We are proud to announce the latest addition to the Gon Bops Artist Family, one of the world’s most influential Latin percussionists, Orestes Vilato!

Originally from Cuba, Orestes’ unique style on timbales is one of the most emulated in Latin music. His artistry has graced both the stage and studio, and he has performed with a Who’s Who of musical legends, from Aretha Franklin to Carlos Santana. In 1995, Orestes earned a Grammy nomination for the groundbreaking album “Ritmo y Candela” alongside fellow Cuban percussion legends Carlos ‘Patato’ Valdez and Jose Luis Quintana (Changuito).

His performances have also graced the Grammy-winning albums of Cuban bassist/composer and original Mambo King, Israel ‘Cachao’ Lopez. Orestes also received a Latin Grammy nomination for his 2009 solo CD, “It’s About Time”.

Over the decades Orestes’ credits include a nine year-stint with Santana, and recordings and performances with Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Herbie Hancock, Linda Ronstadt, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, Dave Valentin, Paco De Lucia and many others.

The Gon Bops team is excited and honoured to be working with Orestes; we look forward to many years of collaboration and inspiration.

To learn more about Orestes Vilato, please visit www.orestesvilato.com.

 

One of the most innovative and highly acclaimed drummers ever to hail from New Orleans, Zigaboo Modeliste has joined the Gon Bops International Artists Program. Best known as a founding member of funk group The Meters, his creativity has been a wellspring of Funk chops for over three decades of musicians.

He remains a dynamic influence on contemporary drummers and his syncopated style has served as the source for countless hip-hop and drum and bass samplers. His percolating swamp patterns have influenced countless funk drummers including Johnny Vidacovich, Herlin Riley, Richie Hayward, David Garibaldi, and Stanton Moore.

“I love Gon Bops instruments,” exclaims Modeliste. “I love the quality, the look, the sound, even the name! It’s truly an honour to play the oldest and most respected percussion brand in the USA – this really opens up new possibilities in my playing.”

“I can’t say enough about having an artist like Zigaboo join our growing Gon Bops family.” says Gon Bops Executive Director Lane Davy. “I know it’s a term that gets bandied about in our industry, but Zigaboo is a legend in the true sense of the word. You just can’t count the number of musicians he has inspired.”

A New Orleans native, Modeliste makes his home in Berkeley, CA, where he continues to own the patent on snaky second-line funk grooves

Rich Redmond, top call Nashville recording drummer and percussionist, has just announced he is joining the Gon Bops family of artists. Rich’s versatile, dynamic and very musical playing style is the sound behind many of today’s top talents. Thompson Square, Jason Aldean, Bryan Adams, Jewel and Miranda Lambert are only a tiny few of the artists Rich has played with; there are dozens and dozens more. He has played on multiple number one hits, sold millions of records and made a huge mark in Nashville and beyond.

Rich has also appeared on the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Country Music Awards, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Craig Ferguson Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Good Morning America, and many other programs and networks.

“I’m really happy to be joining the GON BOPS family,” writes Redmond “It’s a legendary brand and I truly appreciate the touch and feel of these wonderful instruments. The design and craftsmanship is unmatched, in my opinion.”

“Having Rich join our GON BOPS family is fantastic,” adds GON BOPS International Sales Manager Terry Ryan. “Without a doubt, he is one of the best, and busiest, in the business. It really puts Gon Bops on some of the most prominent stages and studios in the world.”

Currently a resident of Nashville, Rich also stays busy with his CRASH course for success, the very successful motivational drum events he launched that delve into the musical, mental and business skills necessary to succeed in the music business.

Zac Brown has just announced that “Uncaged”, the band’s latest album, will be released on July 10, 2012. The band has also just added percussionist Daniel de los Reyes to its line-up. Adding Reyes to the current rhythm section of bassist John Driskell Hopkins and drummer Chris Fryar allows the band to expand its sound into new territory. Daniel has performed with Earth, Wind & Fire, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Don Henley, Peter Frampton, Jennifer Lopez and many more.

“[It] creates a new kind of pulse within the band,” leader Zac told the Associated Press, noting that the band’s music is “really about making people dance.”

Zac Brown Band’s current lineup consists of singer/guitarist Zac Brown, violinist/singer Jimmy DeMartini, bassist/singer John Driskell Hopkins, guitarist/organist Coy Bowles, multi-instrumentalist/singer Clay Cook and drummer Chris Fryar.

GON BOPS has just announced that Daniel Adair, drummer for Canadian multi-platinum recording artists Nickelback, has come into their artists fold. Daniel is one of the most exciting drummers on the scene today, and besides his well-known work with Nickelback, he has also performed with major artists like Theory of a Deadman, Billy Gibbons and Lynyrd Skynyrd, to name but a few.

