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. I can’t wait to get back down there to start making music with all the talented musicians there and for the lovely audiences there!
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Seattle, WA USA Guadalajara, JAL MX
Ian Dobson Music Newsletter
Hello World!
What an amazing Spring-Summer 2024 season we’ve had so far! Thank you to all of our musical friends that wanted to celebrate their library openings, festivals, school assemblies, outdoor concerts, and private events with us.
Dancin' all around
I gotta say, it’s been super crazy here in the last couple of months!
I've been traveling non-stop since late May, and happily so! From Seattle to Oregon to Kansas and all over Washington, we’ve had so much fun with Steel Drum Parties, Recycalypso Workshops and Tropical Escapes.
I videod and uploaded some of the audience remixes I’ve improvised during these performances. Check'em out! These remixes are created with the audiences' sounds that I capture live during our performances and reflect the audience's creativity, a delightful group music making experience, and a fun way to remember the show.
Did you add your musical voice to any of these show remixes?
Opening of Summer Reading at Muckleshoot Library
Thank you, librarian Robbin!
My Recycalypso workshop/show takes a bit of preparation on the part of the person putting it on. Ms. Robbin from the Muckleshoot King County Library did such an amazing job with these preparations! She generously agreed to allow me to video as she showed off the resources she prepared for Recycalypso. This video is highly-recommended watching for librarians, school teachers, homeschool parents, or anyone else who would like to present my Recycalypso program because offers great ideas of ways to engage attendees prior to my performance.
Click here to watch and be inspired!!
Librarian Robbin
Gig at Clark College
I've had the privilege to perform at Clark College a number of times over the years. It is always fun! Here are some pics that the folks at Clark College took of our performance during their Spring Fest. Thank you Clark College for having us again!
Our Tonala Adventure
As many of you might know, I spent the 2023-2024 Winter season in Mexico. During this time, we had the opportunity to visit a very interesting place: a komil distillery. Among many other things, I learned that this traditional liquor is NOT to be confused with mezcal or tequila!
Please enjoy this short video of our visit.
Let me know if you can make it to any of our concerts, it’s gonna be a blast seeing you!
BOOK NOW FOR THE END OF SUMMER AND FOR FALL
It has been a spring/summer absolutely packed with performances, but as summer draws to a close I have a few more spaces opening up in my schedule. What better time to book that end-of-summer party, back to school celebration for your community, back-to-school assembly where you teach, or any other event in the next few months where you would like some joyous music!
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PACIFIC NORTHWEST BOOKINGS available through early November, 2024
MEXICO BOOKINGS available from December 2024 through April 2025
Follow these steps to book your tropical party TODAY: |
BOOK BEFORE SEPTEMBER 8TH FOR A 2024 DATE AND MENTION THIS NEWSLETTER AND YOU'LL RECEIVE A 15% DISCOUNT ON YOUR BOOKING!!!
That’s all for now, friends. See you next time!
Keep dancin’
Ian Dobson
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People often ask if I can you play Hawaiian music for a concert or private event.
The short but inadequate answer to this question is that yes, I do play Hawaiian music. I play ukulele and sing songs you would hear in Hawaii, and even a few that include some version of the Hawaiian language. I also play marimba and steel drum, which are associated with tropical and Hawaiian music. The problem is that the definition of Hawaiian music that the person asking has will determine whether they ultimately think that I am playing Hawaiian music.
That said, I have never had an unhappy customer for a Hawaiian event where I have performed. In fact, quite a few of them have had me back for many years for their annual luau!
As someone with an academic background in music and musicology and who has been performing professionally for decades, deciding what someone means when they say they want Hawaiian music is not as simple as it seems like it should be. The issue is that, just like in every other area of life (cuisine, agriculture, technology, and especially language), music in any culture is constantly evolving with the influx of influences from other cultures, technological innovations, etc.
If you define Hawaiian music as what existed pre-European contact you are referring to a music that includes mainly shark-skin drums, flutes, a gourd percussion instrument called an "ipu", shackers, and, especially, chanting.
Here is an example of what this music may have sounded like:
This would likely have been accompanied by hula dancing, but only by big muscular men. I have only worked with one group in the Pacific Northwest that offers entertainment similar to this. I do not believe that they are still performing, however.
If your idea of Hawaiian music is ukuleles with beautiful vocal harmonies, that type of music is really a product of the colonial era and of the accelerated cultural exchanges that any seafaring society experiences. The use European harmonies in singing was mainly introduced by missionaires. The ukulele was introduced by Portuguese settlers to Hawaii in the late 19th century.
