Thanks to Dave for an e-mail informing me he was in London recently and got a chance to see Gary Novak play with Bob Berg (sax) and James Genius (bass) in a band lead by Joe Locke (vibes). Dave tells me he spoke to Gary and the band is coming back to the states to record a CD due out in March. If you’re not hip to Novak, get this, and this too.

Thanks to everyone who emailed me with the bad news. Apparently the Zildjian Colaiuta clinic tour is cancelled due to a serious illness in his family. Let’s hope everything ends up OK. One email in particular mentioned this:
“He (Vinnie) was to play the Paradiso in Amsterdam on Thursday September 26th. Zildjian, Slagwerkkrant and the Paradiso have tried to find several ways to a solution and can finally come up with the great news that the only viable alternative to a clinic by Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, confirmed the London and Amsterdam dates of the world tour. Steve Gadd regrets he can not do the other dates due to other commitments”

Thanks to Randal Walker for reminding us that Dave Weckl’s new CD, Perpetual Motion, is now available. Also thanks to Clintuplet for sharing this huge Steve Smith update with us. The update talks about the upcoming TWO DVD instructional set. Here’s a taste:
“On Disc One: Drumset Technique (2 Hours 35 Min), I break down and explain my hand and foot technique in detail and talk about what drummers need to know to improve their technique and feel. Chapters include: Hand Technique, Foot Technique, The Art Of Practice, Independence/Interdependence, Exercises, Licks and Phrases, Implied Metric Modulations and Four Solo Drum Pieces.”
Sounds like a MUST HAVE.

The DVD for Alejandro Sanz Unplugged with Vinnie is available (has been for a while). Previously only the CD was available but now you can get the DVD. Video clips can be found here. You must sell your soul to the devil to view them.

Thanks to Nikk for letting us know that Drum Paradise is selling a Maple Custon kit on Ebay previously owned by Vinnie and used on numerous gigs.

I’m normally not a big fan of electronic drums but I thought I would plug this E-Drum Expo in LA anyways. (Thanks to Freddie Gutierrez for that one). Omar Hakim is playing there so that warrants a plug. Also thanks to HOD news correspondant Randal Walker for letting us know that Vinnie is on a few tracks on Lee Ritenour’s latest. Congrats to Lee for having the first web site I’ve ever seen that has nothing to click on.

Thanks to HOD news correspondant Rose Derek Defields for pointing out that Yoshi’s Calander Page has Jing Chi listed December 10-15. Pretty Cool!

Chick Corea’s tour dates page has been updated with a bunch of dates for the Elektric Band reunion. Looks like those of us in L.A. get a week at Catalina’s in Novemeber. NICE.

Thanks so much to Durbo for sending me this link here where you can be put on a mailing list and be notified when the DVD is available. It features “Virgil Donati, The Dave Weckl Band, John Tempesta, Luis Conte, David Jones, Andrew Gander and More! Plus footage of workshops by Dom Famularo, Dave Weckl, Virgil Donati and Luis Conte.”

Thanks to Tonio Liuzzi for letting me know that Vinnie will be playing on former Police guitarist Andy Summers next CD, along with Abe senior and John Beasley. Here is a link to Andy’s news page with the scoop.