12.27.07
Greetings Fellow Drummers!
Hello everyone. I hope you are all having a great summer. It’s hot as hell down here in New Orleans, but that’s the norm this time of year. My house in the Musician’s Village should be ready to move into in about 2 months. That’ll be a great day for me. I’m looking forward to rebuilding my recording studio, putting together a new band, and being able to practice again
The “New Orleans Gumbo Music Show” has been running now every Sunday at 7PM, CST, and is picking up steam. On August 10th, we’re adding video to the show so you’ll be able to see the guest of the week during the interview. Me & my guests are very excited about this new development. Go to www.solarguitars.com and you can log in to the live internet radio/video broadcast, but use Firefox as Inernet Explorer doesn’t work on the site yet. We’re still figuring out the bugs as to why this is happening. You can view who my guests will be on the “Gumbo Music Show” link on my Web Site. To see the “Gumbo” schedule, go to www.rickysebastian.com/gumbo.html . It’s a lot of fun!!!!!
The”The Crescent City Drum School” is in full swing and Hector Gallardo is now accepting students for private lessons and group classes to teach hand drums & latin percussion. Check the “Crescent City Drum School / CCDS” link on my Web Site for more details. It’s great to be teaching again, and Carlos & I are both very excited about the new school.
My agent, Emory White, and I are making headway in booking clinics nationwide, so check the “Schedule” page of my site to see where I’ll be performing, giving clinics, and when. If you know anyone interested, please point them to my web site, www.rickysebastian.com .
I’ve accepted the part-time band director position, which I’ll be starting on August 21st at Isidore Newman School.
Keep those emails coming in with your stories of adversity and I invite you to post comments on this blog for us. I will surely get back to you.
I’m honored that I’ve been invited to bring my band to perform at Carnival in Bahia, Brazil, next year. The dates are February 16th - 20th. I’ll be staying an extra week giving clinics and teaching. I’m also working on going to Rio de Jeneiro the following week for more gigs with some Brazilian friends/musicians, and a clinic there, so keep checking the “Schedule” page on my Web Site.
I completed my next article for Modern Drummer Magazine called “Fun With Flams“, submitted it for publication, and will keep you all posted on when it’ll be coming out.
That’s it for now. Again, I encourage all of you to post your stories on this Blog so that you can share them with the drumming community throughout the world.
Peace,
Ricky Sebastian
John Smith said,
December 31, 2007 at 6:45 am
This is a really nice web site. Do you teach summer camps?
Darian Eskan said,
January 3, 2008 at 9:50 am
YA! GO RICK!!!! U ROCK! \m/”(@_@)”\m/
Administrator said,
January 15, 2008 at 7:22 am
Yes, I do teach summer camps.
Ricky
Sam said,
February 14, 2008 at 11:05 am
Hi Ricky:
Just read you article in Modern Drummer on dealing with adversity, wow, the courage and great spiritual and mental attitude after all you have been through..amazing, and inspiring.
Please stop by Billy Wards site and say hello, Billy checks in with the motley crew that hangs at his message board daily.
http://p207.ezboard.com/fbillywardfrm1
Administrator said,
February 15, 2008 at 12:50 am
Thank you Sam. It was not easy to write that article, but I hoped it might help others in a similar situation. I’ll check out Billy’s message board. Thanks for the response.
Rick
ERIC BLUMER said,
February 19, 2008 at 4:36 pm
RICKY AFTER READING YOUR ARTIVLE IN APRILS ISSUE OF MODERN DRUMMER I WAS REALLY AMAZED AT YOUR PERSERVERANCE.
AND I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING BACK INTO DRUMS AFTER ALMOST 20 YEARS OF BEING OUT OF THEM. MAY GOD BLESS YOU RICKY FOR YOUR INSPIRING STORIES THAT HELP US ALL.
I WROTE YOUR MANAGEMENT TEAM AND THOUGTH IT WOULD BE REALLY COOL IF YOU COULD COME TO WASHINGTON STATE TO PUT ON A DRUM CLINIC AT…….DONN BENNETT DRUM STUDIO THE ONLY
(5 STAR) DRUM SHOP IN WASHINGTON STATE; IN BELLEVUE,WASHINGTON. HE HAS HAD STEVE SMITH THERE JUST RECENTLY. HE ALSO HAS ALOT OF HUGE NAMES AT HIS STUDIO ALL THE TIME.
