Cape Breton Drum Fest 2006

Now in its 6th year, the Cape Breton International Drum Festival, Saturday April 29th and Sunday April 30th, 2006, will again be staged at The Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The festival sees the return of some of the most popular past festival crowd favourites, including Denny Seiwell, Paul Wertico, Sergio Bellotti and festival mainstay, Dom Famularo.

Denny Seiwell is probably best known for his work with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney in his band Wings, Paul Wertico was recently named as one of the Chicagoans of the Year and Sergio Bellotti has been at the Festival for the last two years and this year returns with his friend and colleague Berklee Professor Skip Hadden; he is a world-renowned teacher and author who has, over the years, taught some of the world's greatest drummers.

Newcomers to this year's Festival include percussionist Hossam Ramzy from the UK. Hossam has worked with Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (Ex Led Zeppelin); another drummer making his way across the pond is Englishman, Gary Husband, Gary must be one of the greatest and most talented drummers the world has ever seen, he has worked with jazz legend John McLaughlin, Bill Cobham (as a pianist), Allan Holdsworth Group, Garry Moore (Thin Lizzy) and Jack Bruce of Cream fame.

Canadian icon and super-drummer Paul DeLong makes his first appearance and is sure to turn heads and also from Toronto is Dale Anne Brendon. Brendon is also a well known teacher and clinician in the Toronto area.

Percussion master Lenny Castro, who has appeared on hundreds of recordings is sure to bring a very exciting and diverse soundscape to this year's show, as will Styx drummer Todd Sucherman, who organizer Bruce Aitken described as "One of the most talented soloists I've ever seen."

Cape Breton International Drum Festival Legends Awards are to be made to Groove Master Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie (think Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, James Brown) and Bill Cobham, the man that changed the face of drumming history when he fused Jazz with Rock during recording with Miles Davis on the classic LP 'Bitches Brew'.

Plenty to keep Drumheads totally occupied, including masterclasses, workshops and techie lectures, such as a talk by drum-tech, Rick Faucher.