Join us for the Learning Experience of a Lifetime!

With BILLY COBHAM and the ART OF THE RHYTHM SECTION coaching team: Dom Famularo, Fareed Haque, Paul Hanson,
Tim Landers, and Scott Tibbs PLUS SPECIAL GUEST COACHES RON CARTER, KENNY BARRON AND LEE OSKAR!

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Learn The Art Of The Rhythm Section
From A Team Of World-Class Coaches

Drummers, Guitarists, Bass Players,
Keyboardists, and Woodwind Players!

Musicians, Students and Educators – THIS IS FOR YOU!

You'll Discover How To:

  • Gain and build trust among fellow Rhythm Section musicians in performance.
  • Stay in sync with yourself so that you can control what you play through your instrument while receiving information from your colleagues in the Rhythm Section.
  • Keenly listen in performance, interpret what is offered by your fellow players and offer effective musical ideas in return.
  • Control tempo and provide a sense of security in performance.
  • Present a more harmonious musical character through heightened awareness.
  • Remain in control of syncopated musical ideas within the performance.

Enjoy a Variety of INCREDIBLE Learning Experiences:

  • Interactive lectures
  • Break-out groups and rotations with each coach
  • Lively Discussions
  • Video analysis
  • Playing exercises
  • Jam sessions
  • Special guest coaches Ron Carter and Kenny Barron on Wednesday, 7/25 with a special "Art of Three in Conversation and Song" with Billy, Ron and Kenny on Wednesday evening
  • Special guest coach Lee Oskar on Thursday, 7/26
  • Special Saturday night performance on 7/28 at 7:30pm with Billy and the CROSSWINDS PROJECT BAND at the beautiful Mesa Arts Center

NEW!

Art of the Rhythm Section Retreat participants will also have the opportunity to be invited to be professionally assessed to receive a certificate in the Art of the Rhythm Section, awarded by Rockschool Limited, a worldwide issuer of graded music exams, Teaching, and Performance diplomas.

We will be using the Billy Cobham Real Book for reference/playing during the Retreat, and ask that all participants obtain this book in advance to become familiarized with the material before the Retreat. Participants will receive a special discount code during the registration process.

Limited Space Available.

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Download the flyer.

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Your coaches


billy cobham

Master drummer and percussionist, composer, producer, educator, clinician and creative visionary who gives service through music as he constantly expands his personal creative expression. The Art of the Rhythm Section Retreat is the culmination of Billy’s life’s work.

The Team

Learn the finer points of working as a cohesive unit in the Rhythm Section with jazz fusion pioneer Billy Cobham, along with Fareed Haque (guitar), Tim Landers (bass), Paul Hanson (woodwinds), Scott Tibbs (keyboards), and global drumming ambassador Dom Famularo – with special guest coaches Ron Carter, Kenny Barron and Lee Oskar!


dom famularo

Dom Famularo has been traveling the globe preaching the gospel of drumming for over 40 years. Dom’s career has been built upon his unique skills as a drummer, educator, author and motivational speaker.

fareed haque

Fareed Haque is a modern guitar virtuoso. Steeped in classical and jazz traditions, his unique command of the guitar and different musical styles inspire his musical ventures with tradition and fearless innovation.

tim landers

Tim Landers is a Grammy Award-winning Producer, Instrumentalist, and for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance. He was also voted as one of “Top 50 bassists of 20th century”, Bass Player magazine — 2000, and nominated for Juno Award as member of group “Secret Sky” 2016. Tim has countless film, television and radio credits, which include CBS, NBC, Fox, Duck Dynasty, Friends, The Golden Globes, The Emmys, The Grammys, The Hallmark Channel and ESPN. Since 1980 he has recorded with artists such as Tori Amos, Al Stewart, Vince Neil, Dave Grusin, Beyonce and Graham Nash, and produced two dozen albums for artists including Billy Cobham, Mindi Abair, Crimson Jazz Trio, Iron Butterfly and John Tesh.

scott tibbs

Scott can be seen playing with the likes of Omar Hakim (Daft Punk, Madona, Sting, Weather Report), Peter Erskine, Billy Cobham Crosswind Project, and more. His arrangements/production can be heard on recordings and tours of Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen and more...as well as many TV and film productions. Currently, Scott focuses on performance, production, and education. He teaches composition, production, and music technology at Fullerton College in Los Angeles, and regularly speaks at Berklee College of Music, USC, University of Denver, and several other universities in the US.

paul hanson

Paul Hanson, internationally known as a top jazz bassoonist, has roots both in jazz and classical music as a conservatory trained bassoonist currently active in both idioms. Paul’s list of credits include Wayne Shorter, Brian Blade, Cirque Du Soleil, Victor Wooten, Bela Fleck, Peter Erskine, Billy Childs, Miguel Zenon and SF Jazz, Billy Higgins, David Binney, Ray Charles, Charlie Hunter, Patrice Rushen, Dennis Chambers, Abraham Laboriel, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jonas Hellborg, Afro/Cuban pianist Omar Sosa, Kai Eckhardt, Peter Apfelbaum, The Paul Dresher Ensemble, DAVKA, St. Joseph Ballet Company, The Klezmorim, as jazz soloist with the Oakland Eastbay Symphony Orchestra, as classical soloist with the Napa Symphony Orchestra and Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra. His bassoon role with Cirque Du Soleil was created specifically for him.
Paul has won awards both in classical and jazz music-with Bela Fleck he won a Grammy in 2000. Paul has taught numerous masterclasses worldwide.

Special Guest coaches


ron carter

Ron Carter is among the most original, prolific, and influential bassists in jazz history, with more than 2,200 albums to his credit. Ron teaches frequently at master classes around the world. He has also received 5 honorary doctorates, most recently from The Juilliard School. Ron continues to tour worldwide, playing to sold-out crowds across Europe, Asia, and South America.

kenny barron

Honored by The National Endowment for the Arts as a 2010 Jazz Master, Kenny Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms.” Whether he is playing solo, trio or quintet, Kenny Barron is recognized the world over as a master of performance and composition.

lee oskar

Lee Oskar is a world-renowned harmonica virtuoso, composer, producer, and manufacturer of Lee Oskar Harmonicas. In his iconic role as a founding member/lead harmonica player for WAR, Lee and colleagues composed and recorded megahits such as “Low Rider,” “Cisco Kid,” and many more, He and his original band mates now perform as the LowRider Band. He also performs his own compositions with musicians from the Pacific NW, as Lee Oskar & Friends.

venue

Mesa Arts Center is a unique, architecturally stunning,
international award winning facility located in the heart of downtown Mes

Mesa Arts Center

venue

address

One East Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
1.480.644.6500

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Accommodations

Discounted rooms available for the
Art of the Rhythm Section Retreat.
Breakfast included in nightly rate.

Phoenix Marriott Mesa

200 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201
1.480.898.8300

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Full Retreat

The cost is $1,250 per individual.

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If you're an advanced student, educator, or high-intermediate to highly advanced level of musician, this program is for you! For optimal participation in this program, you need to have a good command of your instrument, from at least a high-intermediate to a highly advanced level, plus a basic understanding of how to collaborate with one another in the Rhythm Section, in terms of presenting a musical statement as a group. While it's not required to read music/sight read, it would be helpful, but not necessary.

Please note: This program is not intended for beginner to basic-intermediate musicians. This intensive program is chiefly about how to interpret, translate and react to the musical ideas presented. Billy and our coaching team will be working with you, and are not there to be judgmental personally or over-critical. This is a fun and supportive learning environment where everyone learns together from the immersive experience.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Documentary From Past Retreats