As a drummer, researcher, and fan of Brazilian music—albeit one who lives in North America, I have noticed that the majority of books about Brazilian rhythms, percussion, and drumming are focused on more “traditional” manners of playing.  Certainly, this is very important.  However, during my visits to Bahia and in my experiences with drummers such as Edni and Eddie, I have been fortunate to hear many innovative, non-conventional approaches to playing drums in Brazilian music.  Unfortunately, books containing these ideas and techniques have not yet been published...that is, until now.

 

  I am very pleased to see that these two drummers from Bahia are developing a new and unique way of playing and thinking about drums.  I am also excited by the fact that, in addition to demonstrating their innovative ideas about Brazilian rhythms using samba and Baião, they are also working with ijexá, a distinctly Bahia rhythm that is still virtually unknown outside of Brazil and deserving of greater attention. 

 

  There are many books that explore and develop new drum techniques through musical styles such as jazz, rock, fusion, etc.  Yet until now we have lacked such innovative approaches to drumming in Brazilian music.  For this reason, I am confident that Rhythm in Melody will be of interest to many people including those who want to learn more about the rhythms of Brazil applied to the drum set as well as those who want to develop a deeper understanding of drumming in general.