Hello, Good People!
This myspace site was originally designed to be a simple greeting to my friends, from where I’d ask you to visit my official site, www.frankcolon.com for more current info. But, you know what? I’ve just decided today (June 5, 2008) to make this myspace site the place where I’ll be talking most often to all my friends and fellow music lovers! Of course, there’s lots of bio information and photos and more music at my domain name site, but I’ll be rappin’ freely with you over here!
Over the years that I’ve been active in the music business, I’ve performed, toured and recorded with The Manhattan Transfer, Wayne Shorter, Milton Nascimento, Harry Belafonte, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Thalia, George Clinton, Gato Barbieri, Tania Maria, George Benson, Joe Zawinul, Felix Cavalieri, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Mickey Hart, Baba Olatunji, Dr. Billy Taylor, The Kremlin Chamber Orchestra, Adam Klipple, Samir Chatterjee, Michael Wolff, Daniel Figuereido, Milton Nascimento, Vinnie Valentino, Gilberto Gil, Cecilia Tenconi, Yussou N'Dour, Julito Collazo, Gal Costa, Vijay Iyer, Steve Gorn, Joao Bosco, Badal Roy, Chaka Khan, and many more. I’m putting together a compilation of ALL the cats that I’ve made music with, which I’ll put up sometime soon….it’ll be an on-going thing, ‘cause I ain’t quit yet! Drumming is my passion and I’ll be doing it forever!
As a percussionist, I specialize in Latin Caribbean instruments such as congas, bongos, timbales, shekere, and Cuban bata drums as well as Brazilian specialty items such as cuica, berimbau, atabaque and the entire array of samba instruments. I’ve also been studying the Hindustani tablas, which I’ve had a chance to record, on a couple of occasions. I’m always trying to expand my instrumental arsenal and, as such, I’m into a new melodic instrument now,,,, but, I won’t get specific about that one just yet…..
Over the years, I’ve conducted percussion clinics and workshops all over the world. I like to tailor my workshops not only to explain and demonstrate the technical aspects of drumming but also to emphasize the possibilities of extending communication and cultural exchange between all people, by means of making music together.
In 2006, after living in Manhattan for 30 years, I re-located to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In these wonderful times of digital music transfers via the net, I attend to recording requests from all parts of the globe! As it’s happened, over and over, you can be in Oakland, California or Barcelona, Spain or Moscow, Russia and I can enthusiastically participate on your project! I love it…’cause I can do your project and still make it to the beach in the morning!
The music that I’m putting up on this site right now is from my “Live at VartanJazz†and “Latin Wonder†CDs. The “Live…†album is just that: live, loud, sweaty, funky and raw! The music on my “Latin Wonder†album will get you on your feet and dancing…and make you feel like making love on a tropical beach! ….just be sure that you’re protected! ;-)
Both albums are available on CDBaby.com and iTunes! Listen…if you buy a CD or download an album, I’ll send you a small “thank you†gift from Rio!
And, by the way, I’m also deep into martial arts…but, that’s another whole department altogether! If you’re curious about this, you can look me up on the kravmagafederation.com site (- look for the Manhattan school!) and/or check out kravmaga.bz .
For recent news updates, please click over to my blog section. Thanks for checking up on me, my friends!
