Hi. My name is Johnny. I play percussion, didgeridoo, Native American flute, synthesizer and am trying to learn to sing better.
I grew up studying music in the classical western style, started taking guitar lessons at an early age and went on to study flute.
It was not until later in life that I discovered a different approach to music that would free me from the constraints of western music structure and allow me to play from the soul rather than the brain. What I am referring to is the indigenous music of Africa and Australia.
I spent 3 years under the tutelage of Maputo Mensah and then Nii Armah Sowah, master drummers from Ghana. I traveled to Ghana in 2003 to experience Africa first-hand and, quite frankly, it changed my life.
Playing didgeridoo has greatly influenced my flute playing as I have discovered that it is relatively easy to circular breathe on the Native American flute. This allows me to hold a tone indefinitely and play with a different style.
I have traveled to Australia for the Garma Festival, a gathering of over 20 Yolngu clans along with visitors from all over the world. The Yolngu people taught me how to breathe, how to relax and how to really play didgeridoo (which they refer to as Yidaki). I had to learn all over again after sharing time with the real masters.
I've been doing the band thing for the last few years under the name of MAK Tribal Jam Band. We have some great musicians and our sound keeps evolving and getting better and, I like to think, more creative in a truly unique way that defies traditional Western music structure.
