The Galway Drum Show which commences this weekend is Ireland’s only drumming enthusiast event and is the largest drumming event ever to be held in Ireland.
On September 10 we are running a full day “Drums Intensive MasterLab" with Claus Hessler, as well as an Evans Drumheads run Snare Tuning and Maintenance Masterclass, both taking place at the Clayton Hotel, Galway
Saturday night brings entertainment in the form of R.S.A.G, performing at the Roisin Dubh. Jeremy Hickey, and his one man show of sound, visuals and incendiary rhythms has captured audiences around the world, now it’s Galway’s turn.
On September 11, at Studio@5 Claregalway, The Galway Drum Show brings world renowned artists and companies right to your door step. Hosting performances, product demonstrations, masterclasses and the finals of the Young Irish Drummer of the Year competition. It’s certain to be a fun and educational event not to be missed. This action packed day provides attendees with the opportunity to hear and learn from some of the most respected artists and educators from around the world, as well as getting the opportunity to try and buy the very latest drum and percussion innovations from the best brands in the business.
Visit exhibitor stands and speak directly with the people that make or distribute these instruments. So whether you wish to come along and check out the products on display, see drumming legends appear on the main stage, take a masterclass or attend one of the many live educational experiences on Sunday, come and be part of the Irish Drumming Festival and celebrate the art of drumming. The show takes place on the 10th and 11th September 2022. See www.thegalwaydrumshow.com for more information.
Origins
The origins of the Galway Drum show go all the way back to 2009. In the depts of the recession the seed was sown. 10 years later and the Galway Drum Show was born in 2019. It all started as the brainchild of John Tierney. Having just started a family, the recession hit. Times were so tough that John considered selling his drum kit to pay some bills.
Having discussed this with his wife Danielle, she warned him that this would be a huge mistake, one that he would regret for the rest of his life. She then encouraged him to follow his passion for drums and open a school. This was the birth of Rhythm Drum School. Over the next 10 years Rhythm Drum School went from strength to strength and eventually became the Trinity College London Drum Kit specialist examination centre for Ireland.
While flying back home from the UK drum show in 2018, John decided that he would set about creating an Irish drum show. The rest as they say is history.
The artists appearing at the Galway drum show this year are as follows,
Claus Hessler
Claus is mostly known for his unique open-handed approach to drumset playing and has performed at numerous DRUM EVENTS across “planet drum”, sharing stage with players like Steve Smith, Alex Acuna, Walfredo Reyes Jr., JoJo Mayer, Johnny Rabb or percussion fame Luis Conte Claus has been performing in a variety of musical
styles with bands/artists like the Grammy Award winning New York Voices, Barbara Dennerlein, Mike Stern, African Balafon great Mamadou Diabate, Sting’s Rhani Krija and Dominic Miller, Herb Ellis or Larry Coryell to his credit. Most recent musical activities include his work with FLUX: Run – Seven To Heaven
In Germany, Claus maintains a busy teaching schedule including the University for Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt; he is also the first European drumset player to be honoured with a distinguished professor degree at keimyung university in daegu, south korea and being announced distinguished expert at china’s oldest university shanghai conservatory of music. he is constantly contributing to the biggest european drum magazine.
Mikey Sorbello
Australian-born drummer Mikey Sorbello truly convinces with his high energy playing, with a creative new approach while still paying tribute to drumming roots and simply huge distinctive sound.
Probably best known for his work with musical group the Graveltones as a ferocious hard hitting drum slayer, he is also known for his softer side supporting a plethora of American and English based songstresses and Songwriters. No matter the genre Mikey displays the one crucial thing, Feel, "it's not what's played, it's how it's played".
With an unusual setup that pays tribute to the very earliest of drum sets Mikey has pushed forward whilst bringing the very roots of drumming with him.
From the beginning Mikey set out to challenge what is normal and find a voice that embodies his influences from young and old which is why he is the first call for many blues and roots artists from all over the world. He currently performs Globally with the 360 Allstars alongside some of the world's most celebrated Beatboxers, Basketballers, BMX flatlanders and Break Dancers. Jesse Dayton (Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell )
Mostly focused creatively in the studio these days working with new artists creating their sounds, Mikey is building a bright career as a creative developer and co-writer.
Tom Corcoran
Tom Corcoran has been playing drums for over 25 years. He was the winner of Irish jazz futures award and received a scholarship as part of the international student programme to study drums at LA Music academy. While in LA, Tom studied under Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphries ,Mike Shapiro and Gary Hess. Tom was very active doing workshops, teaching and doing drum clinics around Ireland from 2005 - 2008 before he left to live in the States.
In 2010 due to his father’s ill health and untimely death, Tom returned home to Ireland to take over the family farm and business, putting his own music career on the back burner.
Tom still managed to find time to play whenever he could. Playing with The Magic Carpet Trio, CSL Parker, The Ramos project, Adam Nolan trio and many more. His performance at the Galway Drum Show is only the beginning for Tom and we are sure he will come back with a bang.
Conor Guilfoyle
Conor Guilfoyle is one of Ireland’s foremost drummers and educators who has toured and recorded with some of the world’s finest jazz musicians. He currently teaches on the jazz programme in Dublin City University. His publications include:
Keeping the drummer occupied (LukaCon music ) Rhythmic Reading for Drummers (Schott music ) Performance Patterns (LuKaCon Music ) Odd Meter Clave (Schott Music )
Conor endorses Zildjian cymbals.
Alex Mey
Alex Mey is a 29 year-old prolific producer and drummer from Lisbon, Portugal, and a rising name in the international drumming scene, taking his creative and musical approach to drum grooves and innovative foot technique. He started playing at the age of 14 and with only a few months of tutoring started performing and doing concerts.
His passion and dedication showed from an early age and quickly found him getting called to play with more bands and artists, hitting the stages from the start. Since then Alex has played all over the place with various artists and bands, making some remarkable accomplishments early on Winner ForumMusicCamp 2009, the national Best Musicians Under-18 Contest Winner on the National Drummer Contest 2014
Alex’s journey through learning was self-taught, be it alone at home with drum-videos and exercise books, which led to very interesting paths of discovery rather than repetition. Years later, in order to further develop and solidify his playing he attended classes with renowned drummers such as JP Bouvet, Miguel Casais, Hugo Danin, and various clinics and from house-hold names such as Keith Carlock, Anika Nilles, Russ Miller, Mike Johnston, Craig Blundell, Chris Johnson, Richard Spaven, and more, absorbing from each drummer what he liked the most about their unique approach, to then express into his own.
Tickets:
The EXPO event takes place on the 11th at Studio@5 in Claregalway Corporate park. Tickets available at www.thegalwaydrumshow.com The Drum Intensive Masterlab with Claus Hessler on Saturday the 10th takes place in the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Galway, Tickets for this masterclass can be requested by emailing [email protected]
The Evans Snare tuning and maintenance and workshop which runs simultaneously to Claus’ masterclass is now fully booked.
For details of the event, see www.thegalwaydrumshow.com
