Virtuoso Drummers Billy Cobham, Thomas Lang & Luis Conte Ink Deal with ArtistWorks to Launch Interactive Online Drum Schools

ArtistWorks Drum Academy Debuts on December 8th 2011 Featuring Unique 2-Way Video Exchange

(11.11.11 – Los Angeles, CA) Napa California-based music education company ArtistWorks will premiere the ArtistWorks Drum Academy (ADA) with the debut of online schools from three of the world’s most accomplished, respected and talented drummers: world-renowned jazz and drumming legend Billy Cobham, drumming superstar/producer Thomas Lang, and Latin Percussion Icon Luis Conte. Launching on December 8th, both the Billy Cobham Drum School (BCDS) and the Thomas Lang Drum School (TLDS) will utilize ArtistWorks’ patent-pending video technology, allowing for two-way video exchange and interactive instruction to elevate online instruction to an unprecedented new level. The Luis Conte Percussion School (LCPS) will be added in January of 2012.

The ArtistWorks online visual education format allows virtuoso musicians to teach students all over the world by presenting their full method in a series of high-quality video lessons online. Subscribing students work through the lessons and use simple web cams to submit videos to their teacher for critique and guidance. The Artists easily review and respond to student videos on their own time using the ArtistWorks Video Management System (patent pending). Both student video and Artist response are paired together online as a “Video Exchange” for the entire community to learn from.

“We are proud to offer drummers of all experience levels – regardless of their geographic location – the same remarkable opportunity to study music with the very best drummers in the world,” says ArtistWorks founder, David Butler. “Without question, Thomas, Billy, and Luis are the top players in their genres of rock/pop , jazz/fusion drumming and percussion, and the opportunity to learn directly from them and interact with them personally is priceless.”

The Thomas Lang Drum School, Billy Cobham Drum School, and Luis Conte Percussion School contains hundreds of high-quality video lessons starting from the beginner level and progressing to the advanced level. Unlike other static learning experiences seen before on DVD or other online sites, the ADA is a groundbreaking new model of online musical instruction that revolutionizes music education. The ADA Schools take full advantage of high-resolution video, cutting-edge social media tools, and the Internet’s interactive capabilities to create a robust learning environment. Not only do the schools offer hundreds of real-time and slow motion lessons available 24/7, they also enable teaching through personalized video exchanges with students all over the world.

World-renowned drumming superstar/producer, award-winning instructional DVD creator and author, Thomas Lang is a founding member of the progressive, heavy metal trio stOrk and has worked with artists such as Asia, Falco, Geri Halliwell and Spice Girls among others. Lang is widely considered to be one of the most talented and technically proficient drummers in the world and was named #13 on Rhythm magazine’s list of “Top Drummers of the Past 25 Years” .

“ArtistWorks has created an incredibly inspiring interactive platform that not only allows me to interact directly with my students, but allows students to learn and interact with each other,” says Lang. “Learning should be an organic, multi-dimensional experience and with the ADA students get the benefit of social interaction as well as direct, personal instruction.” – Thomas Lang

Legendary jazz drummer, bandleader and composer Billy Cobham has worked with Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jack Bruce and Bobby and the Midnights among others. Cobham has performed, recorded, and produced at the World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) with Peter Gabriel and currently serves as an Official Patron of WOMAD. With his legendary drumming style that combines exacting precision and explosive power -- Cobham is generally considered to be jazz-fusion’s greatest and most influential drummer.

“The networking on my site is both fun and functional,” says Cobham. “Students support each other while everyone explores the curriculum. There is an environment of camaraderie and unity that is essential to learning. I find the concept of being able to communicate directly with students all over the world incredibly exciting.”- Billy Cobham

The Thomas Lang Drum School (www.Thomaslangdrums.com) and the Billy Cobham School of Drums (www.cobhamdrums.com) will debut December 8th and both are open to drummers at all levels of proficiency. The Luis Conte Percussion School (www.luisdrums.com) will be added in January of 2012. Student membership plans are reasonably priced per school at $90.00 for 3 months, $150.00 for 6 months, and $240.00 for a 12-month subscription.

