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December 14, 2018: Haven’t updated anything in a while! I don’t even know if anybody visits this site! I have been doing a lot of teaching and some gigging here and there. Haven’t updated the gig list in ages. Perhaps I will update things more in the new year.

November 29, 2015: Long time no news! It has been a strange and busy year. Lots of teaching and performing. I got into indoor rock climbing and have been enjoying that quite a bit. I have played in a bunch of styles including jazz, free improvisation, progressive rock, and heavy metal. It was all fun and the musicians I played with were all great. I have, of course, been listening to tons of great music all year as well and went to some really good concerts including John Abercrombie Quartet, Magma, Al Di Meola, and Steve Hackett. I performed at ProgDay with Eccentric Orbit and got to see many great bands perform at that excellent festival. Good time!

I also adopted the greatest dog in the world!

September 17, 2014

As I mentioned last month the new Eccentric Orbit album Creation of the Humanoids was released. Instrumental, sci-fi inspired progressive rock. It’s selling quite well! Looks like we filled the instrumental sci-fi prog niche. I play on about half the album, taking over for the lat Mark Cella (RIP). The first album Attack of the Martians was also reissued. I play on the bonus track on that one. We are rehearsing soon and hope to do some live gigs soon.

I am also played on composer/songwriter Damen Liebling‘s new album Tonic. It’s an interesting record of songs and an extended classical instrumental scored for string quartet and rhythm section.

More gigs on the way. Lots of private work with my jazz trio as well as some sessions and some shows with my free-improvisation project Listening Party featuring my noise making buddies Dave Bryant (Ornette Coleman’s Primetime) and Rick Stone (my Tamandua cohort).

I also plan on composing some more chamber music and jazz tunes. And maybe a piece for Eccentric Orbit.

August 10, 2014

The new Eccentric Orbit CD “Creation of the Humanoids” is finally finished. it sounds great and the artwork is excellent. It should be available to purchase within the next week. Check the Eccentric Orbit website for updates and links.

May 4, 2014

Finished my Master’s Degree in Modern American Music from Longy School of Music of Bard College in December. Been teaching and gigging since. More musical stuff on the horizon…..

Eccentric Orbit listening party tonight. Mixing for the second Eccentric Orbit album “Creation of the Humanoids” is complete. Also, their first album “Attack of the Martians” was just re-released. I joined the band a few years ago after their drummer Mark Cella passed. I play on the bonus track “The Day the Earth Stood Still” on the re-release and on about half of the forthcoming second album. Good, fun, heavy instrumental prog rock. More info about the band here:

http://www.eoband.com/

September 1, 2013

Gearing up for my last semester at Longy School of Music where I am working on a master’s degree in Modern American Music. I recorded a new tune with Eccentric Orbit yesterday called The Day the Earth Stood Still. It will be released as a bonus track on the reissue of their first album Attack of the Martians. Over the summer I played some gigs, gave some drum lessons, composed and arranged some classical piano music, and recorded an album with Hopeful Monsters. Music is cool.

March 23, 2013

Long time no update. Lots of stuff going on. Getting a masters degree from Longy School of Music of Bard College. Dealt/dealing with some physical issues that were messing with my playing. Much improved. Composing some interesting music. Had a series of articles published in Modern Drummer magazine. Performing and teaching.

Also, have a gig with Atlas Soul at The Paradise in Boston, MA on 3/27/2013. Details here.

October 16, 2011

Had a rehearsal with progressive rock band Eccentric Orbit for a show they have with two other prog bands at Magic Room in Brighton, MA on Saturday, November 12. More info here: New England Art Rock Society

September 1, 2011

The first article of my series “An Approach to Understanding Odd Time Signatures” is out now in the October 2011 issue of Modern Drummer magazine. Earlier than expected. This article is title Part One: Breaking it Down. Check it out. It’s the one with Chad Smith on the cover.

I got to hear what are probably the final mixes of the Impressions of Brouwer, Vol. 2: Electric Etudes last night. They sound great. I am excited about this release. More info soon.

August 24, 2011

The Impressions of Brouwer, Vol. 2: Electric Etudes recording sessions happened on August 12 and 13. Everything went well and they are being mixed right now. Seriously. Right this very second. Things are sounding really good. The CD should be available by late September.

