I’ll be playing live on-air at KEXP 90.3 tomorrow at noon (PST) along with my brother Jherek on Cheryl Waters’ show to promote Saturday’s show at the Moore Theater. Tune in from anywhere in the world at www.kexp.org.
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Big Show December 1
I wanted to let you know about a show coming up this Saturday, December 1 at the Moore Theatre. I’ll be in the percussion section (along with my dad and my son) in a concert featuring the music of my brother, Jherek, played by a 50 person orchestra along with very talented guest singers. Yyou might be interested because Jherek has been there for many of you in the past, backing your kid up at Conundrum. This would be an awesome opportunity to see Jherek in his element and expose your kids to an orchestra without having to listen to all that “boring classical music.”
This will be a recreation of the show we did back in February at Lincoln Center in NYC with David Byrne on vocals (https://korumdrum.com/2012/02/28/musical-bucket-list-complete/). Unfortunately, David is out on tour and can’t do this show, but these singers are just as good… promise! You’ll get to see Mirah, Zac Pennington (Parenthetical Girls), Soko, Jason Webley, Tomo Nakayama and Zola Jesus among others! My dad, Calder and I will be in the percussion section once again too!
Here’s a link to show info: http://stgpresents.org/moore/calendar/eventdetail/216/-/jherek-bischoff
I really, truly hope to see you there!
Announcement Coming!
Stay tuned for a big announcement next Friday, Nov. 30…
Feedback
Last week I went to my son’s third grade class to do a workshop on percussion. We had a great time experimenting with different types of percussion instruments, learning about the differences between membranophones and idiophones, and attempting (and succeeding!) to play some simple group rhythms. The best part of doing the Art Docent role for his class is the post-workshop feedback I get. Check these out:
The rhythm is awesome.
I like how he could play different kinds of instruments.
He could switch instruments really quickly.
He’s good at the beat and the rhythm to keep it steady.
I remember the song you made in first grade.
It must take a lot of practice to be really good at it.
He knew so many different kinds of music – from different time periods and different styles.
The cow bell was really hard to play without a mallet.
I like how he played the drums. It was really loud.
How can somebody keep a beat with you? It’s really fast.
I liked how we beat the closets. It made a good beat.
The punk rock picture was really embarrassing.
Did you try to embarrass Calder?
Music Madness!
You are really good at the drums.
I liked the drum I played. It was membrane.
I liked playing the closet.
I really liked playing the xylophone.
The closet really hurt.
I liked playing the boom whackers.
I loved it! It was loud!
What a Run!
Wow! What an amazing summer! Aside from gigs with Johnny and subbing on a few gigs with Recess Monkey, summer 2012 was jam-packed with fun at Teatro ZinZanni’s In Tents with Recess Monkey. We enjoyed a sold-out run of nine shows and ended up extending the run, which was set to close in July, all the way into September. There is still some availability for our September 16 & 23 shows. You don’t want to miss this circus spectacular with the world’s one-and-only drumming bear (hey, that’s me!).
Conundrum 2012 Wrap-up
Holy cow! What a NIGHT!
The Island Art Center rumbled on April 14th! 20 amazing performances. 20 amazing students.
Thank you to everyone who took part in Conundrum 2012. Parents, musicians and especially the kids, each of whom took many risks and shared a part of them with us!
Here’s a gallery of photos by the talented Landon Acohido of the event. Check out his site at http://acohido.com/
“In Tents” at Teatro ZinZanni
This can’t get crossed off of that Bucket List because I never would have thought to put it on. Starting in May I’ll be appearing in Teatro ZinZanni’s new children’s production, “In Tents with Recess Monkey.” I’ll be playing the role of the mischievous Dancing Bear, dressed in a Korum-sized bear suit made completely out of feathers. This circus bear doesn’t want to be tamed though, he wants to ROCK THE DRUMS! I’m completely honored to be asked to do this show. I’ll be appearing with the zaniest Teatro ZinZanni cast member and former Ringling Bros. clown Peter Pitofsky, legendary Siberian juggler Sergey Krutikov, 10-year-old circus sensation Saffi Watson, and Pacific Northwest Ballet’s principle dancer for 25 years, Ariana Lallone. Plus, Seattle’s kindie rock phenomenon, Recess Monkey have written all-original music for this show! Then there’s little ole me, who appeared in “Pirates of Penzance” as a junior at Bainbridge High School!
