PASIC Debuts in Austin

The annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) was held Nov. 8-12 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. For the first time in the events 30-year history, the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World played host to more than 6,000 drummers and percussionists from around the world for the four-day convention.

PASIC featured over 150 concerts, clinics, master classes, labs, workshops, panels, and presentations. Artists from all over were invited to present and perform in program showcases including drumset, marching, keyboard, symphonic, world, recreational, education, music technology, new music, and health & wellness.

Much like this years NAMM Summer Session in Austin, PASIC also featured the International Drum and Percussion Expo trade show component, which included over 150 drum and percussion manufacturers, publishers, and organizations who exhibited the latest drums, instruments, sticks, mallets, accessories, music, and related products and services.

The nationally recognized PASIC Indoor Marching Percussion Festival also took place during the convention. The festival featured a competition of high school and collegiate drumlines and solo performers from all over the country vying for top honors.

The evening jam sessions were held in the Hilton lobby Thursday through Saturday night, and featured Ed Saindon and Key Play, Latin guru Henry Brun, and Ed Soph with the Stefan Karlsson Trio.

The PASIC drumset clinics and master classes featured Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Arc Angels), Todd Sucherman (Styx), John Riley (Vanguard Jazz Orchestra), Thomas Lang (Independent), Teddy Campbell (American Idol), Marty Morell (Bill Evans Trio), Gil Sharone (Stolen Babies), Will Calhoun (Living Colour), Benny Greb (Jerobeam), Rodney Holmes (Brecker Brothers, Santana), Keith Carlock (Sting, Steely Dan), Ed Soph (Stefan Karlsson, Marvin Stamm), Steve White (Paul Weller, The Players), Kenwood Dennard (Just Advance, Brand X), Mike Clark (The Headhunters, Prescription Renewal), and Jim Payne (Jim Payne Band). Thursday evening kicked off with Japanese marimba virtuoso Keiko Abe with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony directed by Eugene Migliaro Corporon with University of North Texas percussionists Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, Robert Schietroma, Paul Rennick and Brian Zator. Friday evenings concert featured Double Image with David Friedman, and Dave Samuels.  The Saturday evening concert featured Airto Moreira, a high-profile percussionist since the 1970s.  This Brazilian percussionist helped make percussion an essential part of modern jazz.  His concert featured music from his latest recording Life After That, which is an adventure into Airtos signature brand of Brazilian-inspired grooves.

For information on PASIC, contact:  Percussive Arts Society, 701 N.W. Ferris Ave., Lawton, OK 73507-5442. Web site: www.pas.org,  Email percarts@pas.org, or call 580-353-1456.