Or maybe your idea of Hawaiian music is the Hawaiian-born Don Ho, most famous for his song and album Tiny Bubbles. Ho was of very mixed ethnic origins, as are most contemporary Hawaiians. His ancestors were native Hawaiian, Chinese, Portugues, Dutch and German. Or maybe your concept of Hawaiian music includes Elvis Presley songs. Maybe it includes Jack Johnson, a popular, Hawaiian born-and-bred musician of the past several decades... or Bob Marley since his music and reggae in general are very popular in Hawaii... or maybe Jason Mraz, who's music also seems to lend itself to a Hawaiian vibe. And then of course there is Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, who's incredible voice is so associated with Hawaiian music, except that some of his most popular songs are covers of North American popular music: Over the Rainbow, What a Wonderful World, Country Road, etc.
Here are my ideas of Hawaiin music and how best to provide ambiance for a Hawaiian event.
Instruments: steel drums didn't originate in Hawaii or even Polynesia generally. However, they are a very common type of entertainment at Hawaiian-themed parties. They are also common now in Hawaii. Steel drums and marimbas have a lot in commin with the log drum, which is a very traditional Polynesian instrument from the pre-European era. I consider that, at this point, steel drums, marimbas, and vibraphones are part of the Hawaiian tradition. One important proponant of marimba and vibraphone in Hawaiian music is Arthur Lyman. Lyman was an Hawaiian jazz vibraphone and marimba player who's group popularized a style of faux-Polynesian music during the 1950s and 1960s which later became known as exotica. Check out the video below for an example:
Song Selection:
In terms of repertoire, my approach to Hawaiian-themed events is to generally select songs that audiences associate with a tropical vacation and, most importantly, are probably familiar with. People almost always prefer to hear songs they know! I perform a good helping of songs by Hawaiian artists like Iz and Jack Johnson, as well as others, such as songs from the Hawaii-focused Disney film Moana. I also typically perform Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, and other non-Hawaiian artists who are nevertheless associated with tropical sounds and VERY well known and loved by audiences.
If you want an accurate musical representation of pre-European-contact Hawaiian music I am not the best choice. However, if you want some very accessible and fun entertainment for a Hawaiian event my solo or group performances are a great option with decades of experience and happy Hawaiian-event-planning clients!
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[Verse]
G Em
Almost Heaven, West Makaha,
D C G
high-ridge mountain, crystal-clear blue water.
Em
All my friends there hanging on da beach,
D
young and old among them,
C G
feel the ocean breeze.
[Chorus]
G D
Country road, take me home,
Em C
to the place I belong,
G D
West Makaha, Mount Ka'ala.
C G
Oh, take me home, oh, country road.
[Bridge]
Em D
I heard a voice,
G
in the morning calm, she calls me,
C G D
as though to remind me of my Home far away.
Em F
Driving down the road,
C
I feel the Spirit coming to me,
D D7
from yesterday, yesterday.
[Verse]
G Em
All my memories hold Heaven on high,
D C G
brown-skinned woman, clear blue island sky.
Em
Daytime sunshine, oo-ooh so bright,
D C G
midnight moon a-glowing, stars up in the sky.
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
[Verse]
G Em
Almost Heaven, West Makaha,
D C G
high-ridge mountain, crystal-clear blue water.
Em
All my friends there hanging on da beach,
D
young and old among them,
C G
eating fish straight from the sea.
[Chorus] x4
[fade out spoken]
G D
Huuhuu. Huuu-tah.
Em C
Good fo' be back.
C D
White san', clean watah.
C G
Hô boy, the mountain...feel the makani...
whew, what a place.
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Yesterday, just before doing my regular Sunday Steel Drum Party, I participated in a pre-mothers' day Zoom performance for the Tabernacle M.B. Church in Tallahassee, Florida. It was a blast!
Spring has sprung and I am back in Seattle for a few days to perform at the Boats Afloat Show on Lake Union, tomorrow, Saturday!
Please pardon the new newsletter formatting. I am getting the newsletter set up on a new platform.
I will only be around for about a week, into the very beginning of May. If you have been thinking about throwing a party between now and around May 12th, please reach out and let's get you some live, tropical music to take your party to the next level!
How about a Cinco de Mayo party!?!
Please let me know before Monday, May 2nd. After your party :) I'm heading back to Guadalajara for several weeks, then I'll be back at the beginning of June. Lot's of demand for June, but there are still dates available from June through the rest of the summer. Let's enjoy life this summer!