There are 9 weekend dates starting May 5th. Check out the website for dates and ticket information.
Press is starting to come in:
Conundrum 2012 – New Location
Conundrum 2012 is almost here! Songs are chosen, the band members are wood-shedding their parts, and the posters just came back from the printer. The only thing left to do is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
The biggest news about this year’s event is that we have a NEW LOCATION! This year we’ll be tearing the roof off of the Island Art Center which is located across from Sakai Intermediate School on the same driveway as the Coppertop buildings. The building says “Mill’s Flooring” on it. Many of you will know it as Chris Mills’ Aikido/Art facility.
9463 NE Business Park Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA. 98110
phone: 206.842.8511
Also new: There will also be a suggested donation of $5. Students and their parents/siblings do not need to pay. Grandparents, neighbors and friends should if they can.
See you on 4/14!
Musical Bucket List Complete!
2012 is off to an AMAZING start! My 8 year-old son (Calder) and I just returned from a week-long trip to New York City for a musical adventure made possible by my ultra-talented brother Jherek.
Jherek, a multi-instrumentalist (whose main instrument is bass), composer, arranger and producer has just put the finishing touches on his upcoming album Composed which features a diverse lineup of guest vocalists including old friends like Zac Pennington of Parenthetical Girls to legendary musical impresarios like Caetano Veloso and David Byrne. As a way to celebrate the accomplishment and get some attention for Jherek’s amazing work, David Byrne hooked my brother up with the producers of the Ecstatic Music Festival at the Kaufman Center in NYC for a live performance of the album, start to finish.
The concert featured most of the same vocalists as the album (it was too expensive to get Mr. Veloso here from Brazil) along with the Wordless Music Orchestra (NYC) and a gaggle of cohorts from Seattle. The percussion section included Greg Saunier (Deerhoof), Seattle’s Paul Kikuchi, my very own dad, me, and… Calder! That’s right, Calder played NYC with Jherek and David Byrne at 8 years old! Sure, it was for only one gong hit, but boy was it worth the cost of bringing him across the country!
The concert was a huge hit, completely sold out and, extremely well-received. The promoters had done a fantastic job ahead of time and there was extensive preview coverage in Time Out New York, New York Magazine, and on WQXR including interviews and live streaming of the concert.
Take a listen to the entire archived recording of the show here:
But, back to that bucket list mentioned in the title of this post… you see, Jherek and I were basically raised on David Byrne’s music. Sure, there was some Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna and Beatles thrown in, as well as a bunch of bizarre music my dad was into. About 8 years ago, Mr. Byrne was playing a show that the company I worked for was producing and I took Jherek. The next day he and I left on a two week-long tour with The Dead Science and brought David’s latest CD along in the car. I remember driving in a hot, un-air conditioned car through the California valley to Merced for a show out on a rice paddy (really!). I said to Jherek, “you know, if I could just play back-up for David Byrne on one song, one time in my life, I could continue my musical career a success.” Jherek replied with a drawn-out “totally.” Well, consider my goal met, and as a bonus, I got to play TWO songs with him. I may have been one of 4 drummers onstage alongside 50 other musicians, but consider me fulfilled!
Sunday, August 21: Tots-n-Tunes at Seattle Center
I’m getting really excited for Tots-N-Tunes at Seattle Center‘s Mural Amphitheater on Sunday, August 21! Not only will all six Kindiependent bands be there, but so will award-winning, critically adored family indie musician Justin Roberts!
I’m particularly excited for this event because I’ll also be playing drums for Recess Monkey as their drummer will be out of town. Luckily I already know most of the songs because their latest album and YouTube channel are on constant repeat at the Bischoff household. I did have one condition for doing the sub gig… that Garner’s favorite song “Marshmallow Farm” be on the set list.
11-11:30 Caspar Babypants
11:45-12:15 Harmonica Pocket
12:30-1:00 Johnny Bregar & the Country Dawgs (me!)
1:15-1:45 Justin Roberts and the NR4NP
2-2:30 The Not-Its!
2:45-3:15 Board of Education
3:30-4:00 Recess Monkey (me again!)
Tickets: Kids are FREE. Grownups are $10 each
Korum Bischoff 