PercussionArts

School for African, Cuban, Latin and Indian Rhythm und Percussion

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Introducing the School

PercussionArts is a school of African, Cuban, Latin and Indian rhythms and percussion. The school is located in a historic factory building in Siebnen, Central Switzerland,"Alte Spinnerei", Fabrikstr. 28, 8854 Siebnen.

We also teach at The TheNewDrumAndPercussionSchool run by Alex Eichenberger in Bilten, Switzerland, and at the music school "stimmen, voices, voces del mundo" (Untere Altstadt 25, 6300 Zug, Switzerland).

A wide range of courses, workshops and private sessions allow you to immerse yourself in the drumming cultures of Africa, Cuba, Latin-America and India and to develop your skills to the highest level. We provide extensive course materials to give you an in-depth view of the history, theory and practice of these drumming cultures. Instruments such as djembés, doundoums, congas, timbales, assorted small percussion instruments, tablas, pakhawaj etc. are available for use during lessons - you can also purchase or rent highest quality African, Latin and lndian drums and percussion-related instruments (visit our 'online shop').

PercussionArts is run by Jörg J. Kaufmann. Jörg's interest in non-European drumming cultures was kindled when he was 12-years old. Since then he has studied and researched African, Latin-American and Indian rhythms and percussion with great passion and extraordinary commitment (see his biography below).

With 25 years of experience, Jörg guarantees you a first class learning experience regardless of your ambitions, needs or skill level!

Biography

Jörg Joshua Kaufmann (1964)

1976-1982 First drumming experiences – lessons and workshops

with various Swiss percussionists.

Studies of Afro-Cuban Percussion

1982-1994 Study of history, theory and practice of conga, timbales

and small percussion at the St. Gallen Jazz School (1982-1984) and

Zürich Jazz School (1984-1988) with Willy Kotoun.

Studies of African Percussion

1985-1996 Djembé, Doundoum (bass drum) and assorted small

percussion instruments with African drumming masters such as

Adama Dramé, Soungalo Coulibali and Louis César Ewandé, as well

as with various Swiss percussionists such as Peo Oertli, Tini Hägler, etc.

Studies of Indian Percussion

Jörg lived in Northern-India (mainly in Varanasi) for 12 years from 1991-2003 where he researched and studied intensively the barrel-shaped pakhawaj drum (Mridang) considered the "mother" of classic Indian percussion instruments. He focused on a range of different styles that are still being played today (Kudou Singh Gharana, Nana Saheb Pansee Gharana and Nathdura Gharana). He lived and studied with the greatest masters according to the traditional Indian principle of "Guru-Shishya-Pampara".

1991-1997 Mohan Prasad Tiwari (Varanasi)

1991-1992 Pt. Arjun Shejwal (Bombay)

1991-2000 Helmut Waibl (Student von Pt. Tribuon Upadhyaya und Pt.Ramji Upadhyaya)

1994-1996 Raja Chatrapati Singh Ju Deo (Bijna, Madya Pradesh)

1995-2000 Pt. Ramji Upadhyaya (Ishwarpur, Bihar) & Sohn Ravi Shankar Upadhyaya (Allahabad, U.P.)

1997-2003 Pt. Pannalal Upadhyaya & Sohn Ashutosh Upadhyaya (Patna, Bihar)

1998-2000 Pt. Tribuon Upadhyaya (Indupur, Uttar Pradesh)

2000-2003 Krishnadas Gujrati (Varanasi)

2000-2002 Pt. Chandra Kumar Mallick & Sohn Uday Kumar Mal

2002-2003 Mohan Shyam Sharma (Delhi)

1992-1995 Tabla-Diploma-Kurse an der Benares Hindu University

1996-1998 Pakhawaj-Diploma-Kurse an der Prayag Sangit Samiti Allahabad

While conducting his research, Jörg Kaufmann came across a range

of old books (Tal Manjeri, 1887; Mridang-Tabla Vadanpaddhati, 1903;

Mridang Sagar, 1943; Mridang-Tabla Subodh, 1944; Tal-Dipika, 1953;

Mridang-Tabla Brabhakar, 1958; Mridang Ank, 1964). The study of this

literature allowed him an unparalleled insight into a culture that is

difficult for foreigners to access. Eventually Jörg achieved such a high

level of knowledge and mastery that the Indian Dhrupad and Pakhawaj

Society accorded to him the highest level of respect by acknowledging

him as a representative of this genre of drumming.

Padma Vibhushan Pt. Kishan Maharaj, one of the finest tabla players of

our time, hails from an old tradition with extensive knowledge of the

pakhawaj – he was impressed by Jörg's playing and invited him to his

house to expand his knowledge and practice.

Teaching Experience (Individual tuition and workshops)

Since 1985 - Afro-Cuban rhythms and percussion

Since 1987 - African rhythms and percussion

Since 1994 - Pakhawaj and Tabla

2004 - Involved with the world music shop "Rainbow-Shop" in Pfäffikon SZ (Switzerland)

2004 - Involved with the Schlag.Zeug.Atelier in Zug (Switzerland)

2005 - Founder of "PercussionArts", his own school of rhythms and percussion in Siebnen (Switzerland)

Concert Performances (Solo, group und accompaniments of dancers)

Since 1985 - Involvement in various jazz-, funk- and percussions outfits and Afro-Dance projects

Since 1986 - Accompaniments at Afro-dance workshops

Since 1993 - Accompaniments at dhrupad workshops

Since 1994 - Indian music concerts

A Selection of Concerts in India

- Dhrupad Mela, Varanasi (1995-2001)
- Dhrupad Samaroh, Aurangabad (1996)
- Rama Krishna Mission, Varanasi (1998)
- Barsi, Tribute to Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, Mumbay (organisiert durch Dagar Memorial Trust, 1999)
- American Institute of Indian Studies, Delhi (1999)
- Indian Habitat World Centre, Delhi (2000/01)
- Gopal Mandir Temple, Varanasi (1998-2003)

A Selection of Concerts in Europe

- "Salon de musique" in Suresnes , Paris (1995/99)
- Mandapa Centre, Paris (1995/99)
- Nadopasana Centre, Paris (2000)
- Festival in Saint Florin le Viel "Les orientales", Frankreich (2000)
- Landesbibliothek Bregenz, Oesterreich (2003)
- Rietberg Museum, Zürich (2001/04)
- Stadthaus Zürich (2004)