About Me
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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