My personal sites (Artists and Friends below)
I've created several separate sites to keep my various projects organized...
Mike James World™
Main portal to all my web sites
Mike James Jazz™
You are here! If you link to this site, feel free to use the logo to the right. This site focuses on my musical projects, including the ongoing development of my "Drumming for Life™" project. Fans of Buddy Rich will also find an archive of previously-unpublished concert clips and photos.
Mike James Media™
Home to a variety of imaging projects. (3D/CAD modeling, Animation, Web Site Design)
NextCraft™
NextCraft™ serves as an archive of my past experience with designing and building composite, radio-controlled model aircraft. I also publish two CD's related to the (CAD and 3D) design process, and the use of composite building materials, mold-making, etc., which you can purchase on that site.
My Anchorage Artist Friends...
Buzz Schwall - buzzOplex Productions
A truly talented and creative guy, involved in stage design & production, painting, puppetry, and various other cool projects. In 2006, one of the more interesting Marionette Opera's that Buzz is producing is Stravinsky's "Petrushka". Buzz's site is also a great resource for links to a number of Alaskan artists.
Melissa Bledsoe Fischer - JAZZMOM
Melissa is a remarkable jazz vocalist and keyboardist, with a very busy schedule. She and her long-time bassist, Dirk Westfall, along with various other musicians, are always swinging somewhere, and I'm lucky to do a lot of those performances with her. Visit her site to see what she's up to.
Bob Andrews - Electric Bassist (No web site yet)
Bob has been a musician for over 40 years, and is one of my favorite bassists. He's fully capable of playing any genre of music, and I hope to play more music with him when he has time. Click here to read Bob's (PDF) bio.
Brian Hutton - Creative Writer
Another multi-talented artist friend, Brian Hutton is an artist, writer, workshop facilitator, and radio personality. He's a blur, around town.
Pamela Thompson
Pamela is a photographer and web site designer, with an eye for quality. Aside from her personal work, she photographs many of the events around town, with excellent results.
Alaska Jazz Workshops
Find out all the latest developments going on with the Alaska Jazz Workshops here. There are always new workshops, clinics, recitals, concerts, and other educational projects and events going on.
Don Walker's site Good friend, fine guitarist and vocalist, Don Walker. Don's staying busy, with a variety of projects, and is a good friend to all of us in Anchorage. He plays everything.
Finally, my other friends, around the world...
An outstanding site for fans of Gino Vannelli, operated by Barend and Trees, from Holland, the Netherlands.
I'm also honored to have one of my transcription articles published there.
Click here to see that article.
My favorite singer on the planet. Go listen to her!
Traditional jazz brushes by Tom Osborne
Bernhard Castiglioni has created the best drumming-related site on the planet, with information on almost every drummer. This site is like an encyclopedia!
Aside from making great drumsticks and mallets, Vic Firth furnishes a huge amount of educational material free on their site. There are online lessons from drumming greats, including both audio and video clips. Go check them out.
The Zildjian family had been pleasing drummers forever! For truly fine quality, musical-sounding cymbals and other accessories, you can't lose with Zildjian. The site is full of history and sound samples.
Remo has been the premier manufacturer of plastic drum heads since the 1950's, and have also been leaders in drumming education for many years. I've used their heads exclusively since the mid 1960's, and love the sound!
Roy Burns, one of the most outstanding drummers of all time, created Aquarian many years ago, and has always produced great drum heads and other interesting products for drummers. Among his many other accomplishments, he was the Staff Artist for Rogers Drums for many years, and a leading columnist for Modern Drummer Magazine.
If you like playing vintage drums, or simply want a great resource for studying drum history, Vintage Drum Guide is a great place to start. This is a very nice, complete site that's growing constantly.
A great source of jazz educational materials, many free. Check them out!
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A site with a growing set of great resources, including drum and percussion forums, articles, reviews, tabs, multimedia, and shopping!
A great drumming-related site, offering 3 separate areas for African drumming, Drumset and Cymbals, and Latin drumming. You'll find a lot of resources there, including written music, sound clips, photo galleries, and of course, equipment. Check them out!
Unbelievable talent and depth from a brilliant young singer!
Ronald Spagnardi's excellent monthly magazine for drummers of all styles. Now with downloadable PDF "Lessons", MP3 sound clips, and even video!
This is the official site, produced by Cathy Rich, Buddy's daughter.
Roger Berg's Buddy Rich Appreciation SiteRoger Berg's Buddy Rich Appreciation site, including photos, info, sound clips, and transcriptions.
An excellent site catering to a wide range of tastes, including drum set, hand drumming, world music, and including special features and interviews!
Philadelphia area drummer and drumming instructor Joe Isaacs philosophy of "Drumology" describes his mature and diverse teaching methods. Check out his nice web site, and if you're in the Philadelphia area, contact him.
A great source for a variety of hand-held African hand percussion instruments, including didjeridoos, rain sticks, chimes, and various drums.
Online drum-related books for drummers of all experience levels
Like the name says, a very comprehensive listing of information about drums and drummers. Check this huge listing of information!
Long-time owner Ned Ingberman caters to those of us who enjoy classic drums such as "Radio Kings", "Leedy", and other hard to find vintage types.
Not So Modern Drummer Magazine
Not So Modern Drummer is the only nationwide publication that caters exclusively to the vintage and custom drum aficionado.
A huge archive of photos, by Rodney Harrison
The drum site of Reg Marshall, including some drum studies based on the "Megadiddle"
Cymbalism Music carries meinl Istanbul Ddrum Wuhan at the best prices
The Independent A&R Vehicle connecting unsigned artists, bands and songwriters with major record labels, publishers, and film & TV music supervisors