The first article of my series “An Approach to Understanding Odd Time Signatures” will be in the October 2011 issue of Modern Drummer magazine. It should be on the shelves September 6.

July 27, 2011

Lots of stuff going on. I recently became an endorsing artist/educator for Paiste Cymbals . Feel free to check out my artist profile. It’s a little skimpy right now, but there will be a picture of my cymbal setup on there soon.

I wrote a series of three articles for Modern Drummer magazine. Part one will be published in the October 2011 issue. It should ship out to subscribers around mid-August and be on shelves shortly after that. The lessons are drawn from concepts found in my book Drummer’s Guide to Odd Time Signatures.

I also have a recording project coming up. Impressions Of Brouwer, Vol. 2: Electric Etudes. There is a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the project.

Finally, my group Tamandua will be performing at Outpost 186 in Cambridge, MA on Tuesday August 16, 2011.

March 3, 2010

Busy year so far. Played some gigs with Daniel Bennett Group and Colin Stack & Novelty Act. Did some clinics to promote my book at the 2011 NAMM show. Rehearsing and learning tunes for some gigs with Cirkestra and Colin Stack and an upcoming recording session. Looks like I will be doing some live work with Eccentric Orbit later this year as well. Doing lots of private teaching as well. Hopefully I will get some time in to compose some more new Tamandua music.

July 4, 2010

My book Drummer’s Guide to Odd Time Signatures is a 2010 Drummies award winner! Read the official Alfred Publishing press release here:

http://www.alfred.com/Company/News/201007DRUMMIESAwards2010.aspx

December 1, 2009

Howdy friends,

My new method book Drummer’s Guide to Odd Time Signatures (Alfred/National Guitar Workshop) is published and ready to go. It can be ordered here:

http://alfred.com/Products/Drummers-Guide-to-Odd-Time-Signatures–00-34099.aspx

You can also order it at any music or book store. If you are interested in getting it, this might be a good idea as it will increase the possibility of getting it on the shelves. Please be advised that it might be a few weeks before the stores have it in their warehouses.

If you teach and/or play drums, it will make a great addition to your library (in my not so humble opinion). If you have a musician friend, why not get it as a gift? They make great stocking stuffers!

See you at NAMM in LA January ’10 for the official hoopla.

Here’s what some well respected drummer/educators have to say about it:

“Way to go, Rick! An excellent, clear and concise pathway to develop understanding and control of odd time signature grooves. Onward and upward, is this 2/3 or 3/2?” – Skip Hadden (Berklee College of Music, Weather Report, author of World Fusion Drumming)

“Rick Landwehr’s Drummer’s Guide to Odd Time Signatures takes the drum set player on a step by step journey into the world of odd times. Beginning with a simple waltz and advancing to 11/4 time signatures. Every example is clear and concise, providing insight and logic, simplifying complex meter concepts. The fun Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Jazz examples will broaden any players bag of tricks. I welcome this book to my library, and look forward to using it with my students.” – Casey Scheuerell (Berklee College of Music, Jean-Luc Ponty, Gino Vannelli, Chaka Khan)

October 9, 2009

Submitted the final tweaks to my book. Goes to press soon. Official release at NAMM in LA, January 2010. A long process is over and I am ready to move on to composing some new Tamandua music. Busy this month with several gigs. Many private events with The Boston Jazz Trio, a CD release show for Colin Stack and Novelty Act and several shows with Daniel Bennett Group including a two day tour of NJ and CT and  CD release party for the new Live at the Theatre album. Check the gigs list for more info.

August 23, 2009

Playing lots of gigs with many different groups. Did another week at National Guitar Workshop in Purchase, NY. My upcoming book is almost finished. Recording of the CD that goes with it is the final step. More on that soon!

August 1, 2009

Got back from a week of teaching and playing at National Guitar Workshop. Great times and great students. Now I am tired. Rehearsal with Tamandua today and then some rest. A little practicing, too. The writing of my upcoming book is complete, but I still have to record the companion CD. I’ll be back for another week at NGW next week. Busy, busy, busy….

January 30, 2009

Big news! (for me, at least)

The Tamandua debut album “Eternal Anteater of the Universe” is now available for purchase online at CD Baby:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/tamandua

It is also available for download from iTunes and Rhapsody

Check it out.

January 8, 2009

Happy Freakin’ New Year!

