I am influenced in some manner by everything I hear, play, read... Here is a short list of some primary influences ~
Composers: Frank Zappa, Steiner, Xenakis, Ellington, Takemitsu, and so many up & coming new composers ~
Drumset: Elvin, Joe Morello, Jim Chapin, Danny Carey,Terry Bozzio, Billy Higgins, Glenn Kotche and all of the true drumset innovators ~
Vibraphinists: Cal Tjader, Bobby Hutcherson, Walt Dickerson, Warren Wolf, Bags, Gary Burton and all of the great vibraphone players ~
and of course ALL OF MY TEACHERS. For without them I would not be where I am today.
JAMES ARMSTRONG is an acclaimed percussionist currently based in the Philadelphia area. As a specialist in Haitian, Cuban, and West African folkloric drumming he continues research and performance of this music throughout the United States and abroad. He has done extensive fieldwork in Ghana, Senegal, and Togo, West Africa, as well as New York, Miami, and New Orleans studying with master musicians in the cultural context and has over 15 years experience performing traditional Afro-Haitian and Afro-Cuban music for dance classes and religious ceremonies throughout the greater Philadelphia and New York City areas. James is currently Master Tambor for the Sosyete du Marche in Lansdale, PA. ~ Apart from his world music background he is an accomplished drumset artist (jazz, latin, rock/pop), jazz vibraphonist, steel pan player, and multi-percussionist. Most recent performing activities include touring and recording with MARASSA DUO, performing with Philly based singer/songwriter LiliAñel, EJazz, as well as performing and recording with several other Philadelphia and New York based latin and jazz artists. As a member of the world renowned ROBERT HOHNER PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (DMP label) he recorded and toured with the group from 1984-1998. As a drumset artist he led the latin jazz sextet PIONEROS del RITMO, performed with the Brian Murphy Trio, Neal Massa Trio, Manhattan Nitelife and many others. He was percussionist with I-Town recording artist PASO FINO and has also recorded with Smallstone artist Five Horse Johnson, Cantinero, Spartacus Jones, and several others. ~ As a composer of percussion ensemble, steel band, and chamber music literature his compositions are available through Drop6 Media and House Panther Press, and can be found on many state contest lists. He is author of "Vodou Drumset: Applying Traditional Afro-Haitian Rhythms to the Drumset" and has published several articles on the subjects of Afro-Caribbean folkloric music. ~ James Armstrong earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music Performance (emphasis in jazz studies and ethnomusicology) from Bowling Green State University. Mr. Armstrong is currently Instructor of Percussion at Elizabethtown College where he directs the ETown Percussion Ensemble, the ETown Congueros (afro-carib hand drum ensemble), teaches percussion class for educators, and private lessons in all areas of percussion. Formerly, he held the Director of Percussion Ensembles position at Cornell University (2000-2007) and has previously taught at the University of Toledo, Central Michigan University, and various private music institutions in the midwest and northeast United States. Mr. Armstrong is a Latin Percussion, Yamaha, Sabian, and Vic Firth artist and appears worldwide as a clinician and performer representing those companies. For more information visit his website (http://www.jdapercussion.com/).
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James Armstrong - percussionist's Friend Space (Top 12)
YO :) what's up man , it's been a while hope everythings good , I'm great just in the middle of touring n sh*t with K'NAAN of course luvin life ,w/b let me know how ya are . Peace
Shut his truck? Haven't heard that story yet! lol Click on "all my friends" on my page and you'll find his...I think James & Jake's pages on there, too. Glad to hear all is well!
Honor Tambor! Thank you for the time this weekend, and the (much needed) choir practice. You add greatly to the ashe of the house. See you later for more of the same! Mesi - Mambo
Greetings! Hope you are well.. Check out the NEW youtube percussion channel at; www. youtube. com/TimbaCriolla Dont forget to subscribe, we will be adding more videos shortly, hope you enjoy the videos.. All the best..
Hey man, I had a blast hanging with you at Grassroots. The whole losing the keys thing aside, it was the most fun I've had in while. Dug your set too. Woke up this morning around seven in my truck...still parked at the Chevy dealership on 96. So that was awesome. I realized once I drove home that I completely forgot to give you the tape out of my camera. I can either mail it to you or if you just want me to hold on to it until you mail us yours once you back it up digitally that's cool too. I'll wait to hear from you on that.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your rum and wry humor (your prediction on hangovers proved accurate). Hopefully we can do it again sometime.
Hi James Armstrong - percussionist, thanks for finding me and wanting to be my friend... My first album 'The beauty and the sea' is out now, check my tour dates for upcoming shows...
Late night, zipping through a backlog of friend requests and really just trying to get the mac shut off and me in bed, I pop in here and get Night in Tunisia. I wasn't in the mood, but I had to stay for the whole thing.
Just great! Such an original conception of the tune. What a sound! And you played Bird's break!
Well, I'm glad to meet you. Thanks so much for getting in touch!
James: It was an excellent rehearsal the other day; thanks for you input and creativity. Looking forward to the gigs. I looked at the photos of Steven; he looks JUST like you. What a smile he has.
