On Saturday Night, November 22nd, Westchester drummer
and music teacher JJ Clarke held her 7th annual, An Evening of Drummers at the Somers
Community Center in Shenorock. A vehicle
to build community and confidence, Clarke’s presence definitely seemed to bind
the affair of about 100 parents and 22 drummers, but shoring up the certainty
with a good gig wasn’t only for the kids.
“I get so nervous, but as soon as the first note is dropped, my
ears kick in and I’m so proud,” said Clarke before the show
began.
Debe Stellio of Bedford did not share the same preshow jitters for
her son Vincent, who was slated to slam out AC/DC’s Highway to Hell. Having the
decibels properly stacked at home could speak directly to that. “Monday through
Thursday, he’s not allowed to play computer games, but as far as music and
practicing, it can never be too loud, too early or too late,” said Stellio.
Before six year old Daniella Sardo took the sticks for Queen’s We Will Rock You, Clarke laid out the
fundamentals for the evening. “We’re all working on listening and playing in
time,” said Clarke.
The first of three Sardo’s to take the stage, Daniella definitely
rocked the 70s anthem for the audience and paved the way for another classic.
“Walk this Way has this challenging
syncopated beat. The drummer has to listen, play in time, and relax so they can
alternate between even and odd numbered portions,” said Clarke.
Luke Kovensky then made no apologies for mastering a one hit wonder
that certainly appeased parents who remembered coming of age with it. “Who
remembers the 80s,” Clarke introduced “Don’t You Forget About Me, the Simple
Minds song from the Breakfast Club.
Not afraid to complicate matters, Drew Pohle rose to the challenge
of delivering a song called Galactic
by Cineramascope. “A fusion of funk, New Orleans style, Rap and Jazz, said
Clarke, “It really runs the gamut.”
Of course, there’s no way to go wrong with the Beatle’s and just
because they resonate so universally doesn’t mean there’s anything simplistic
about their sound. “They’ll do something incredibly hard and make it sound so
easily. Incorporating odd sequences of beats around a beautiful melody, Here Comes the Sun may be their
greatest.”
The buildup in play, Steven Fay failed to miss a beat – even if he
didn’t quite carry Ringo’s mop top.
Ben Sisko, coming without Elvis Costello’s glasses, also made due
in What’s so Funny Bout Peace, Love and
Understanding and credits Clarke with bringing him to the next level after 8
years of training. “I’m getting a lot more out of it than with my other
teachers, because she’s a much better drummer than me,” said the 12 year
old.
Sisko’s Mom gave Clarke the thumbs up too. “She works well with his
personality,” said Cat Alessio. “She’s teaching him to listen and not
rush.”
Anna McKee made One
Direction of What Makes you
Beautiful and believes girls hold their own – despite their
underrepresentation in the world of drummers. “Girls are better because
everybody sees them as tiny, but then they turn out to be really aggressive as
drummers,” she asserted.
Even so, Vincent Stellio took the high road in his rendition of the
AC/DC Classic and knew where his audience was throughout. “I don’t have to look
at the sheet music, because it’s in my muscle memory,” he said. “I just know the
song by heart.”
Either way, his mom was pumped. “I’m blown away,” said Debe
Stellio.
She
wasn’t the only one.
A most excellent article and,Wow, how times have changed. Music was and always will be my passion and Drums and Singing are my thing! I'll surely check out more of your Music articles bit by bit as I work as a home renovator! Pooped today! :-) Thanks for writing Rich as i'll always consider Somers as my Home Town!!! I was sad to hear of Doc Nuccio's passing and don't know if Mr. Lesley is still around. I'll dig deeper soon on that one. Saw articles on Motown Etc.. I'll get to them ASAP.. Thanks Rich & God Bless..................
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