Pearl Clinic 1997.
GARY HUSBAND CLINIC - LEEDS COLLEGE OF MUSIC
(Leeds, England, October 14th 1997)
"Imagine, for a moment, legends such as Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers paying glowing tribute to your work, along with a CV positively bulging with jobs from the top draw. You now have an insight into the world of Gary Husband. Add to the fact that drumming is actually your second instrument (keyboards being your first) and you instantly become the envy of the world's entire musical population.
Ostensibly known for his phenomenal drumming with names like Level 42, Allan Holdsworth and Syd Lawrence, Husband has also performed with his own quartet on piano at Ronnie Scott's, and played keyboards and drums for Billy Cobham, among countless other projects. On this occasion, part of the Pearl Drums' hugely successful string of clinics, the packed house was treated not only to a scintillating breadth of musical artistry but also to a revealing explanation of the expressive nature of drumming.
The show began with Husband playing two compositions from his recent solo project. The first in particular showed off the full dynamic range of the drum set that is so often overlooked in the quest of the backbeat. Striking cymbals from underneath, on the side, with the butt-end, with timp mallets, and legato rolls around the toms and pianissimo double-bass work, all contributed to exposing the limitless sonic possibilities of the drum kit. In the second piece, Husband constructed a brilliant solo around a simple three note tom-tom motif, to dynamic effect.
There followed an engaging seminar on Husband's own drumming approach, generously acknowledging the teachings of his friend and mentor Geoff Myers. He talked about his experiences, inner flame and spirit being the critical building blocks on which we can develop our own unique personalities and styles. During the question and answer session that came next, a young voice asked 'How old were you when you started drumming?' As he was about to answer, a lady from the middle of the audience interjected 'About six months before he was born!' Husband laughed with the rest of us, proudly introducing his mother and sister to the house, before moving on to discuss and demonstrate invaluable rudimental exercises for the snare drum. This brief flourish proved conclusively that nobody actually masters the drum kit until they have mastered the snare drum.
To complete a tremendous evening, Gary bowed to pressure when asked to 'Show us some grooves!' What followed was an exhilarating and seamless journey through almost every possible style tempo and rhythmic configuration imaginable, displaying unthinkable chops and independence.
At one point the lights went out and, in darkness, the audience were transported to a primitive world of all-consuming rhythm where nothing else seemed to matter."
- Jim Bernardin, Rhythm Magazine - January 1998