My progressive rock/jazz/fake ethnic music fusion group Tamandua will be releasing its debut album “Eternal Anteater of the Universe” on Friday, January 23.  The CD release show will be at All Asia in Cambridge, MA at 8PM (1/23).  The address is 334 Massachusetts Ave.  Cover is $6.  Come on out and bring some folks with you.  This is a big show for us and we could use your support.  Tamandua CD’s make great gifts!

November 18, 2008

I will be performing with Daniel Bennett Group this Saturday (11/22) at Channel Cafe
(more info here http://www.channel-cafe.com/).  The address is 300 Summer St. in
Boston, MA.  The performance begins at 7PM.  It’s free!

Come on out.

October 9, 2008

My progressive rock/jazz/”world music” fusion group Tamandua will be performing at All Asia in Cambridge, MA (334 Mass. Ave. in Central Square) on Friday, October 24. We go on at 8PM. I will playing with Colin Stack & Novelty Act right after (as will our sax player, Rick Stone), so stick around for that too. Cover is $6 and the club switches to 21+ at 10PM (in case you bring youngsters).It’s our first show with our new sax player, so your support is appreciated. Bring your friends, and don’t forget to tell them at the door you are there for Tamandua.

September 2, 2008

I will be playing with two bands on Monday, September 8 at The Fireplace in Washington Square (1634 Beacon Street in Brookline, MA).  This is part of the Boston Music Festival.  I play with Daniel Bennett Group at 9PM and Colin Stack & Novelty Act at 10:30PM (or slightly earlier).

Come on out and hear some live music.  Don’t forget to tell your friends.

I hope to see you there.

August 10, 2008

I just got back yesterday from four weeks at National Guitar Workshop. I had some great students and got to play with some great musicians.

Saturday August 16, I will be performing with Daniel Bennett Group on a double bill with guitar legend Bill Frisell. It should be a great show. Daniel Bennett Group goes on first, followed by a solo performance from Frisell. Details are here:

http://danielbennett.net/bennettalliance.cfm

Tickets are moving fast.

I hope to see some metro Bostonians at the show. Come up and say howdy.

June 19, 2008

Long time no update. I have been keeping busy playing with a few different groups and teaching. I have a gig tomorrow with Colin Stack & Novelty Act. It will be at All Asia in Cambridge, MA. The Address is 334 Mass. Ave. We play at 9PM.

In a few weeks I leave to teach once again at National Guitar Workshop’s New Milford, CT campus. I will be there weeks 1-3 (July 13- August 1). I teach drum classes weeks 1 and 2. Week 3 I teach the Ultimate Rock Drums seminar. It’s not too late to sign up. Go to www.guitarworkshop.com for more information.

April 25, 2008

Tamandua (me, Joe Conley and Jason Gillenwater) will be playing its first gig on Thursday May 8 at All Asia in Central Square (334 Mass. Ave.). I will be playing with Colin Stack and Novelty Act at 10PM. Tamandua will go on after that around 11PM. This gig is very important to us. Please come out and support local musicians. Bring your friends, too.

April 6, 2008

I have two gigs with Colin Stack & Novelty Act this week. Thursday April 10 at Jamaica Plain Public Library in Jamaica Plain, MA at 6:30 PM. Friday April 11 at All Asia in Central Square, Cambridge, MA at 8 PM. Come on out.

Also, my new band Tamandua has a Myspace page now. Come check us out at www.myspace.com/tamanduaband

March 31, 2008

I now have a new band with Jason Gillenwater on saxophone and Joe Conley on guitar. As of today, we officially have a name. We are Tamandua. I don’t particularly like to label music, but our stuff is a sort of blend of progressive rock, jazz and some Eastern (Asia, the Middle East) music. Kinda. Our first show will be May 8 at All Asia in Central Square, Cambridge, MA. 10:30- 11:30PM. We will share the bill with Colin Stack & Novelty Act (who I also play with) and Connecticut rock band Columbia Fields (with the mighty Jon Coates on bass). Mark your calendars.

February 29, 2008

Here’s a little update for anybody who reads this thing. I am now playing with Daniel Bennett Group. My first show with them is Friday, March 7 at Outpost 186 (Zeitgeist Gallery). The address is 186 Hampshire St. in Cambridge, MA. 8PM show.

I’m also in the process of recording drum and percussion parts for Colin Stack and Novelty Act’s next CD titled “Futile Serenade”.

