David Stanoch, Allen Herman and Elliot Fine
In this 30-minute exclusive video interview, I had the good fortune of catching up with David Stanoch, Allen Herman and Elliot Fine during the 2011 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis, and visit with them about their most recent music and drumming endeavors.
Elliot Fine, co-author (along with Marv Dahlgren) of 4-Way Coordination, opened up about how the book came about, including the process and influences for the book, as well as the biggest inspiration on 4-way coordination, legendary jazz drummer, Elvin Jones.
I visited with Allen Herman, who gave a drum clinic performance, Life on Drums, along with Billy Martin during the PAS convention. Allen also shared a bit about the making of his new CD, Out of the Box.
Stanoch and Fine also spoke about an upcoming educational package they've been working on which features the 4-way approach of legendary drummer/percussionist, Walfredo Reyes Sr. The soon to be released book, based on the two-in-one drummer concept, is about merging the traditional drumkit with congas and playing them both at the same — one drummer — something Reyes is widely known for.
It was a true pleasure to visit with these pioneers to the art of drumming; I'm sure you will enjoy the experience as much as I did.
David Stanoch has performed with an eclectic array of artists including Sheryl Crow, Richard Davis, Herb Ellis, Robert Goulet, New Kids on the Block, Bonnie Raitt, Martin Short, and renowned drummers, Bernard Purdie, Ed Shaughnessy, Clyde Stubblefield, and Butch Vig. A faculty member of McNally Smith College of Music since 1990, Stanoch's independently published method book, Mastering the Tables of Time, Vol. I, was released to international critical acclaim in 2008, voted #1 Educational Book in the Modern Drummer 2009 Readers Poll, and is now distributed worldwide by Alfred Music Publishing. David is a contributing author to Modern Drummer, Drummer Cafe, and the Vic Firth Educational Artist Program.
Allen Herman started playing drums at 12 years old, got into his first cover band at 14, and his first steady job at 15. He played his first recording with Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan when he was 23 and soon after recorded with Elliott Randall. He has a history on Broadway where he played the Tony Awards and recorded the cast album for A Chorus Line at 29. Among the many musicians he performed with, he was able to work with Bob Fosse and Chita Rivera. He retired from music when he was 49 and went to work for American Express. He co-produced Life on Drums with Billy Martin at 62 and retired from American Express at 63. He is currently teaching, giving clinics and masterclasses, and composing/recording classically improvised jazz music for solo drums. Allen plays Craviotto Drums, Zildjian and Paiste cymbals, and uses Pro-Mark sticks.
Elliot Fine noted Minnesota Orchestra percussionist and renowned co-author (with Marv Dahlgren) of 4-Way Coordination, one of the most innovative and highly regarded of all drumset method books since its publication 40 years ago.