I WOULD GO TO SEE YOU IF YOU CAME THERE. PLUS WE HAVE ALOT OF KILLER JAZZ PLACES AROUND THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
JAZZ ALLEY AND MORE
Tom Spicer said,
March 1, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Hey Rick!! I was trying to get a responce from the makers of my Tacoma bass guitar I use for KalimBass in, of course, Tacoma, WA. But Fender bought the factory and are making an inferior bass guitar though I hear that I can get one custom made the way they used to. I’d like to sign up for a co-workshop in Washington State. if possible and have sent your site page regarding clinics as per out conversations. Hang in there and we’ll go trapin and fishin when I get back there.
yours truly
T Spicer-www.kalimbass.com
(the co-dependant bass player)
Administrator said,
March 2, 2008 at 9:25 am
Thanks to all of you who have posted your stories in response to my MD article. When you do, you help those out there that are going through a hard time, which is the main reason I wrote the article in the 1st place.
Yours truly,
Ricky
Administrator said,
March 11, 2008 at 11:09 pm
This is a comment that the user couldn’t post himself, so he asked me to post it for him.
Ricky
I have played drums since the age of 14. Studying with many different teachers, and in many different styles along the way. But as many of us understand, music only paid the bills part time if at all, and income had to be derived from other sources. Out of high school, I made the choice to have a solid source of income, regardless of the area I lived in, and something I was proficient at. I chose the auto repair industry. As I advanced through the industry, including such accolades as A.S.E. and Ford Master Technician, all areas of diagnosis and repairing vehicles, and training new technicians, but the constant battle of caring for my hands (and body) became almost a daily issue. With each scratch, nick, cut or gash, the compromise of my passion vs. my sustenance, and the inevitable fate presenting it’s foregone conclusion.
At the time of my injury I was playing in the band CIVITA, located in the pacific North West. We were ramping up to go into the studio followed by local shows to support our efforts. It was a pretty average chaotic day at the Ford dealer, and being rushed as always, I was a little to careless with a pneumatic air hammer. While driving an axle assembly through a sealed hub unit, I disregarded the rule of never holding the work being driven. In a split second and I mean 1 second, the air hammer slipped and hit my left thumb dead center, at the last digit. The shock set in almost as soon as the pain, and with out being to graphic, I shattered the bone into countless fragments, destroyed the nerve and punctured the artery that ended there. It looked like I shot it with a 22. I still remember hearing the emergency room Dr. saying “we’ll do the best we can to save it, but won’t know for a few weeks”. “A FEW WEEKS”?!! And did you just say “SAVE IT”?!!!!!! Place your seat backs and tables into their upright and locked positions!
As far as my playing goes, I am usually a hard hitting, some what ambidextrous, into double bass type of drummer. As fate would have it I had been working through Ricky’s book, to hone my jazz and reading skills, and diversify my technique, in as much playing with traditional grip. For several weeks I couldn’t even hold the stick, let alone practice. Eventually I started to hold the sick thumb-less between my index and middle fingers. The pain was excruciating due to extensive nerve damage, shooting pain directly to my brain via my arm and neck. I committed to a pretty rigorous rehabilitation routine, relearning the basic strokes, grips and rudiments. Through a lot of pain and dedication, I was able to regain the use of my hand. When the bandages came off, my thumb had healed fairly well. The only permanent damage is a direct sore spot dead center (kinda feels like the result of baseball bat vibration) if I hit to hard, to much, and a deformed fingernail, that will never grow correctly again. Every few weeks I have to pull the part of it off that grow into the side of my thumb.
So that’s a brief synopsis of the injury, now for the inspiring part. Afterwards, an 15 years later, I decided to resign my position with Ford and pursue my passion. For several years I had considered studying drums at a college level, at Berklee. I had always wanted to study with certain people, that I not only admired but who had over came their own obstacle’s in life and playing. I left Seattle and relocated to Boston. I currently study privately with some of the most inspiring and top notch players, who have contributed mile stones to my life. I play in a very successful band, and most importantly for me, I am not torn between my passion and career. I still work on cars at my leisure, but the injury factor is greatly reduced. The last step I have taken is, as drummers, we are such physical beings. Even the lightest playing jazz player uses more of their body then the average person. So I have been focusing on physical well being, not ignoring aches and pains that arise as a result of playing and everyday life. I try to enjoy the playing and study rituals we go through on a daily basis. Also, a lot of stretching before playing and working out. Lastly; diet. If anyone is interested in any specific exercises or details on my personal routines feel free to email me.
