​It's Jazz Fest time in New Orleans and there are a lot of people in the city here for that. My quintet performed on Thursday, May 4th, to an enthusiastic audience that filled the Jazz Tent. The performance was live streamed on WWOZ. My band includes Derek Douget on sax, Drew Bayham on trumpet, Oscar Rossignoli on piano, and Martin Masakowski on bass.

 

I am excited to have started composing a percussion suite for a total of 12 drummers/percussionists. My goal is to have it performed sometime in 2024. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to do this.

 

Zildjian Cymbals celebrated 400 years in business at Tipitina's in New Orleans this past week. Some of the drummers involved were Dennis Chambers, Adam Deitch, Herlin Riley, Joe Dyson, Stanton Moore, and myself. We were each assigned one song to perform. I was given the song "Cissy Strut" by the Meters and was honored to play that song with a wonderful backup band of New Orleans' finest musicians. 

 

I continue as a music educator in New Orleans and am also performing locally more lately, often with younger great musicians.   I'm on the faculty at the Heritage School of Music, and I'm an adjunct professor teaching private students at the University of New Orleans.  I also direct a high school Jazz Band at the International High School of New Orleans. The Heritage School of Music is a free program offered to students in the New Orleans area between the ages of 10 and 17.  We teach the students theory and how to play Jazz.  I love working with these kids because they are serious about becoming professional musicians, and they are learning from some of the best instructors in this city.

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I have started a YouTube channel called "Rick's Licks" and have recorded many drum set lessons based on my book, "Independence on the Drum Set". You can check it out by going to: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWQaZWs0K7OIDCFakSjNWrg 

 

I remain available for private lessons and have a studio at Spreading the Music, 2436 Valence Street, New Orleans, LA.  You can go to the schools web site and schedule lessons with me by clicking here. 

I am also offering Skype and Zoom lessons online.  All you need is an iPad or a laptop and Skype/Zoom to get started.  Lesson fees can be paid using PayPal.  To reach me for a lesson, please go to the "Contacts" page.

 

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