tambourines, dafs, dayerehs, high-range jingles, kanjiras and other South Indian frame drums, gospel music, mastering the Timbrel technique, bubens, CP wood tambourines, my latest acquisition -- an ancient Egyptian Riq tambourine, hip slapping, jingling, stroking.
Music
Juan Cervantes' "Tambourine Music of Central America," The Monkees, Fleetwood Mac, Ben Folds, Josie and the Pussycats.
Books
Grover & Whaley's The Art of Tambourine and Triangle Playing
Heroes
Davy Jones, Matt McKinzie, Liam Galagher, Peter Zarimba, Tracy Partridge, Juan Cervantes, Stevie Nicks, Kenny Aronoff, Corin Tucker, Hi-Hat Man
About me:
I am a professional tambourine player currently on tour all across the country. My tambourine work has been compared to that of legends such as Davy Jones of the Monkees and Stevie Nicks. I am not only a expert at the art of tambourine playing, but I am also a professional collector of exotic tambourines and other hand-percussion instruments from around the world which I have personally excavated in my travels. Though I have mastered almost all of these different types of tambourines, in my current professional career I play exclusively with LP's Cyclops tambourine with dimpled-brass jingles. I DO NOT USE NICKEL-PLATED STEEL-ALLOY JINGLES and I do NOT endorse the use of such. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up just yet, but I am "in talks" with a major percussion company to launch my own line of Kanjira-style frame drum tambourines which will feature my airbrushed portrait on the skin head.
To answer another recurring question from my fans, YES, I am also looking into recording a duet album with fellow jingler Hi-Hat Man. Due to both of our busy schedules touring worldwide, I'm not sure when it will happen, but TRUST ME when I say we're brainstorming how to make this possible for you guys!!!
Many people have asked me if I have advice for young up-and-coming hand-percussionists who want to have a long and varied career as I have had and to them I say "Just keep jinglin'." In the meantime, I highly recommend the below video tutorial by STAGG university's Matt McKenzie, a colleague of mine as WELL as a good friend.
Below is a video clip of me performing live. I appear at approximately 3:22 in the video. CHECK IT OUT!
Who I'd like to meet: Stevie Nicks, other tambourine and hand-percussion enthusiasts.
Hey Tambo! Excellent concert in Princeton. Your rhythms are contagious. I'll try to use them in my music class. I was the guy, Ken, you got to hang with after the show. Thanks for a great time. You guyds are the best. Give Ben my best, I didn't get to meet him or see him. Maybe next time. Oh, and tell Reynolds I'll be happy to come teach him about measures on the road so he can count with you. :) lol Good luck in Baltimore! :) Later, Ken
So, I like to check out the top friends from musicians sights, they usually have good musicians linked to their sites...but looking at your top friends made me wonder...how did a man so tied into the Christian music industry end up touring with Ben Folds? Just Curious.
Please support me in the Ben Folds TV video entry contest and view my performance of a cover song of his. I chose "Free Coffee" which is actually not out until September 30th. Every view counts towards a permanent spot on his new website. Thanks and have a good one! Ben Folds Cover - Free Coffee