Founded in 2008 by former AOL executive David Butler, ArtistWorks, Inc is a Napa California-based technology and music education company that has created a proprietary, online "video exchange" education platform, which allows virtuoso musicians to “teach the world” by presenting their full method, technique or curriculum in HD video to subscribing students. Using simple web cams, students are able to submit videos to their teachers for individualized critique and guidance – creating a two-way, individualized educational experience. ArtistWorks currently offers curriculums from such world-class, virtuoso artists as: jazz guitarist Andreas Oberg; harmonica master Howard Levy; fingerstyle guitarist Martin Taylor; turntablist DJ Qbert; pianist Christie Peery; and the ArtistWorks Academy of Bluegrass with Tony Trischka (banjo), Mike Marshall (mandolin), Darol Anger (fiddle), Bryan Sutton (guitar), Missy Raines (bass), and Andy Hall (dobro).

For more information please visit: www.artistworksdrumacademy.com, www.Thomaslangdrums.com and www.cobhamdrums.com

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Media Contact: Elizabeth Lang, MUSO Entertainment – 323.243.4959 or via email at press@artistworksdrumacademy.com

Tony Adamo Meets Tower Of Power Meets The Headhunters

By Scott Yanow
L.A Jazz Scene/ All Music Guide to Jazz/ The Jazz Singers

A new CD that has recently been recorded is being described as “Tony Adamo meets Tower of Power meets The Headhunters” set to be released in early 2012. This unique set teams together singer and spoken word artist Tony Adamo with drummer-producer Mike Clark, several members of the Headhunters and special guests. The drummer says of the project, “The three elements on the CD are rhythm and blues (we married some old ideas with some newer surprises), a heavy blues saturation and some straight ahead bebop. There is even some avant-garde music and a duet with drums and voice.”

In addition to Tony Adamo, the lineup of musicians include Rob Dixon on tenor, alto and keyboards, trumpeters Derrick Gardner and Pharez Whitted, guitarist-keyboardist Gary Mielke, organist Delbert Bump, guitarist Steve Homan, bassist Brett Palm, percussionist Bill Summers, Mike Clark on drums and co-founder of Tower of Power, Doc Kupka on bari sax.

The musical friendship of Adamo and Clark began about six years ago. Tony, whose warm deep voice is perfectly at home in a variety of settings whether it is soul or swing, is a creative improviser with an accessible yet unpredictable style. His style is friendly, personable, very musical, and open to spontaneity as can be heard on his two prior recordings, STAIGHT UP DEAL and WHAT IS HIP. Mike Clark says of Tony, “He sings with soul and also does spoken word along with the singing. He is not afraid to address issues that are pertinent to what is going on in the world. He will often have a sketch for a song and then, when we are in the studio, he spontaneously fills it in and improvises, sometimes taking the music in a completely different direction.”

Mike Clark is one of the most in-demand drummers on the scene today. Earlier in his career he played with vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, trumpeter Woody Shaw and tenor-saxophonist Joe Henderson. After beginning an association with Herbie Hancock that resulted in him becoming the drummer with the Headhunters, he became well known as a funk drummer although he remains very active in jazz. Among his recent projects have been leading the straight ahead acoustic group Integral Blue which includes Randy Brecker, Donald Harrison and Christian McBride; touring with guitarist Scott Henderson and bassist Jeff Berlin in an electric band performing Wayne Shorter tunes; and recording with keyboardist Michael Wolff’s quartet. In addition he co-leads the Headhunters with Bill Summers. The Headhunters recent CD release is called PLATINUM.

Tony says “The music is in a different and new genre.” Mike Clark is also enthusiastic about the project which is the first time he produced a singer. “We were all really glad to play together and it translates. The music tips its hat towards the days in Oakland when Tower of Power reigned. It has elements of James Brown and some real modern funk. All the music was so swinging and so funky that it was very enjoyable for us and we are very glad to be putting out the music soon.” Tony Adamo’s new CD will be released in a few months and it promises to make a strong impact on the music world.

http://www.strokeland.com/StrokelandJazz/TonyAdamo/WhatIsHip/WhatIsHip.htm