I will be teaching the Ultimate Rock Drums seminar during the Rock Summit at this years National Guitar Workshop summer sessions in New Milford, CT. The Rock Summit goes from July 27 – August 1. If you are interested in signing up for drums, guitar or bass instruction, you can go to www.guitarworkshop.com for more information.
Lastly, part of my string quartet composition “The Rainbow Path” will be used in an upcoming short film about Lord Byron titled “Rochdale”.

January 15, 2008

I will be playing January, 17 2008 with Colin Stack & Novelty Act at the Jamaica Plain Library. The address is 12 Sedgwick Street, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts 02130. The show starts at 6:30 PM. Donations accepted at the door. Bring you friends!

I hope to see you there.

December 8, 2007

I will be playing this Sunday night (Dec. 9) with Colin Stack & Novelty Act at Spike Hill 184 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11211, 10PM.

Other musicians besides me and Colin will be:

Mark Cocheo: Guitar
Rick Stone: Sax
Carmen Staaf: piano and accordion

Come check us out!

October 14, 2007

I will be playing with The Boston Jazz Trio this Thursday (October 18) and next Thursday at Masona Grill in West Roxbury. The address is 4 Corey St. We play from 8-10 PM. There is plenty of parking around the restaurant. We are trying to get a regular thing going on Thursday nights. Please come out for a meal, appetizer, drink, dessert or all of these. We need your support. If you cannot make This Thursday, please come out Thursday October 25. Same place and time.

If you like us, tell your friends. If you don’t, tell your enemies.

I am also performing with Colin Stack and Novelty Act Friday October 19 at Lily Pad in Inman Square, Cambridge, MA. The address is 1353 Cambridge Street. We play at 10PM, but there are a few artists performing that night. Festivities begin at 7PM.

Your support is appreciated.

September 24, 2007

I will be playing with The Boston Jazz Trio at Masona Grill in West Roxbury, MA this Thursday (September 27) from 8-10 PM. Come out and have a meal or a drink or both and listen to some tunes.

July 22, 2007

Howdy folks. I just got back from three weeks of teaching and playing at National Guitar Workshop in New Milford, CT. I had some great students and we covered all kinds of material. It was a pleasure seeing my students get up and play every week in the student ensemble concerts.

I got to play on stage and off with many amazing musicians in all kinds of styles. Here’s some I can think of off the top of my head:

Jason Loughlin, Terry Syrek, Jim D’Amboise, James Hogan, Gary Hoey, Mark Cocheo, John Yelland, Bill Kratz, Mark Yodice, Angus Clark, Murali Coryell, Kevin McNeal, Andy Stack, Steve Booke, Aurelian Budynek, Tracy Walton and many more.

Good times.

June 16, 2007

I will be teaching and performing in the faculty concerts at The National Guitar Workshop in New Milford, CT during the first three weeks of July. It’s not too late to register for classes. The Workshop is a great place to learn and to network with musicians. All styles are taught and there are student ensemble concerts at the end of each week.

Go to www.guitarworkshop.com for more information. Maybe I’ll see you there.

May 11, 2007

The soundtrack to the film Darkon has been released on itunes. I play all the drum/percussion parts on this soundtrack. The music was composed by Jonah Rapino. Here is the link:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=252429067

February 28, 2007

I just got hired by the Brookline Music School. I will be giving private lessons, leading ensembles and performing in outreach concerts for this great school. Groovy.

January 21, 2007

Not much news, really. Happy New Year to you.

October 1, 2006

Not too much big news. My class began last week at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. I’ve also been playing a bunch of private events with The Boston Jazz Trio.

August 28, 2006

I just got the word that I am a new product endorser for Vic Firth. I have been using their products for several years. Go to www.vicfirth.com to learn more about them.

August 16, 2006

I just got back from teaching at the National Guitar Summer Workshop down in New milford, CT. I taught drum classes, rock band classes and performed in the faculty concerts. It was a truly wonderful experience playing and hanging out with such excellent musicians. I had some great students, too.

I have a couple of gigs coming up with The Boston Jazz Trio and The Ben Bogart Jazz Collective. I will also be playing drums in Joe Conley’s ensemble during the Berklee Guitar Sessions later in August. In the Fall I will start performing with fellow NGW faculty member Colin Stack. I will post dates as soon as I have them.