Woggster
Administrator said,
March 12, 2008 at 8:40 am
Woggster, that was an awesome story to say the least. Thanks so much for posting it. You have a lot to offer in regards to recovery and I wish you all the best in your journey.
Ricky
Timothy Lee Cromer said,
March 20, 2008 at 12:11 am
Hola’ from Orlando “O’Town” Florida,
Ricky, just finished your article in Modern Drummer (Levon Helms & Steve Jordan on the cover) I just wanted to tell you that you are IN MY PRAYERS for
a speedy recovery, quick healing and GET BUSY funk-a-fying the drums!!!
I had the great pleasure of hearing you at a jazz festival here in Orlando when you were playing with Herbie Mann, Mr. Ricky you were SMOKING HOT
and slippery with your undeniable New Orleans brand of 2nd line SWAMP FUNK it was a delight to hear AND you energized Herbie’s music with your
supreme interpretation of it. You do your musical heritage PROUD BRO!!!
That said, get well, stay well and keep up posted on your Drum Camps, I’d
LOVE to attend one or one of your clinics as well.
I have saved your site and this blog to my favorites so I will be a ‘Frequent
Flyer’ checking in from time to time.
God BLESS you Ricky!!!
Administrator said,
March 28, 2008 at 8:14 am
Tim, thanks for your support. I absolutely remember that festival. Randy Brecker was playing with an organ group on the same festival as was the Dave Holland band.
It’s taking more time than I anticipated to set up clinics & drum camps but you can’t keep a good man down (lol). I’m going to start posting my schedule on the (of course) “Schedule” page of my web site as soon as things start to progress.
Thanks so much for the words of encouragement.
Ricky
chuuck schwartz said,
April 5, 2008 at 11:54 pm
rick hope you are doing well our drummr jabo is going to be gone for awhile and wondered if you might want to play.I imagine its not possible but cant hurt trying.I believe the dates would be in may .If you are interested please e mail back.You could send youe charts ahead and we could do some of those if we could play them,Its fucked up your not playing all the time .Im still in panama city.Hope your daughter is well(emily?) know katrina messed things up.Thanks chuck schwartz 850-2368482
Administrator said,
April 6, 2008 at 5:33 am
Hi Chuck. Great to hear from you. Yes, I’m interested in doing the gig. I’ll email you concerning details. Thanks for posting a comment on my blog. New Orleans is still dealing with a lot of problems and will be for years. It’s hard living here, but this is where I want to be right now.
Peace & out!
Ricky
eponymous said,
April 15, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Hi Ricky nice site and thanks for emilaing me back….im looking forward to checking out your book, the feel of all the new orleans stuff is simply amazing. I wish i had the chance to go to preservation hall when i was over but sadly didnt get the chance. I hope one day new orleans will get the attention it deserves…..theres no other place like it in the world.
Administrator said,
April 16, 2008 at 6:53 am
Eponymous, thanks for checking out the site. Getting the video clips up is giving me a fit ’cause I don’t have enough time using Flash to know what I need to do. But I’ll figure it out eventually. I did an awesome concert playing the music of Tony Williams Lifetime band and that’s one of the things I want to put video up on.
Thanks for the comment and good luck with everything.
Ricky
eponymous said,
April 19, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Would love to see some of them clips, are they available to view any were else on the internet? good luck with flash, im useless with computers…
Administrator said,
April 20, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Hey eponymous. I’m working on getting the video up but it’s taking time as I’m still learning how to use Flash. Just wanted to let you and everyone else know that I’m on it and also working on getting some MP3’s of my CD & other gigs on my web site.
Thanks for writing and all the best.
Ricky
Calvin Turner said,
April 25, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Hey Ricky, just saw your site and wanted to stop by and say hello my friend. Hope you are well!
Calvin
Pat said,
April 26, 2008 at 8:39 am
I was just checking out your web site and wondered if you are playing at Jazz Fest this year…..Hope all is well with you…..much love pat
Administrator said,
April 28, 2008 at 1:49 am
Hey Calvin. Great to hear from you brother. Where are U living these days? I’m back in N.O. waiting for my house in the Musician’s Village to be completed, which should be about another 3 months. Let me know what’s up with you bro! I just started a new drum school here called the “Crescent City Drum School” at Allied Music. Email me when U get a sec, and we’ll catch up. I hope all is well with you.
Rick
Administrator said,
April 28, 2008 at 1:50 am
Hi Pat. Thanks for commenting on my blog. I played at Jazz Fest yesterday (Saturday, April 26th) for 2 amazing gigs. I hope all is well with you and give me a call when you get a chance.
Rick