Last Friday kicked off BCU's 2008 Homecoming as Alumni came in from all across the country to take part in this celebrated event. As part of the festivities Paiste artist Jonathan Davis was invited to perform a drum clinic at The Living Truth Christian Center located in Daytona, FL.
Growing up in a musically inclined family with a spiritual background, Jonathan James Davis has always been destined to be a great musician. As the youngest of three children from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis, Sr. the drums became of special interest to him at an early age. His performance experiences have welcomed him to studio recordings as well as live recordings.
Jonathan completed his first album Drums, Not Easy in December of 2004,and became a business owner of Drumming On The Edge, LLC in February of 2006 where he also teaches and writes for the drums.
One thing Davis touched on was that with all of todays resources for learning how to play drums it's still about personal instruction and personal experiences. Book, CD's, online lessons, and other forms of media still can't substitute the actual "experience"of watching people perform live music, and it continues to influence the next generation to this day.
During the clinic Jonathan performed several songs from his album Drums...Not Easy such as Durban Experience and Don't Drive, Just Bounce. Through his years of experience JD has become a true master of his instrument. He commands precision with every stroke while keeping a solid grrove laid down until he explodes across the kit with lightning speed."The generic everybody looks for in a drummer is to be able to keep time."
Some other points that were touched on during the clinic were setting practice goals and the basic importance of knowing one's rudiments, all of which are set to the click of a metronome. JD further went on to explain by providing examples of how to apply basic rudiments to the drum kit. One particular moment was listening to him break down the structure of odd- time signatures like 5/8, 7/8 and so on. This came largley in part from his studies while touring in South Africa in 2000 and 2005.
The first time I met Jonathan was when we competed against each other in the District Finals of the Guitar Center Drum Off. Since then I've seen watched his playing not only mature , but elevate to a level that has probably gone beyong HIS wildest dreams! With his professional career now only just beginning to truly scratch the surface, drum manufacturers will soon be lining up to endorse this up and coming superstar.
Find out more about Jonathan Davis and purchase his CD here http://www.drummingontheedge.com/
For all photos click here https://drummerconnection.com/v/Users/webadmin/Jonathan+Davis+Drum+Cl...
And make sure to check out all the featured video on JD tearing it up!!!!!
Source: Drumming on the Edge