Upcoming Shows
***Boats Afloat Show
4/30/2022 3pm to 6pm, Chandler's Cove, 901 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
I'll be playing for a yacht christening party at the Outer Reef Yachts booth.
Artist: Ian Dobson Solo
Click Here for Tickets and Details
***Ian Dobson's Virtual Steel Drum Party
5/1/2022 4pm to 4:30pm PST
Please click here to get your free ticket!
Keep dancin’
Ian Dobson
CLICK HERE for full schedule
Spring has sprung, and so I announce the sprouting of a tiny bud of an idea I have been thinking about and planning for years. But first, a quick note about a great show tomorrow…
SHOW
***Kent Regional Library-Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
3/26/16 3pm to 3:45pm, Kent Regional Library, 212 2nd Avenue North, Kent, WA 98032, United States
Artist: Ian Dobson
Free!
Details: Culture, Music, Creativity, Technology
Dance, clap, and stomp along to live steel drum music! This rhythmical journey uses music, dance, and movement to inspire resourcefulness, creativity, confidence, and an interest in exploring other languages and cultures. Ian has performed it hundreds of times all over the United States for young audiences large and small. Ian is performing as part of the King County Library System’s “Many Voices, One Land” 2016 program.
And now back to my big announcement!
RHYTHM ACADEMY
My Rhythm Academy offers educational music performances and workshops, but it has always been my plan that, at its heart, the Rhythm Academy would offer innovative percussion curriculum that can be accessed anywhere.
The overall goal is to create adventures in music by making learning music accessible, affordable and social. The strategy is to leverage the number of students I can reach by encouraging peer mentoring through socialnetworking. The on-line, social-network-based curriculum includes:
*Peer Mentoring
*Frequent Instructor Evaluation
*Step-By-Step Curriculum
*Gaming Elements
I am just trying out this teaching concept for the first time and eager to see how it works and what sort of feedback I receive. For now the on-line curriculum/rhythm game is just for minors, but requires an adult to sign up for my web site on behalf of the minor. If you are already signed up for my web site it is easy to add a minor to your account.
SO, WHO WANTS TO BE AN INTREPID ALPHA TESTER?!
Do you have children, grandchildren, or other kids in your life that might enjoy trying out a new way of learning music? If so, please click on the page below:
https://iandobson.ning.com/group/rhythm-academy-alpha-testers
Thank you!!!! I am very excited about this…
LEND YOUR COLORING SKILLS-NEW ARTWORK
My new artwork for the Ian Dobson’s Steel Drum Party show is so much fun!
But wait, do you or someone you know like to color? Here is an outline version of the above picture for you, your kids, or your friends to color in. Why not add in some musical notes while you’re at it?
please click here for a link to the coloring page for printing
If you are a member of www.iandobson.com I would love to see you scan (or take a picture on your phone) your colored page and post it on the site. Or just email it back to me at this address and I will post it.
Have fun!
I look forward to seeing you at the Rhythm Academy-either on line or at one of my shows or workshops!
Ian Dobson
Oh my it’s been a long time since I’ve sent out a newsletter. So much exciting stuff has been going on that I haven’t had a chance. I'm thrilled to give you an update now!
I had a very busy summer full of rewarding performances throughout the Puget sound area and beyond. This fall I had a great tour of schools in Washington, Montana, and Idaho. I am terribly excited about the creative possibilities of my very unique musical setup as I continue to master all this new technology.
I am hoping in about one week to have my first on-line, gamified lesson posted for Ian Dobson’s Rhythm Academy. Please keep your eyes out for a newsletter regarding that shortly. I would love for as many kids as possible to sign up and give it a try!
Please come and join me in the next several days for some creative, rhythmic, tropical fun. Here are some upcoming public shows:
***Tommy Bahama Spring Line Launch -Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/6/16 1pm to 5pm, Tommy Bahama, Bellevue Square (The Bellevue Collection), Bellevue, WA, United States
Artist: Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details
Stop by the store if you are in the area. Ian will be doing a chilled-out bunch of sets creating an awesome island vibe. They are launching their new Spring arrivals from their new design team.
*** Redmond Regional Library-Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/7/16 1pm to 1:45pm, 15990 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052, United States
Artist:
Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details:
Culture, Music, Creativity, Technology
Dance, clap, and stomp along to live steel drum music! This rhythmical journey uses music, dance, and movement to inspire resourcefulness, creativity, confidence, and an interest in exploring other languages and cultures. Ian has performed it hundreds of times all over the United States for young audiences large and small. Ian is performing as part of the King County Library System’s “Many Voices, One Land” 2016 program.
