the way around and everybody loves her as a person," says Schulman. Apart from playing the drums for international stars, Schulman has also contributed to the soundtracks of films, TV shows and commercials, such as Beverly Hills Cop III, Speed and The Sopranos. Furthermore, Schulman is a trained audio engineer and an active educator, performing drum seminars all over the world and teaching at the Los Angeles Music Academy. Cancer survivor As a cancer survivor, Schulman presents international seminars to motivate people around the world. Schulman has also educated and mentored children with cancer through the Ronald McDonald House; and is acting as chairperson for Create Now, a non profit organisation that changes the lives of troubled children through creative arts programmes. Over the last two years, Schulman has developed a motivational Rock 'n Roll seminar programme working with big corporate clients and colleges. The drummer is widely regarded as one of the most motivated people you are every likely to meet. "It is your attitude that dictates your life," says Schulman. "You have control over your attitude at every moment of the day. My philosophy is to choose what serves you and what serves others. "Choose an attitude that is extraordinary; choose an attitude that embraces gratitude, groove and love. Try and be as cool as you can possibly be. That's how I live my life." The Mark Schulman drum clinics, which form part of the drummer's worldwide 2008 Drum Clinic Tour, will take place on Saturday 8 March 16:00 at The Liberty Church in Ferndale, Randburg and on Sunday 9 March 13:00 at Zeplins in Pretoria.
March 5, 200817 yr :wub: He's great. I saw this Billy Idol clip a while ago and was like, HUH is that Mark? :lol: meant to post it at the time, but forgot..
