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Original CLANDOU Rhythm

Drums of Distinction

 Voted among the Top Drum Makers in the US and Abroad 

Modern Drummer / Rhythm Music Magazine, 1996 / 1997 

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The "Art of FOLK" 

is under construction ... continuously ...

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Comming ....

 Featured Artists Series

 .........   Designer Thrift Shop   .........

Story Master Studios 2

  The Story Master Collection 








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Original CLANDOU Rhythm

Drums of Distinction

Established 1995

Cropseyville, N.Y.

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The Drums that gave OCR recognition 

in the Gloal Modern and Roots Percussion Communities in 

 the 90's when the Djembe changed the culture...

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.......TRIBE.......

Above 5 photos are drums made by the Martin Luther King crew 

of 4th and 5th graders during my 5 day residency in 1986, Schenectady, NY 

The project was to make professional tube drums from food cans attached with masking tape, usiusing scrap hides and metal cones to head them "Peg Style"

... We also made two small "Djun Djun" Bass drums. 

Professional "Acoustic" drum ... made from discarded materials,

 that when miked will produce quality percussion music




Ako Dun Academy

of Hand Drumming

Established 1995,     Strong Hands Farm,   Cropseyville, N.Y. 

 C.A.S.D.A. Panelist & Roster Artist Educator 1989 - 2004




This is a Classical Art Form ... "Tecnique Matters ...


Above is Jeffery, a student at Martin Lurher King School in Schenectady, NY ( 1987 )

The 5 day workshop was one of many regional sites for the Capital District, NY. Imagination Celebration.



He's learning one of the age old approaches to heading a Djun Djun,

a double headed Bass Drum that accompanys the West African Djembe Drum. 


I began studying the music of the Late Babatunde Olotunji at age 8, among other Caribbean / W. African Percussion and Dance Linguists. My study source was my fathersLarge, Jazz, Pop, R & B and African / "World Music collection" His WM collection predates the modern term.


I picked up drum making from my Father, ( The Late Billy Irving Sr. ) who played Rumba  in the parks and along with my uncle, 

worked on their Congas in our living room weekly ... 









1986 / 1987 ( Schenectady, N.Y. )


Myself (L ) ... and members of the Hamilton Hill Art Center's Umoja and Burundi Drummers

along with the Late Babatunde Olotunji & Drums of Passion.


We performed on the Big Stage at the Empire State Black Arts and Culture Fest







 ... Four Traditionally styled Trap Drums that won me a full color 1/4 page spread

in Modern Drummer Magazine ( 1997) also appearing in Rhythm Music Magazine ( 1996 )


Both magazines listed Top U.S. Custom Drum Makers and the prominent Global rise of the Djembe Cultures


Advanced Student Tim Garrahan playing  a set of Ashikos with

 both my One Hoop Stitch and Two Hoop Tuck, heading styles ... my specialty ...


 The Standing / Seated Warrior

... about Tim ...

... he was my longest standing student / follower / Leader ( 7 Years ) of my school, from my studio 

in Cropseyville, N.Y. ( 1995 ) to The Hilton Center @ 40 Russell Rd, Colonie, N.Y.

Seated Straight ... Elows raised ... fingers relaxed and parallell to the drum 

which is positioned for maximum output of " Chi / Energy " 

... in my classes, students have established roles so they kow what to play as well as how to keep ...


Posture -> Focus -> Techique >  (C) Ensemble Consciousness



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