Drums Fusion is a festival with a long history, which (during over a dozen editions) has hosted such great artists as Urszula Dudziak, Cindy Blackman Santana, Ania Rusowicz, John H. Beck, John R. Beck, Richard Bona, Stewart Copeland, David Friedman, Benny Greb, Skip Hadden, Claus Hessler, Marcin Jahr, Manu Katché, Pete Lockett, Dave Lombardo, Bernard Maseli, Ian Paice, Jacek Pelc, Michał Urbaniak, Pat Metheny featuring drummer Joe Dyson, Jeff Balard, UB40 feat. Ali Campbell, or Fun Lovin’ Criminals.
We had been there unofficially several times, but last year’s event was the first one we attended as members of the press. Unfortunately, only for three days, but getting away from daily tasks and responsibilities for a whole week (including two weekends) really wasn’t possible. We regret it, but that just could not be helped. Allow us to give you an account of what we saw and heard.
The venue for the official opening of the festival on Sunday, June 2, 2024 was Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz, Poland. It began with an award presentation. The recipients were Mateusz Krawczyk, Jacek Kwaśniak (head of the Children’s Recycling Orchestra based in Bydgoszcz), Czesław Bartkowski (jazz great whose career spans six decades), Jerzy Piotrowski (SBB, Czesław Niemen) and Cezary Konrad (Anna Maria Jopek, Krzysztof Cugowski, Pat Metheny) were inducted into the Polish Percussion Hall of Fame. The main musical attraction of the gala was Al Di Meola with his Acoustic Trio. It must be said that the audience reacted spontaneously to the performance by the leader (guitar), Peo Alfonsi (guitar) and drummer Sergio Martinez. As drummers, we absolutely have to note the latter’s fine playing and excellent understanding with the leader. The intro to “Mediterranean Sundance” from the famous “Friday Night in San Francisco” album, recorded by Di Meola with Paco De Lucia and John McLaughin, simply raised the roof.
The next day, the Municipal of Culture in Bydgoszcz, Poland, became the absolute center of percussion art in Poland (if not Europe) for several hours. The International Drum Forum held there featured Michal Dąbrówka, Cezary Konrad, Dano Šoltis and host Piotr Biskupski as speakers (fortunately equipped with drum sets). Dano Šoltis is a Slovak drummer, leading the Czech-Slovak jazz band Vertigo, and in Poland collaborating with vibraphonist Bernard Maseli and bassist Michal Barański in the MaBaSo project. He is also a noted educator who has an opinion on quite a number of matters relating to drums and percussion. He shared his insights on pulse and beat with IDF participants. He illustrated it with Piotr Biskupski – the gentlemen presented two different rhythms, but with a common pulse. There was also talk about having a technical foundation that allows one to improvise. Piotr Biskupski also spoke about the need to practice technique (rudiments) not for the sake of practicing per se, but in order to achieve a musical effect. Cezary Konrad, in turn, focused on a particular big band piece, on the example of which he illustrated his approach to arranging drum parts. A very engaging concept for a lecture, allowing a peek into how an outstanding musician works. Michał Dąbrówka pointed out the value of practicing in a symmetrical way, i.e. using all limbs, making the weak side work, starting patterns or phrases from both sides. He also mentioned practicing triplets, quintuplets or septuplets, things that are uncomfortable and less intuitive. A valuable event.
In the evening of that day, Senri Kawaguchi took over the stage of the Municipal Center of Culture in Bydgoszcz, Poland. This petite, unassuming and very modest girl from Japan has been quite a sensation in recent years in the drumming world, especially online (just take a look at the popular stuff she has done for Drumeo). One should not be fooled by her exterior. When she sits behind a drum kit, she plays hard, though swings at the same time. In the first part of the show, she played with an instrumental ensemble consisting of Bartosz Haliniak (alto saxophone), Sylwester Bugajak (guitar), Michal Szlempo (keyboards), Grzegorz Nadolny (bass guitar), and in the second part with the seventeen-piece Felix Jazz Orchestra led by Michal Szlempo. Senri showed that she knows how to handle dynamics – playing softly, then moving on to a strong rock beat, not shying away from playing double bass. There were also some juicy fills and engaging drum solos. We didn’t pick out the names of all the writers, because at some point on we simply let ourselves be swept away by the music. However, we did note that the pieces performed that evening were composed by, among others: Sylwester Bugajak, Michal Szlempo and Senri herself (the beautiful ballad “Longing Skyline”). In addition, the Orchestra together with Senri performed “Trains” – a classic tune by Steps Ahead. Those who were not there to witness that should regret it!
On Tuesday, June 4, in the same venue, we witnessed a performance by Jonathan Moffett, under the title “The Jonathan Moffett Drum Show”. Announced by Piotr Metz of Polish Radio Two, the artist received a standing ovation as soon as he entered the stage. The meeting with “Sugarfoot” began with an interview conducted by Mr. Metz. Moffett talked about his childhood in New Orleans, the beginnings of his musical path, moving to Los Angeles, meeting the Jackson family, and there were also anecdotes about Michael Jackson. The drummer was also presented with the “Master of Groove” award. Let’s move on to the performance itself, which was very dynamic and engaging despite the fact that there was only a single drummer on stage against a backdrop of Michael Jackson-related visuals. He kicked off with two groove killers – “Wanna Be Startin‘ Somethin’” and “Jam.” The latter featured the first instance of Sugarfoot’s trademark, which is choking his crash cymbals in time with Michael’s movements on the screen. The audience then heard “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “Billie Jean”, “Smooth Criminal”, “Earth Song” and a medley of “Black and White” and “Beat It”. There was also a solo based on the groove master’s… groove (you guessed it) with all kinds of bass drum patterns. The star drummer did not pass on a chance to do some more crash cymbal choking, which – let’s admit it – is very spectacular. A very interesting and dynamic show.
Another edition of the Drums Fusion festival is fast approaching and we can wholeheartedly recommend it to all you drum maniacs out there, who have not yet visited this neck of the woods.
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