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

Triptych 3, Shulgin's Songbook: Exceeding Genre Limitations

Relative to jazz in general, the genre "smooth jazz" often entails less complexity and more accessibility. However, Alexander Shulgin - the famous Russian composer and former member of the band "The Cruise" - succeeds in creating an album that is both complex, yet accessible, and thus pleases both musicians and non-musicians alike. With an all-star line-up that includes, John Patitucci, Billy Cobham, and Bob Mintzer, Part 3 of Shulgin's songbook "Triptych" has plenty to offer.

One of the album's strength's is Shulgin's willingness to experiment with different instrumentations, which keeps the album feeling fresh throughout. On the tune "Winter," Gregoire Maret is featured on harmonica, and it creates a totally different color than what the listener is used to up until that point. In addition, sax player Snake Davis often plays the flute instead of sax, and this also contributes to making the album diverse in terms of color and sound.

The use of the stand-up bass also adds a welcomed new sound to the album. On "Summer", John Patitucci plays stand-up, and it is a nice change from the electric bass (even though Janek Gwizdala is fantastic as well). Naturally, Shulgin gives Patitucci room to solo, and as usual, Patitucci plays in a way that is appropriate for the song (the sign of a talented studio musician). Meanwhile, drummer Gary Husband provides subtle and tasty snare work in the beginning, and then appropriately moves to brushes for Patitucci's solo.

Another admirable aspect of this album is that Shulgin gives his musicians room to really show off their abilities. Towards the end of "Winter", Maret displays his chops on the chromatic harmonica. It's tough to name the great harmonica players that are around today. For me, Stevie Wonder and Howard Levy (former member of Bela Fleck & The Flecktones) are the first two that come to mind. However, after hearing Maret on this track, I would certainly add his name to that list, for his solo is nothing short of virtuosic. On "Brazilian Summer", bassist Janek Gwizdala plays a blazing solo while singing along to his improvised melody (ala bassist Richard Bona).

A Look At "Triptych, Part 3: Alexander Shulgin's Songbook"

On the track "Airplane", Bob Mintzer is featured on saxophone. The head is quite simple, but his solo is what makes the tune. He glides over the changes with effortless ease and Shulgin gives him room to show off those skills that made him famous in groups like The Yellowjackets, and The Word of Mouth Big Band (led by the late, great Jaco Pastorious). At times, with certain songs that feature some of jazz's best, I feel that Alexander Shulgin was simply saying "Hey, look who I got to play on my album!" Regardless, that's perfectly fine with me.

Though the album definitely has the sound and often the feel of smooth jazz, it has the musicianship of classical music or bebop. Alexander Shulgin is a composer that clearly knew what he was doing when he was putting together a band. Even the lesser-known musicians are still excellent players and they add a lot to the album. For instance, on the infectious "Catch" (appropriately titled), Richard Niles provides great guitar work and a tasty solo, utilizing a clean jazz tone.

Although part 3 of "Triptych" has a lot going for it, it's the musicians that really carry the load more than Shulgin himself. Though several of the compositions are quite interesting and complex, it's the players that really bring them to life. In the end, the genre "smooth jazz" still might be the best classification for Part 3 of "Triptych", for the overall sound is quite typical of smooth jazz. However, because it is played at the highest level, by some of the greatest musicians in the world, it stretches the genre beyond its usual limitations.

www.myspace.com/shulginalexander www.facebook.com/pages/Alexander-Shulgin/58197470874

Track Listing 1. Osen' (Autumn) 2. Lovi (Catch) 3. Samolet (Airplane) 4. Nebesa (Heavens) 5. Zima (Winter) 6. Noch' Nezhna (Night is Tender) 7. Polyot na Vozdushnom Share (Balloon Flight) 8. Nebo nad Piterom (Sky over St.Petersburg) 9. Riga-Moskva 10. Leto (Summer) 11. Pevitsa (Singer) 12. Posmotri vokrug sebya (Look around) 13. Vesna (Spring) 14. Brazil'skoe Leto (Brazilian Summer)

Performers John Patitucci: double bass Bob James: keyboards Billy Cobham: drums Bob Mintzer: sax Richard Niles: guitar Gregoire Maret: harmonica Janek Gwizdala: electric bass Kim Chandler: backing vocal Richard Cottle: keyboards Snake Davis: sax & flute Gary Husband: drums