News: Richie Hayward Benefit in San Jose, August 13, 2010

DRUM! Magazine — the leading magazine for drummers and percussionists worldwide — has announced the biggest drumming event ever to take place in Northern California. On Friday, August 13, drummers will descend on the San Jose Repertory Theatre in the heart of Silicon Valley to witness three of the world's most exciting drummers — extreme drumming sensation Marco Minnemann, Tower Of Power funk master David Garibaldi, and former Mars Volta wunderkind Thomas Pridgen — for an evening of mind-blowing drum clinics and performances. As a bonus, all attendees will receive free tickets to the George Clinton concert that follows the DRUM! Magazine Rhythm Night.

The DRUM! Magazine Rhythm Night will help kick off the 21st Annual AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, one of the largest open-air jazz festivals in the world. SJJF closes off the entire downtown area, erects multiple outdoor stages, and draws up to 100,000 music lovers who converge from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening to enjoy jazz, blues, salsa, Latin, R&B, electronica, and many other forms of contemporary music.

All revenue generated from DRUM! Magazine Rhythm Night will be donated to Richie Hayward, founding drummer for seminal American roots-rock band Little Feat. In 2009, Hayward announced that he had contracted severe liver disease. Since then he has battled the condition without the benefit of health insurance. In addition to revenue generated by ticket sales, a wide range of drum and percussion companies have contributed percussion gear for a raffle to be drawn at the event, with proceeds also donated to Hayward's fund.

Tickets for DRUM! Magazine Rhythm Night are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and are available at drummagazine. com/rhythmnight. Cosponsors for DRUM! Magazine Rhythm Night include Audix, DW, Evans, Hardcase, Remo, Sabian, Shure, Vic Firth, Yamaha, and Zildjian.

ABOUT DAVID GARIBALDI

Famed for his funk drumming style and integration of Afro Caribbean rhythms, David Garibaldi is no stranger to Bay Area fans. The Oakland native served in the U.S. Air Force Band during the Vietnam era and then joined Tower Of Power on his return home in 1970. In TOP he became known globally as a funk innovator, whose techniques have inspired several generations of drummers. His credits include work with artists such as Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, Larry Carlton, Mickey Hart's Planet Drum, Jermaine Jackson, Ray Obiedo, The Buddy Rich Orchestra, Boz Scaggs, Gino Vanelli, Deniece Williams, Yellowjackets, and Wishful Thinking.

ABOUT THOMAS PRIDGEN

Thomas Pridgen has squeezed a lifetime of accomplishments into his 27 years. A year after winning the prestigious Guitar Center Drum-Off at age ten, Pridgen became the youngest drummer to endorse Zildjian cymbals in the company's 400-year history. He studied with Dave Garibaldi, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Troy Lucketta, and Curtis Nutall, and received a scholarship to the Berklee College Of Music at the tender age of 15, once again breaking a record as the youngest recipient of such an honor. In 2007 — after playing a host of recording sessions with various San Francisco Bay Area gospel artists, as well as appearing on commercial releases by Eric Gales and Michael Lee Firkins — Pridgen took over the drum chair for progressive rock outfit The Mars Volta. He recorded the band's releases Bedlam In Goliath (which earned the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance) and Octahedron before exiting the group in 2009. Pridgen won DRUM! Magazine's Rising Star Of The Year award in the 2008 and 2009 Drummies! Readers' Poll.

ABOUT MARCO MINNEMANN

German native Marco Minnemann is considered by his peers as one of the most gifted, innovative, cutting-edge drummers working today. He has won numerous awards for his educational drum books and videos and is known for an unusual drum kit setup, which includes an array of multiple foot pedals, gong drum, electronics, and unique cymbal configurations,combined with his unequaled command of four-way independence. Minnemann is not only a great drummer; but is also a musical Renaissance man. His eclectic musical skills include composing, producing, and engineering, as well as being a multi-instrumentalist on guitar, bass, keyboards, and other instruments.

ABOUT SAN JOSE JAZZ

San Jose Jazz is a 22-year-old public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting jazz music and jazz education through performance and instruction to enrich the lives of the people in our community. San Jose Jazz serves San Jose, California and the Silicon Valley, one of the most richly diverse and rapidly growing regions in the U.S. jazzfest.sanjosejazz.org

ABOUT SAN JOSE REPERTORY THEATRE

The mission of the San Jose Repertory Theatre is to engage, entertain, and inspire people. SJ Rep produces innovative theatrical performances that offer fresh perspectives into the human condition, educational programs that promote lifelong learning, and outreach initiatives that benefit the city's diverse community. Founded in 1980, The Rep recently moved into a new purpose-built, 600-seat theater in the heart of downtown. sjrep.com

ABOUT DRUM! MAGAZINE

DRUM! is a North American educational drumming magazine. It features artist profiles, product reviews, lessons, and advanced transcriptions covering rock, pop, and related styles of music. The magazine was launched in 1991 with Andy Doerschuk as editor, and has since gained a reputation for its coverage of younger drummers in contemporary styles. drummagazine.com

DRUM! Magazine Rhythm Night

August 13, 2010 6:30–8:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30) Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door drummagazine.com/rhythmnight

San Jose Repertory Theater

101 Paseo De San Antonio San Jose, CA 95113

For more information:

Andy Doerschuk Editorial Director, DRUM! Magazine 408-971-9794, ex. 215 andy@drumlink.com