Grover Pro Percussion endorser Dave Danford is preparing for a major solo recital tour which launches this autumn.The tour will be Dave’s biggest since his Rhythmic Renaissance Tour in 2007 which was to promote his solo album of the same name and included solo recital dates alongside guest soloist appearances with brass bands and wind orchestras. However this latest tour is entirely devoted to solo recital dates which Dave sees as a real chance to get back to what being a percussion soloist is all about: “Rather than concentrating on one particular style as a percussionist I’ve always endeavoured to perform in as wide a range of genres as possible. However, there’s no better showcase for solo repertoire than solo recitals.”
The chance to showcase new music for solo percussion was a major factor in the decision to do a purely recital-based tour as Dave explains: “Since the last tour I’ve been busy commissioning new works from a number of contemporary composers. The first of these was Nightlife, a three-movement sonata for marimba and piano from Gareth Wood. It’s probably the finest piece I’ve ever had written and we had a great crowd reaction to the premiere at the Royal Northern College of Music in February. As well as a number of new commissions there are also some solo percussion classics included in the repertoire for the tour including works by Keiko Abe, Ney Rosauro and Matthias Schmitt. The tour will launch with a full length evening concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music; Drama on Friday 24th October 2008 and continues the following day at Wales Millennium Centre. Other dates on the tour are further afield spanning the whole length of the UK fromTrinity College, Carmarthen in West Wales to Durham University in the North East of England. A highlight of the tour is likely to be Dave’s South Bank debut, performing a lunchtime recital at the South Bank Centre in London on Friday 31st October 2008.”
Full tour dates and further details are available from Dave’s website: www.davedanford.co.uk
About the Author
Neil
Neil W. Grover holds the unique distinction of having performed with one of the world’s foremost orchestras, the Boston Symphony; with legendary rock bands like Aerosmith; and on John Williams’ soundtrack for Indiana Jones & The Temple of Doom.
For the past 28 years, Neil has gained worldwide visibility in the percussion section of the famed Boston Pops. Neil is one of the music industry’s most requested clinicians.
Neil is the author of Four Mallet Primer, and also co-author (with Garwood Whaley) of Triangle, Tambourine and Cymbal Technique, both published by Merideth Music. Neil has had numerous articles published in leading music journals including, Percussive Notes, School Band & Orchestra, and Drum Tracks. In addition, he has been the subject of feature articles in Percussive Notes, Modern Drummer, School Band & Orchestra, Drum Tracks, and Musical Merchandise Review.
As the Founder and President of Grover Pro Percussion, Neil Grover has been the world’s leading exponent of raising the standards of percussion instrument design and manufacturing. He has recently been featured on two episodes of “How It’s Made”, which airs worldwide on the Discovery Channel.
Neil Grover has been elected to six terms of office and has served on the Board of Directors of the Percussive Arts Society for 12 years. He is also a Trustee of the Winchester (Massachusetts) Community Music School, one of the country’s premier community music schools.
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