Gary France is a passionate advocate for music education throughout the world. He presents workshops, motivational speeches and concerts in the widest range of musical genres including jazz, commercial, world and classical music’s. He received his Bachelor of Music degree, Music Education, in 1979, from the Crane School of Music,…
SDS Performer Profile »

GARY FRANCE – DRUM CIRCLE FACILITATOR
KASEY CHAMBERS NATIONAL ‘DRAGONFLY’ TOUR

To celebrate the recent No.1 ARIA Chart debut of her 11th Studio album “Dragonfly”, Kasey Chambers announces the first dates of her 2017 “Dragonfly Tour’”. “Dragonfly” is Kasey’s 5th number 1 album and proves, that one of Australia’s most loved and accomplished performers’ is unquestionably at the top of her…

ROBERT SMITH (AMERICAN DOUBLES) – BASS
Melbourne-based electronic duo, AMERICAN DOUBLES have recently released their debut single The Swell, a luminous track steeped in blithe nostalgia. To accompany the track, the pair have released a spectacularly have-to-see-it-to-believe-it video, co-directed by Daniel and Jarred Daperis of LateNite Films (RÜFÜS) and filmed almost entirely underwater (See it below)….

CONGA RHYTHMS PART 2
Ahead of the Sydney Drum & Percussion Show (May 27 & 28 Rosehill Gardens), acclaimed international percussionist and educator Alex Pertout, takes us through some more conga drum patterns. Alex’s credits include Powderfinger, Paul Kelly, Jackson Browne, Little River Band w/John Farnham, Archie Roach, Hunters & Collectors, Daryl Braithwaite, Ute…

SD&P SHOW TIP: SINGLE PARADIDDLE
Respected Melbourne-based drummer Gerry Pantazis presents a series of lessons on basic drum rudiments. This time it’s the single paradiddle. Gerry has performed and/or recorded with artists including Tommy Emmanuel, Larry Carlton, Guy Sebastian, Anthony Callea, David Campbell, Olivia Newton John, Stylus, The Seekers, Roachford (UK) and more He is…

APAKATJAH: THE ‘IN BETWEEN’ INTERVIEW
With their debut album In Between out on March 31 and a Midnight Oil support slot in October, Apakatjah’s Dion and Jonathan tell AM’s Greg Phillips that they are excited for the future. Apakatjah is Alice Springs duo Dion Forrester and Jonathan Lindsay-Tjapaltjarri Hermawan. The word Apakatjah refers to the…

MICHAEL SCHACK IS PUMPED FOR SD&P SHOW
Belgian drummer Michael Schack tells us he is keen to get to Australia for the Sydney Drum & Percussion Show May 27 & 28 Rosehill Gardens You might already have seen drummer/producer Michael Schack performing on big festival stages, in clubs or concert venues in Australia and New Zealand as…

SPOON’S JIM ENO TALKS DRUMS + GIG REVIEW
JIM ENO INTERVIEW by Greg Phillips SPOON GIG REVIEW by Elyce Phillips Texan rock troubadours Spoon were recently in Australia playing tracks from their new studio album Hot Thoughts to full houses nationwide. It’s an album which had its beginnings in Melbourne Australia. Lead singer Britt Daniel rented a property…

JON STEVENS: THE ‘STARLIGHT’ INTERVIEW
He’s the former frontman of multi-platinum-selling band, Noiseworks. He also fronted INXS after the death of Michael Hutchence and spent time singing with international act, Dead Daisies. However Jon Stevens has been a successful solo artist longer than any time he spent with those projects and on Friday March 31,…

DRUMFILL
drumfill is a community percussion ensemble whose members range in age from 5 to 18 years of age. All drumfill members are also members of their school or a community concert band or orchestra when they are old enough to join. There are four drumfill percussion ensembles and they are…