The event, which features established drumming legends as well as rising stars from a wide variety of popular musical styles, will take place on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, 2008.

Located about 45 minutes from the heart of New York City, the Concert Hall of the Performing Arts Center on the campus of the State University of New York at Purchase, New York represents a new venue for the festival.

The official line-up of featured performers for the 2008 Modern Drummer Festival Weekend is:

>>Day 1: Saturday, September 20, 2008

Simon Phillips (Toto/The Who/Jeff Beck) & Protocol
This MD Festival headliner is a giant of rock and fusion drumming, a revered clinician, and a Modern Drummer Hall Of Fame Award recipient. Sponsored by Tama, Zildjian, Remo, and Pro-Mark.

Ndugu Chancler (Michael Jackson/Santana/Weather Report)
Leon \"Ndugu\" Chancler’s well-deserved status as a drummer’s drummer is based on his solid performances with the elite of jazz/fusion, including Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Weather Report, plus his Grammy-quality work with pop icons such as Santana, Lionel Richie, and Michael Jackson. Sponsored by Yamaha, Paiste, Remo, Vic Firth, and Toca.

Will Calhoun (Living Colour)
William Calhoun’s ferocious drumming with the groundbreaking hard rock band “Living Colour” first brought him to international attention. Since then, his passion and conviction in a variety of rock, jazz, and R&B projects have further secured his reputation and increased his popularity. Sponsored by Mapex, Sabian, Remo, and Vic Firth.

Billy Ward (Joan Osborne/Robbie Robertson/Bill Champlin) & The Billy Ward Trio
While it might be difficult to define Billy Ward’s unique approach to the drumset, his musicianship, versatility, and creativity have made him a prime example of what it means to be a modern drummer. Sponsored by Drum Workshop, Zildjian, Evans, Trueline, Shure, and Rhythm Tech.

Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta)
After winning the Guitar Center Drum-Off at 9, receiving a Zildjian endorsement at 10, and being awarded a full scholarship to the Berklee School of Music at 15, it’s no surprise that Thomas Pridgen is currently holding down the demanding drum chair with The Mars Volta — or that, at just 25, he’s the youngest player to ever appear as a featured performer at the MD Festival. Sponsored by Drum Workshop, Zildjian, Evans, and Vater.

>> Day 2: Sunday, September 21, 2008

Bill Stewart (John Scofield/Pat Metheny) & Special Musical Guests
Bill Stewart’s independence and polyrhythmic, melodic drumming style extends the influence of legendary drummers such as Max Roach, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, and Jack DeJohnette. One of the most acclaimed accompanists in postmodern jazz, Stewart has also established his credentials as an exciting leader and composer in his own right. Sponsored by Gretsch, Zildjian, and Remo.

Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree/King Crimson)
Selected for two straight years as the number-one Progressive drummer in Modern Drummer’s Readers Poll, Gavin Harrison has amazed drummers around the world with his out-of-this-world playing, and enlightened them with his coveted instructional books and DVDs. Sponsored by Sonor, Zildjian, Remo, and Vic Firth.

Todd Sucherman (Styx/Brian Wilson)
Todd Sucherman’s incredible, impeccable drumming has made him one of modern rock’s most in-demand studio and touring drummers and clinicians—and put him well on his way to becoming a household name in the drumming community. Sponsored by Pearl, Sabian, Remo and Pro-Mark.

Dafnis Prieto (Michel Camilo) & The Dafnis Prieto Sextet
Dafnis Prieto is one of the most intriguing, tasteful, technically gifted, and musically sophisticated drummers and band leaders on the modern jazz scene. Sponsored by Yamaha, Sabian, Evans, Latin Percussion and Vic Firth.

Derek Roddy (Serpents Rise/Traumedy)
A contemporary drumming phenomenon, Derek Roddy has risen to the top of the metal drumming world due to his chops, power, and advanced approach to thrash drumming. He is now ready to conquer the Modern Drummer Festival. Sponsored by Sonor, Meinl, Remo and Vater

While some artists offer solo “clinic” performances and others appear “in concert” with additional musicians during their Festival segments, all share their talents in the educational and entertaining format that has made the MD Festival a must-see event for drummers around the world.

For over two decades, the two-day Festival has been recognized for its diversity and ability to bring together drummers of all styles, ages, and abilities, and this year’s event promises to continue that tradition.

Many of the previous Modern Drummer Festivals have been sell-outs, and over the past several years MD Festival videos have been among the world’s top-selling drumming dvds.

Tickets
Tickets are now on sale exclusively through the Purchase College Performing Arts Center box office. Call (914) 251-6200, Monday through Friday, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time). For further information and late-breaking details, go to moderndrummer.com or call (973) 239-4140.