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Hi John My name is Osami and studied with the late great Alan Dawson circa 1975~78. Since back to Japan, My brother Tony Williams, Harvey Mason, Steve Smith, they did a great master class for my students. I've also published drum book in collaboration with Vinnie Colaiuta. DAWSONISMS: We are based on the group called "Dawsonisms" named by the founder of Modern Drummer Ron Spagnardi, which is the group of drummers who are trying to keep Alan Dawson's great treasure and legacy alive. Alan Dawson: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Alan Dawson (July 14, 1929 February 23, 1996) was a respected jazz drummer and widely influential percussion teacher based in Boston. Dawson is best remembered as an early teacher of Tony Williams, and Other former students include: Terri Lyne Carrington, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith, Kenwood Dennard, many others. He began teaching at Berklee College of Music in 1957. Dawson's teaching methods have been passed on by many of his former students. Books on his approach have been written by John Ramsay and Osami Mizuno, both former students. ---Finally if you have time to spare, i'd love to have your master class here in Tokyo during your next stay. Cheers, Osami
by Osami Mizuno (Tokyo Japan)September 20, 2014 1:45 AM
John, are the written materials from the MD 2011 Masterclass available somewhere?
by Kevin McNair (Hayward, CA)September 19, 2014 5:15 AM
Hello John, huge fan of your playing and study materials. Been working my way through newest installment 'Master Drummer' and its very motivational and challenging (and the advice you give is spot on). Anyways a few years ago I had the opportunity to meet Ingrid Jensen, and when I listed Bill Stewart as one of my favorite drummers she told me that she used to live with him, and that he would play along to jazz records for up to twelve hours a day, with big headphones on! This really motivated me, but I found myself always jumping around from artist to artist and song to song, never really finding an exact routine that worked for me. My question is, can you give me advice on how I should approach this aspect of practice, and/or a list of recordings that are great play alongs that perhaps I am overlooking?
by Devin Anderson (Austin, Tx)September 16, 2014 5:21 PM
John - Same question, details on Aug 5th? Thanks, Ron
by Ron Schulman (Home)July 7, 2014 9:44 PM
Thanks Mr Riley for your drums methods. They are very nice to practise. I'm very fond of the way you play drums. Sincerly yours from France.
by Pascal Combeau (France)July 4, 2014 2:18 PM
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