*** Des Moines Library-Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/16/16 12:30pm to 1:15pm, 21620 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198, United States
Artist:
Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details:
Culture, Music, Creativity, Technology
Same show as February 7th in Redmond, see description above.
Library Phone: 206-824-6066
This fall I created a bunch of remixes of live shows. I remixed all of my shows from my Montana/Idaho tour and a good number of library and festival shows and workshops from last summer. Please click here to check them out on my youtube channel.
If you saw one of my shows in 2015 and don’t see a remix of that show here please let me know if you would be interested in having one. If I get enough interest in a particular show I may be able to create a remix of it.
I have already booked a ton of library shows for summer 2016. I have a special show this summer in honor of the olympics called:
Clap Hands, Stomp Feet, Find Brazil’s Olympic Beat
Please click here to see all the shows and workshops I am currently offering.
I look forward to seeing you at one of these winter shows!
Oh my it’s been a long time since I’ve sent out a newsletter. So much exciting stuff has been going on that I haven’t had a chance. I'm thrilled to give you an update now!
I had a very busy summer full of rewarding performances throughout the Puget sound area and beyond. This fall I had a great tour of schools in Washington, Montana, and Idaho. I am terribly excited about the creative possibilities of my very unique musical setup as I continue to master all this new technology.
I am hoping in about one week to have my first on-line, gamified lesson posted for Ian Dobson’s Rhythm Academy. Please keep your eyes out for a newsletter regarding that shortly. I would love for as many kids as possible to sign up and give it a try!
Please come and join me in the next several days for some creative, rhythmic, tropical fun. Here are some upcoming public shows:
***Tommy Bahama Spring Line Launch -Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/6/16 1pm to 5pm, Tommy Bahama, Bellevue Square (The Bellevue Collection), Bellevue, WA, United States
Artist: Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details
Stop by the store if you are in the area. Ian will be doing a chilled-out bunch of sets creating an awesome island vibe. They are launching their new Spring arrivals from their new design team.
*** Redmond Regional Library-Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/7/16 1pm to 1:45pm, 15990 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052, United States
Artist:
Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details:
Culture, Music, Creativity, Technology
Dance, clap, and stomp along to live steel drum music! This rhythmical journey uses music, dance, and movement to inspire resourcefulness, creativity, confidence, and an interest in exploring other languages and cultures. Ian has performed it hundreds of times all over the United States for young audiences large and small. Ian is performing as part of the King County Library System’s “Many Voices, One Land” 2016 program.
*** Des Moines Library-Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/16/16 12:30pm to 1:15pm, 21620 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198, United States
Artist:
Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details:
Culture, Music, Creativity, Technology
Same show as February 7th in Redmond, see description above.
Library Phone: 206-824-6066
This fall I created a bunch of remixes of live shows. I remixed all of my shows from my Montana/Idaho tour and a good number of library and festival shows and workshops from last summer. Please click here to check them out on my youtube channel.
If you saw one of my shows in 2015 and don’t see a remix of that show here please let me know if you would be interested in having one. If I get enough interest in a particular show I may be able to create a remix of it.
I have already booked a ton of library shows for summer 2016. I have a special show this summer in honor of the olympics called:
Clap Hands, Stomp Feet, Find Brazil’s Olympic Beat
Please click here to see all the shows and workshops I am currently offering.
I look forward to seeing you at one of these winter shows!
Oh my it’s been a long time since I’ve sent out a newsletter. So much exciting stuff has been going on that I haven’t had a chance. I'm thrilled to give you an update now!
I had a very busy summer full of rewarding performances throughout the Puget sound area and beyond. This fall I had a great tour of schools in Washington, Montana, and Idaho. I am terribly excited about the creative possibilities of my very unique musical setup as I continue to master all this new technology.
I am hoping in about one week to have my first on-line, gamified lesson posted for Ian Dobson’s Rhythm Academy. Please keep your eyes out for a newsletter regarding that shortly. I would love for as many kids as possible to sign up and give it a try!
Please come and join me in the next several days for some creative, rhythmic, tropical fun. Here are some upcoming public shows:
***Tommy Bahama Spring Line Launch -Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/6/16 1pm to 5pm, Tommy Bahama, Bellevue Square (The Bellevue Collection), Bellevue, WA, United States
Artist: Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details
Stop by the store if you are in the area. Ian will be doing a chilled-out bunch of sets creating an awesome island vibe. They are launching their new Spring arrivals from their new design team.