Although best known as a drumset player, Daniel is often called upon to provide percussion accompaniment in studio, especially his own Vault 101 recording facility. Recent recordings featuring Daniel on percussion are the Jet Black Stare album “In This Life,” and Joel Hoekstra’s “13 Acoustic Songs.”

“Joining the GON BOPS family was an easy decision for me,” writes Adair. “It’s a brand that has always been on my radar, and now that I’ve had a chance to see, touch and play the instruments, I’m truly impressed by the design and craftsmanship. I often get the call to provide percussion parts while recording, so I’m excited to get GON BOPS into my studio.”

“We’re thrilled that Daniel has joined the GON BOPS family,” adds GON BOPS International Sales Manager Terry Ryan. “Daniel is very well known in the industry, and his presence on the roster has strengthened our brand immensely.”

Brent Fitz, Canadian born drummer and recording artist has just announced he is joining GON BOPS’ growing artist roster. Best known as a drummer, Brent is well known for his work with Theory of a Deadman, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Union, The Guess Who, Lamya, Streetheart, Harlequin, Econoline Crush, and Indigenous. He is currently the drummer for former Guns’n’Roses/Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash.

“Brent is one of the most sought after drummers working today. His resume reads like a who’s who of Rock N’ Roll! He brings a professional, no-drama vibe with him where ever he goes, and we’re honored he has joined our family”, says GON BOPS International Sales Manager Terry Ryan.

Brent got his start playing drums at a very young age and participated heavily in his middle school and high school music programs. He began formal training in music theory from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) as a child and continued throughout his teenage years. He’s a skilled piano player as well as a guitar player and back-up vocalist!

“I’m pretty psyched to be on the GON BOPS artist roster,” says Fitz. “I’ve already incorporated the Red Rock Bell into my set-up, and when I’m done the tour, I’ll definitely be sitting down to look at adding more GON BOPS to my rig.”

A native of Winnipeg, MB, Brent Fitz lived in LA for a number of years before moving to his current residence in Las Vegas.

Gon Bops endorser Phil Maturano has recently announced the launch of his highly-anticipated Inner Clock 2. An interactive play-along method that includes tunes, charts, insight, interviews, and much more, it’s the follow-up to his successful Hal Leonard release Inner Clock 1.

The Inner Clock method was conceived by Phil circa 1995 at P.I.T in LA. While teaching Big Band and Ensemble Technique, Phil noticed a huge gap in his students’ abilities to turn charts into music. While many were good readers, they couldn’t make the jump from the page to the heart!

As a result, Phil compiled sequenced parts of the musical phrases that gave them the most trouble. As a result, his students could now play over them and read the figures as many times as needed.

“Well, my little sequenced parts were a hit and soon all my students started asking for them,” comments Maturano.

In time, Phil zeroed in and discovered it wasn’t so much the reading as it was a lack of experience with subdivisions and phrases. Internalizing rhythmic figures and interpreting them meant returning to the basic principles of music.

And so, with the collaboration of a number of very generous musicians and friends, the Inner Clock method was born. His first book “Working the Inner Clock” (Hal Leonard) is used in drum schools and conservatories worldwide. The book is loved by all drummers who work with it and has proven to be a most effective tool in many areas of drumming.

For more information, and to sign up for 4 free IC2 video lessons, please visit philmaturanolessons.com.

GON BOPS has announced that Neil Sanderson, drummer for Canadian Platinum-selling recording artists Three Days Grace, has joined its growing artist roster. Listing his influences as John Bonham, Danny Carey and Phil Rudd, Neil plays a style that’s dynamic, and groove-heavy. Like the wide-open approach he takes to the kit, Neil leads a life that’s rich with nuance.

Although best known as a drumset player, Neil is a talented and dynamic multi-instrumentalist. Gon Bops Cowbells, Shakers and Tambourines are an essential part of his set-up. Gon Bops instruments will also play a significant role in his songwriting and studio work.

“I’m thrilled to be playing Gon Bops,” says Sanderson. “It’s a legendary brand, and I’m truly impressed with the design and craftsmanship. I’m really looking forward to getting more GON BOPS instruments into my studio.”

“It’s great to have Neil join the GON BOPS family,” adds GON BOPS International Sales Manager Terry Ryan. “He’s a great drummer, a wonderful individual, and having him on our roster certainly strengthens our brand.”

When he’s not touring and recording with Three Days Grace, Neil lives happily in Ontario, Canada.