The Percussionists & Friends
Jerry Mayall
about:
Jerry has been playing music since the early 1970s and interactive with the percussion hand drum scene formerly provided service as a part-time music therapist. He is an accomplished artist with a long history and is often seen in the greater South Jersey and Philadelphia neighborhoods with upright or fretless electric bass playing for several established bands and acts in jazz, folk, pop, country or rock styles. He is the initial mastermind for the theme and concept of this event and a creative stories contributor. Jerry continues to be an ever evolving musical spirit for creative endeavors.
To find out more or to contact Jerry, please see:
Facebook: @jerry.mayall.1
Ed Wilcox
about:
Ed Wilcox spent 25 years leading the deafening Temple of Bon Matin. He has worked extensively with saxophonists Arthur Doyle, Marshall Allen of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Daniel Carter and Steve Mackay of the Stooges and made dozens of tours of North America, Europe and South America, including many solo performances.
For more information or to contact Ed please see:
Facebook: @ed.wilcox.927
You Tube: @EdwinWilcox-qv5yx
Band samples & information: temple of bon matin - Google Search
Karen Smith
about:
Karen "Magic Fingaz" Smith: Brooklyn Native, Philly Resident, is a Professional Percussionist, Playwright, Poet, Director, Teaching Artist, Curator and now a member of the Philadelphia Musician’s Union Local 77!!! Karen is a recipient of several grants including Leeway Foundation's Art and Change and Illuminate the Arts Grants. Ms. Smith is the Founder, Artistic Director and Lead Percussionist of The Karen Smith Experience (formerly called Weez the Peeples) and Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collectives. Called "Sounds of Freedom" by Philadelphia Inquirer, Ms. Smith has worked with many individual artists, groups, theatrical production companies, studio recordings and this past October of 2023, a week-long artistic event: Breast Cancer Awareness festival featuring Breast Cancer Surgeon, Dr. Monique Gary.
As of August 1, 2023, I’m delighted to share that I’ve received a Pew Fellowship from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage!! "Collaborations are the essence of my creative Journey and I am sure so many to come. It definitely feels like a highlight sharing OMAZING energies with various communities, organizations and individual artists! Truly One Nation Under a Drumbeat!! Possible is Possible is my daily mantra!”
to learn more about Karen, please visit:
Instagram: @Karen Smith Facebook: Karen Smith
Website: www.karensmithdrums.com
Mystic
about:
Mystic's two major musical influences were his mother and tabla teacher. His mother was a classical pianist although he never heard her play. She cut a nerve in her hand making a hamburger before he was born and already hadn't played piano in a very long time. But played music on the stereo all through his childhood, which had a great impact on him.
Hanging on street corners on south street watching street acts play, hanging out in coffee houses, he observed subcultures. At 26 he decided to become a percussionist and began Tabla under the tutelage of Lenny Seidman, a renowned world music artist and a World Music/Jaz Curator of the Painted Bride. Seidman's intense and sometimes grueling training prepared Mystic for stages to come. Mystic's travels and experience then extended to include witnessing many international acclaimed music acts which permanently expanded his musical consciousness. Now 35 years later Mystic's repertoire has covered many genres of music and hundreds of stages along the east coast, as well as radio, TV and some of the best recording studios. He left Indian classical music and went on to study Latin, African, Middle Eastern, South American percussion. These days Mystic is most known for congas but he plays an array of other drums and percussion. He presently is in a South Jersey band, "Heart and Soul" performing rock/ pop.
he says: "I infuse my knowledge of drum history into my performances."
Lisa Melian
about:
A South Jersey native who might be seen bringing unique accents into many favorite hangouts in local neighborhoods or joining friends with an amazing bag full of rhythmic tools or other 'beat-ables'. In the drumming world, Lisa fancies herself as a professional dabbler. She enjoys accompanying a variety of musicians complementing their many different styles and increasing the energetic vibes of every collaboration.
Lora Bloom
about:
Lora Bloom is a poet, musician/songwriter and spoken word performance artist. She is the vocalist of the experimental theatrical band Radio Eris who wrote and staged the rock opera “Eurydice” at the Rotunda in 2019. She is the author of “Poking Through the Fabric of the Light that Formed Us” which won the Blood Pudding Press chapbook contest in 2013. She was an owner and founder of the historic West Philadelphia venue Eris Temple Arts.
For more information about Radio Eris and additional links about Lora, please see:
https://radioeris.bandcamp.com/album/time-mind-sync-warp
Bella Q
about:
"Jack of all Trades", the person aka "BellaQ", in her other life is a globally well-traveled project manager, but sidelines as producer & general artist intermittently for charity/ special events and for music artists promotions. Performing professionally in groups in lead & instrumentals since early childhood to teens in acoustic regional events and folk music festivals, she started training by age 8 through a former golden era American Playhouse Theater director/stage artist in classical, Broadway & world folk in voice & multiple instruments. Then added stage acting and even oil/acrylic paintings by her 20s. Vocally she continued with Roscoe Gill Jr., then Owen Brown Jr. in gospel, jazz and modern styles. As a curious student of life in unrelated fields, she has rarely performed professionally since until reinvented as Bella Q as a "global challenge years" hobby. Now she enjoys playing folk/pop guitar/vocals solo or with others & composing originals. She has extensive experience of biological health, fitness & wellness sciences from her other life, and traditional healing arts like indigenous Quechua & TCM, contributing to neuroscience and meditative wellness aspects of music at this event.
*for contact or information regarding artists who did not provide contact details, please email below and we will do our best to connect you to your inquiry*
*temporary email contact: BellaQim3000@gmail.com