Our drumming classes are taught by instructor Scott Parker Mast. Scott has been teaching and performing African rhythms of Cuba and Zimbabwe professionally since 1997. Scott’s study of rhythms of Zimbabwe began with several years in Albuquerque New Mexico, culminating with a three-month visit to Zimbabwe. Scott has also studied in Puerto Rico and Cuba and is a long-running member of local Afro-Cuban ensemble, Bamboche.
Scott has also taught drumming at New Vista High School, September School, Eagle Rock School, Estes Park High School, Willow Creek Elementary School, and Uni-Hill Elementary School, as well as at Camp Tumbuka and Zimfest.
Scott was Kutandara’s first drum set player and is featured on our album “Ndotamba nani?” Scott also traveled with Kutandara in 2000 and 2001 to perform at the Zimbabwean Music Festival. Scott holds a B.A. in Psychology from Naropa University. For more information about Scott, visit his website spmast.com.
AFRICAN RHYTHMS OF ZIMBABWE
for experienced players
Monday 7-8:30 pm
June 15-July 27
7 weeks | $245 (Venmo-Cash-Check payable to instructor)
We’ll jump right into playing traditional rhythms of Zimbabwe, as Scott learned at Chris Berry’s Blue Tribe School, as well as in Zimbabwe. We will learn first and second accompaniments, as well as breaks and bell patterns, and some root lead parts. The cultural context will also be discussed. Scott welcomes and encourages the use of smartphones to make audio and/or video recordings of class in order to have a reference point for practicing in between classes.
AFRO CUBAN DRUMMING
for experienced players
Wednesday 7-8:30 pm
June 17-July 29
7 weeks | $245 (Venmo-Cash-Check payable to instructor)
We’ll will jump right into playing traditional conga rhythms of Cuba. Most of what is taught will be drawn from the lineage of Los Munequitos de Matanzas. Scott received the permission to teach this repertoire from elder Jesus Alfonso (RIP), during follow up studies with him in Cuba in 2005. We will learn first and second accompaniments, as well as breaks and bell/clave patterns, and some root lead parts. Cultural context will also be discussed. I welcome and encourage use of smartphones to make audio and/or video recordings of class in order to have a reference point for practicing in between classes.
