The 2009 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), held in Indianapolis, IN, is exceptionally noteworthy — not only has it been twenty-eight years (1981) since Indianapolis hosted PASIC, but this is the first time in history that the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) offices, museum, library and international convention have all been located in the same city. Coupled with the fact that PAS was incorporated in Indiana back in 1969, PASIC 2009 has indeed left its mark in this significant homecoming.
For those who have attended PAS conventions in the past, you know there’s never been a shortage of talented artists with high quality clinics, master classes, labs and performances. Although the slow US economy affected the convention slightly with fewer attendees and exhibitors, as compared to prior years, PASIC 2009 was a huge success with plenty of memorable moments to be had by all.
Although I took hundreds of photos and shot over 5-hours of video footage, with so much to see and do during the convention, I simply couldn’t experience it all. I will say, however, that I did my best to break the time barrier, moving from master class to clinic, performance to exhibit hall, often times within the same hour of the day, much to the chagrin of my feet, legs, back … you get the picture. Despite my arduous trek, PAS did a fine job of structuring the event, making prudent use of the newly remodeled Indiana Convention Center, now the seventeenth largest convention facility in the USA.
So here's my full report, complete with video footage and photo slideshows, from Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, November 12-14, 2009, at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, IN.
PART ONE
PASIC Thursday Report
includes video from the following:
- Spectrum Trio - World Showcase
- Christopher McLaurin - Symphonic Accessories Lab
- Exhibit Hall
- Michael Udow / Equilibrium Percussion Products
- University of Illinois Balinese Gamelan - Ensemble Showcase
- MTSU Drumline
- Sergio Bellotti - Drumset Clinic
- Zoro & Daniel Glass - Drumset Clinic
- Ju Percussion Group - Evening Concert
PART TWO
PASIC Friday Report
includes video from the following:
- Layne Redmond - World Workshop
- Badaboum CRR de Paris - Competition Showcase Concert
- UNT Percussion Ensemble - Competition Showcase Concert
- Nicholas Ormrod - Symphonic Snare Lab
- Tobias Ralph - Drumset Clinic
- Marc Damoulakis - Symphonic Cymbal Lab
- Patrick Graham - World Clinic
- Benny Greb - Drumset Clinic
- John Wooton - World Clinic/Performance
- Akira Jimbo - Drumset Clinic
- Amores Grup De' Percussio' - Evening Concert
- Dick Sisto & End of Time Quartet (featuring Ed Soph, drums) - Club.PAS
- Exhibit Hall - Generation Custom Drums, Percussive Harmonic Instrument, Bass Drum Lift, Sticks 'n' Skins, Matt Nolan Custom, Drum Craft, Tycoon Percussion, Legacy Percussion Gear, and more!)
PART THREE
PASIC Saturday Report
includes video from the following:
- Ed Shaughnessy - Drumset FUNdamentals
- Jack DeJohnette - Drumset Clinic
- Pius Cheung - Marimba Clinic
- Virgil Donati - Drumset Clinic
- Tommy Igoe and the Birdland Big Band - Evening Concert
- Interview with Drummer Cafe "Chef de Partie", David Stanoch
- Product close-ups with Xylosynth, SuperDrum, VocalBooth, Ludwig Drums - Epic Series, Pat Petrillo's P4 Practice Pad, The Black Swan, Korg Wavedrum, White & Son Custom Percussion, and Black Swamp Percussion.
Bart Elliott is a degreed professional musician and founder of the Drummer Cafe. His 35+ years in the music industry, over 100 albums to his credit, as well as his understanding of contemporary and classical music, makes him a complete and skilled master musician. A highly sought after drummer and percussionist, both live and in the studio, Bart is widely known as a top music educator and gifted teacher, appearing as a guest artist and clinician throughout the USA. He currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.