drumFantasy.17 August 5-9
Vic's Drum Shop
Chicago, IL
The 11th annual Drum Fantasy
Camp featured the return of one of our founding
drummers - and four new additions to the Drum
Fantasy Camp family!
Steve Smith, who rejoined the legendary Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame Band Journey in 2015, returned to
Drum Fantasy Camp after playing more than 60 summer
dates! Steve is a natural teacher and the camp
allows him to get personal in our small classes of
just 15. It was amazing to have Steve back!
Joining Steve were three drummers who Drum Fantasy
Camp has been chasing for several years now. Will
Calhoun fit the camp into his neverending schedule
of dates with the iconic band, Living Colour.
Simon
Phillips joined us during some very rare downtime in
his schedule (we asked him for at least five years!)
And Todd Sucherman took time away from his family in
between segments of the Styx tour!
On the band side of things, the camp welcomed
legendary bassist Jimmy Haslip for the very first
time! Jimmy's incredible playing and warm demeanor
made him an instant hit at the camp. He was joined
by Music Director Vinny Valentino (guitar/vocals),
Chicago native Stu Mindeman (keys),
Chrissi Poland
(vocals).
Camp preparations always start months in advance.
Camp director Steven Orkin arrived in Chicago to get
things going on August 1. After a stop at Chicago's
famed restaurant, "The Mean Wiener," it was all
business putting the final touches on Drum Fantasy
Camp.
On August 2, Orkin picked up gear from SIR (Studio
Instrument Rentals) and paid a visit to Vic's Drum
Shop. He met Vic's managers Kevin Jensen and
John
Maloney, who had been coordinating drum gear for all
four drummers. The guys reviewed the gear to make
sure everything was in place.
On August 3, the musicians began arriving in
Chicago. Weather conditions in the Midwest diverted
some flights and made things challenging! But the
guys eventually arrived. Todd Sucherman took some
time meet the team at Vic's and being the process of
tuning his drums (while telling hilarious stories
and doing drumming "impressions"). With Todd's
touch, his Pearl kit sounded amazing.
Later that evening, everyone met at Athena
restaurant down the street from the hotel in
Greektown. The top of the restaurant, which opens on
nice summer nights, was abruptly closed when storms
rolled in. The group was having too much fun to
notice. Great stories were exchanged, followed by a
late-night hang among the drum instructors!
On the 4th, Todd and Will joined "Hamilton" Chicago
drummer Tom Hipskind at the Sabian Education Network
event hosted by Vic's. Joe Bergamini, a top Broadway
drummer and writer/educator with Hudson Music who
runs the Sabian network, moderated an amazing
discussion! When the event ended at Noon, Orkin
picked up Sucherman and drove him, Steve Smith, and
the band over to Martyrs' music club to set up for
the opening concert.
As always, the opening concert delivered a
mindblowing performance to a full house. The first
set opened with all four instructors joining the
band on snare drums only for "Hey Pocky Way." Plenty
of shenanigans followed (see the videos on the right
side of this page). Todd and Steve both did
individual sets after that, followed by an
incredible duet at the end!
The next four days were the main days of the camp.
Full-time attendees ranged in age from 9 to 70 and
they came from 12 countries, including: China,
Japan, Germany, Switzerland, England, Australia, New
Zealand, Panama, Mexico, Argentina, Canada, and the
U.S.!
Full-time attendees had the choice of working with
four drumming instructors over four days, or
substituting one instructor for an all-new
"Groove/Swing Class" with Vinny and Jimmy as the
teachers! Many of the attendees opted for the that
class - and they were not disappointed! Vinny and
Jimmy got everyone up and playing with them all day.
The attendees walked out with great input!
During the evenings of the first three nights, we
ran our famous "Jam Nights." Hosted in the Vic's
Drum Shop Showcase Room, attendees were called up to
perform with Jimmy, Stu, Chrissi, and Vinny! Tunes
ranged from classic rock to straight-ahead jazz,
Indian fusion, and more. There was no pressure - but
several attendees found themselves being accompanies
by one or more of our drumming instructors! Only at
Drum Fantasy Camp...
On the final night, we ran a closing concert at
Martyrs' featuring our incredible band, Will Calhoun,
and Simon Phillips. Will opened the show with an
amazing set that blended Elvin Jones with Jimi
Hendrix! He also performed a solo piece on his Korg
Wave Drum. Meanwhile, Simon delivered an iconic tune
that he wrote with Jeff Beck entitled "The Pump,"
which was made famous in the movie "Risky Business."
He then delivered a blistering version of Beck's
"Space Boogie" before joining Will for a duet that
also included audience participation!
All in all, the 11th annual Drum Fantasy Camp was
packed with thrills, learning, and unforgettable
moments that will never be forgotten!
"Hey
Pocky Way"
Featuring Will Calhoun, Simon Phillips, Steve Smith
and Todd Sucherman. The band: Jimmy Haslip, Stu
Mindeman, Chrissi Poland and Vinny Valentino
"I Love You"
Featuring Steve Smith
with Jimmy Haslip, Stu Mindeman, Chrissi Poland and
Vinny Valentino
"Fred" (Tony Williams)
Featuring Todd Sucherman with Jimmy Haslip, Stu Mindeman
and Vinny Valentino