Poetry is rhythm, rhythm is the language of the drums thus the POETIC DRUMS PROJECT wants to expose the intrinsic poetic nature of the instrument.
The drumset is at the very core of music supporting its very structure. Because of that it is almost always overlooked as a support instrument not qualified enough to be considered an instrument in equal footing with all the others. Hence the expresiion 10 musicians and a drummer or derisive comments as " you are only hitting things".
The POETIC DRUMS PROJECT wants to give back to the drumset its natural stature as an instrument capable of expressing not only rhythm but melody and harmony. Thus it became necessary to present it as a solo instrument delivering a full programme of songs and compositions thoroughlly steeped in traditional styles of music. It was necessary not only to play the instrument at a high technical level but also create a number of new techniques along the way involving different grips, number of sticks ( 2, 3, or 4 sticks) and use of different mediums to hit the drums (mallets, knitting needles, dowels, hands, etc.)
This was first presented in Sergio's first CD "MESSAGE FROM MOTHER AFRICA- Music for solo drumset". It contains solo drums rendition of Johm Coltrane's Giant Steps, Naima, Africa, Milton Nascimento's Cravo e Canela, From the Lonely Afternoons, Wayne Shorter's Nefertit, Mongo Santamaria's Afro Blue; Hebie Hancock's Maiden Voyage and Jazz standard Softly as in a morning sunrise, rounding up the programme with Sergio's sonic poems, a series of percussion interludes weaving in and out of each cover.It was a great challenge to arrange and adapt these jazz and Latin standards for solo drumset in order to show its rhythmic poweras wel as its not so well known melodic and harmonic possibilities. The companion videotape "Live at The Music Gallery" further expands on this repertoire adding Monk's Round Midnight and The Meters classic Cissy Strut.
The POETIC DRUMS PROJECT, now in its third phase, continues this exploration of the instrument this time showcasing Sergio's composing and arranging interpretations of the 64 hexagrams of the I CHING. Each composition also pays tribute to all the drummers and percusionists that made this exploration possible through their lessons, their playing and innovations.
In another level it is also an innovative way to study the drumset based on the principles of the I Ching, applying itsprinciples to interpreting the traditional drumset rudiments and using the emotional qualities of the trigrams to enhance one's musical perfomance. This is the internal training, a compliment to the traditional external training of any instrument, a method of practice that will help you take your drumming (or any other instrument) to a different level (see Internal Drumming)