Issue 5 2013

"...with the musician Tom Teasley weaving a world's worth of musical threads together into a haunting soundscape" --Washington City Paper

I'm excited to welcome the new subscribers from the U.S., Europe, Middle East, and Africa. It's a joy to share my work and news throughout the world.

Just after returning from tour with Paul Reisler, Howard Levy, and others I began work on three separate video projects! My educational DVD, "An American Approach to World Percussion" is almost ready for manufacture. There has been some interest from outside publishers with worldwide distribution. I'll evaluate what seems to be the best option for all concerned and will let you know very soon. I am also working on a video project with my friend and performing partner for over 15 years, Charles Williams. It combines my love of setting poetry and prose to my original music. It also explores my interest in creative multi-media work. I'll have some clips to share in the next newsletter. In addition, I'm collecting some of my solo performances, Re-Imagining of Dadaist Art and other multi-media for a performance piece and documentary style release soon. I have a surprise narrator in mind. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, I'd like to share my new EPK (electronic press kit). It does a very nice job condensing many of my projects, travel, and music into a 5 minute piece.

Just this week I completed composing and recording music for an Inter-Act Story Theatre production of a new work, "Not My Monkey". It was a really fun project that included Balkan type rhythms combined with funky R&B sounds. I'm excited to be bringing projects to completion in my home studio. A free download is available at the end of this newsletter.

Concerts and Residencies

I am on tour with a full week of Young Audiences of Virginia performances throughout the Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads area. I performed a solo concert at Catholic Church of Saint Mark in Norfolk and I performed my original music with a screening of The Adventures of Prince Achmed at The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Norfolk. Today I'll be in a full day residency at Virginia Wesleyan University where I'll be performing and discussing my work as a world-fusion musician and cultural envoy.

At the end of September on the 29th at 7pm, I'll be presenting my solo performance "Modern Percussion From Ancient Traditions" as part of the Living Arts Concert Series. This performance is for all ages and I hope you can join me if you are in the area.The concert is in Burtonsville, MD (3315 Greencastle Rd), 301-236-5200.

This summer I had a great time presenting several clinics and workshops. Among my favorites were the The National Jazz Workshop where I gave a clinic for the percussion students as well as a full concert for the entire student body. One of my favorite residencies is my time at Legacy International. I worked with Iraqi and American youth on drumming techniques using many traditional Middle Eastern instruments. Then Charles Legacy International Legacy International Williams and I gave a full concert under the stars. What a beautiful evening it was. Special thanks to my sponsors: Vic Firth, Sabian, Yamaha, Remo, and LP Music for allowing these programs to take place.

Percussion Education, Music and Collaborations

My latest CD, "All The World's A Stage" continues to receive generous airplay internationally as well as positive reviews. Here is one from the Frederick News. You may preview and purchase that CD as well as my other releases on itunes.

I have been busy upgrading my teaching studio with concert percussion fromYamaha, world percussion from LP Music, as well as some electronics that include a new MalletKat, Wavedrum, looping devices and more. If you are interested in my eclectic approach to world percussion fused with American Jazz I invite you to visit the educational video page. I've been enjoying teaching students local to the Washington DC area as well as several who are traveling for lessons. Contact me regarding my intensive program for serious students interested in taking a multi-directional approach to their percussion education. In my next newsletter I will begin a feature to showcase some of my former and current students. I derive great joy from sharing my work and am so proud of how my students are taking our lessons and making the material their own.

There are a few collaborations I'm very excited about beginning to take shape. Jane Franklin Dance and I will be presenting several collaborations in January as well as a concert at Intersections Arts Festival in March. I'm also beginning to lay the groundwork for a collaboration with Moroccan virtuoso Rachid Halihal. I hope to have examples to share soon.

Please enjoy this version of "Mission Unmonkable" from Inter-Act Story Theatre's production on "Not My Monkey". It was recorded in my home studio. I'm playing daff, keyboards and vibes. It is available as a free download from my homepage. www.tomteasley.com

Peace, Salam, Shalom, Shanti,

Tom