Drum Fantasy
Camp triumphantly returned after a two-year hiatus
due to the COVID-19 pandemic! The sold out event
took place August 5-9, 2022, at Musicians Institute
and the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.
Drumming instructors included Mark Guiliana
(David Bowie/Avishai Cohen), Simon Phillips
(The Who/Jeff Beck), Steve Smith (Journey/Vital
Information), and Dave Weckl (Chick
Corea/Michel Camilo). The band featured bassist Hagar
Ben Ari (The Late Late Show with James Corden), pianist
Mike Garson (David Bowie), keyboardist
Stu Mindeman (Kurt Elling), singer Chrissi
Poland (Michael Bolton/Moby), and guitarist
Vinny Valentino (George Benson/Vital Information).
As always, Drum Fantasy Camp opened with an
incredible concert. Held in the Musicians Institute
auditorium, the concert featured some great moments:
an opening tribute to the drummers we've lost since
2019 (video in the right column of this page), Dave
Weckl paying tribute to Jeff Porcaro with Toto's
"Rosanna," Simon Phillips playing "Who Are You," and
David Bowie's piano man Mike Garson sitting in with
the band and Mark Guiliana to perform Bowie's "Young
Americans."
The next four days included four days of classes
with each of the drumming instructors. Mark
Guiliana's class included a groove element with
Hagar Ben Ari on bass, Mike Garson on keys, Stu
Mindeman on keys, and Vinny Valentino on guitar.
At night, the band ran jams with the attendees.
Keyboard phenom Jesus Molina stopped by with
guitarist Leo Amuedo and Jesus' band! They joined
Dave Weckl on stage for a jam that brought down the
house.
The camp ended with a special day in the studio with
veteran engineer/producer Dennis Moody.
