The organizers of the 8th Annual Cape Breton International Drum Festival, award-winning drummer/educator Bruce Aitken and his wife Gloria Jean Aitken, today announced the festival lineup. The proclamation was followed by a drum clinic by the legendary Mike Clark of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters."This is "The Year of The Classics". These are not just drummers from classic bands, but drummers who have provided total world music history with some of the classic grooves of all time. This lineup is so diverse, and that's what makes our festival, so unique."
The 2008 lineup is as follows:
Larnell Lewis
Larnell Lewis is from Toronto, Ontario. His unique style and vision is a welcome addition to the festival.
Aldo Mazza
Aldo is the founder and artistic director of the KoSA International Percussion Workshops and Festivals, and a member of the internationally-acclaimed ensemble, Repercussion.
Alan White
2008 sees the return by popular demand of Yes drummer Alan White. He is known for his ground-breaking work with both John Lennon and George Harrison.
Ed Mann
Ed recorded over fifty Frank Zappa recordings. This prolific feat alone puts him in a class of his own. Winner of top awards in Modern Drummer Magazine Readers Polls, Ed has released five critically-acclaimed CDs of original music.
Bruce Aitken
Bruce Aitken will perform with Ed Mann and special guest Billy Nuku.
Billy Nuku
The legendary New Zealand drummer, who now resides in Sydney, Australia, will perform along with Ed Mann and Bruce Aitken.
William F. Ludwig III ("B3")
The man they call "B3" is from the famous Ludwig Drum family. He is the charismatic grandson of the man who created Ludwig drums. WFL III will take the audience on a journey throughout the ages with his unique and very interesting "History of Percussion".
Billy has spent his entire life "Growing Up Ludwig" and his knowledge of Ludwig drums and Ludwig drummers is extensive. "B3" had a remarkable personal relationship with the great Buddy Rich.
Dave Langguth
David Langhuth is the groove behind Canadian superstar Nelly Furtado. David has also performed with Sass Jordan, Alannah Myles, and Rick Emmett.
Pamela Lynn
Pamela Lynn is internationally known as an accomplished world percussionist, singer, songwriter and educator in the field of world / new age music. Pamela has recently signed with ACM Records, a New York/New Jersey record label and publishing company.
Michael Shrieve
2008 sees the return of Michael Shrieve. His recording credits are incredible, and include Mick Jagger, George Harrison, Pete Townsend, Steve Winwood, and Carlos Santana who stated, "Some drummers only have chops, but Michael Shrieve has vision. Michael is like a box of crayons; he has all the colors." Michael was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
David Jones
David Jones is often described as being one of the most innovative and musical drummers is the world. David hails from "Down Under"- Melbourne, Australia. He is certainly Australia's most influential drummer of all time.
Danny Seraphine
Daniel Seraphine is one of the world's most highly-respected rock drummers, and rated by the late Buddy Rich as one of his favorite young drummers. Danny was the drummer/percussionist and founding member of the multi-million record selling, Grammy award-winning band, Chicago. In early 2006 Danny Seraphine debuted a new band, California Transit Authority (CTA).
Carmine Appice
There are legends and there are legends, and then there is Carmine Appice. Carmine wrote the book on drum clinic education, long before it became standard for drummers to do clinics. He led the way. Carmine has performed with many great acts such as Vanilla Fudge, Beck, Bogert & Appice, Cactus, King Kobra, Rod Stewart and many others. Carmine has reshaped the path of music education, redesigned the very instrument he plays, and recreates excitement with every performance because "Carmine Appice is a different drummer".
Stephane Chamberland
A very exciting and powerful new force in the drumming world, Stephane Chamberland makes his first appearance this year as a special guest of the festival.
Dom Famularo
Dom is dubbed "The Global Drumming Ambassador", not just for drums but for the Cape Breton International Drum Festival. Famularo is all visions that drumming conjures up - speed, power, technique, dynamics, musicality, and sensitivity - and that's after he has you eating out of his hands as a world-renowned motivator. Dom Famularo - need we say more?
Legends Award 2008
This year the Cape Breton International Drum Festival Legends Award will be presented to the following drummers: Uriel Jones and Michael Shrieve.
Previously Hal Blaine, Bernard Purdie, Bill Cobham, Denny Seiwell, and Steve Gadd received a Legends Award.
The Legends Award is designed and created by outstanding artist, blacksmith and drummer, John Little of East Dover, Nova Scotia.
Master Class 2008
The legendary Uriel Jones is certainly one of the most popular drummers ever to perform in Cape Breton. "The Motown Man" returns in 2008 to present the master class, "In The Snake Pit - Hitsville USA". Uriel cut his teeth working with music industry giants and innovators such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and many others. Along with The Funk Brothers, Uriel appears on more #1 golden hits than The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and The Beach Boys combined.
For details about Cape Breton 2008 visit www.cbdrumfest.ca