*** Redmond Regional Library-Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/7/16 1pm to 1:45pm, 15990 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052, United States
Artist:
Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details:
Culture, Music, Creativity, Technology
Dance, clap, and stomp along to live steel drum music! This rhythmical journey uses music, dance, and movement to inspire resourcefulness, creativity, confidence, and an interest in exploring other languages and cultures. Ian has performed it hundreds of times all over the United States for young audiences large and small. Ian is performing as part of the King County Library System’s “Many Voices, One Land” 2016 program.
*** Des Moines Library-Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/16/16 12:30pm to 1:15pm, 21620 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198, United States
Artist:
Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details:
Culture, Music, Creativity, Technology
Same show as February 7th in Redmond, see description above.
Library Phone: 206-824-6066
This fall I created a bunch of remixes of live shows. I remixed all of my shows from my Montana/Idaho tour and a good number of library and festival shows and workshops from last summer. Please click here to check them out on my youtube channel.
If you saw one of my shows in 2015 and don’t see a remix of that show here please let me know if you would be interested in having one. If I get enough interest in a particular show I may be able to create a remix of it.
I have already booked a ton of library shows for summer 2016. I have a special show this summer in honor of the olympics called:
Clap Hands, Stomp Feet, Find Brazil’s Olympic Beat
Please click here to see all the shows and workshops I am currently offering.
I look forward to seeing you at one of these winter shows!
Oh my it’s been a long time since I’ve sent out a newsletter. So much exciting stuff has been going on that I haven’t had a chance. I'm thrilled to give you an update now!
I had a very busy summer full of rewarding performances throughout the Puget sound area and beyond. This fall I had a great tour of schools in Washington, Montana, and Idaho. I am terribly excited about the creative possibilities of my very unique musical setup as I continue to master all this new technology.
I am hoping in about one week to have my first on-line, gamified lesson posted for Ian Dobson’s Rhythm Academy. Please keep your eyes out for a newsletter regarding that shortly. I would love for as many kids as possible to sign up and give it a try!
Please come and join me in the next several days for some creative, rhythmic, tropical fun. Here are some upcoming public shows:
***Tommy Bahama Spring Line Launch -Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/6/16 1pm to 5pm, Tommy Bahama, Bellevue Square (The Bellevue Collection), Bellevue, WA, United States
Artist: Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details
Stop by the store if you are in the area. Ian will be doing a chilled-out bunch of sets creating an awesome island vibe. They are launching their new Spring arrivals from their new design team.
*** Redmond Regional Library-Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/7/16 1pm to 1:45pm, 15990 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052, United States
Artist:
Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details:
Culture, Music, Creativity, Technology
Dance, clap, and stomp along to live steel drum music! This rhythmical journey uses music, dance, and movement to inspire resourcefulness, creativity, confidence, and an interest in exploring other languages and cultures. Ian has performed it hundreds of times all over the United States for young audiences large and small. Ian is performing as part of the King County Library System’s “Many Voices, One Land” 2016 program.
*** Des Moines Library-Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party-Solo
2/16/16 12:30pm to 1:15pm, 21620 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198, United States
Artist:
Ian Dobson
Tickets:
Free!
Details:
Culture, Music, Creativity, Technology
Same show as February 7th in Redmond, see description above.
Library Phone: 206-824-6066
This fall I created a bunch of remixes of live shows. I remixed all of my shows from my Montana/Idaho tour and a good number of library and festival shows and workshops from last summer. Please click here to check them out on my youtube channel.
If you saw one of my shows in 2015 and don’t see a remix of that show here please let me know if you would be interested in having one. If I get enough interest in a particular show I may be able to create a remix of it.
I have already booked a ton of library shows for summer 2016. I have a special show this summer in honor of the olympics called:
Clap Hands, Stomp Feet, Find Brazil’s Olympic Beat
Please click here to see all the shows and workshops I am currently offering.
I look forward to seeing you at one of these winter shows!
I think making music out of recycled oil barrels is really cool. I also think this is really cool! https://youtu.be/B8AYZaKBsoQ
This represents one complete show (video from two different performances) and includes two of the optional activities: the cup song and inventing musical instruments out of recycled materials. Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Party is one of the summer reading programs that I am offering to libraries for summer 2016. The optional activities can be done by library patrons at home before the show or the librarian can organize them as activities at the library prior to the show.
Enjoy!
Affro Reggae does great work in Brazil and elsewhere, particularly in the slums ("favelas") of Brazil. This is a great video just in time for the climate summit in Paris. They are going around their community and collecting plastic materials and creating music with those materials.
