I traveled to Bangkok in December 2005 with two purposes. One was to attend
the
Bangkok Jazz Festival, and the other was to accompany some musicians on a tour
of both the original and the new factories. Steve Thornton and two students
of
his from Malaysia traveled to Thailand for both events. The festival gave me
an
opportunity to meet some significant names in music, from the legendary Bob
James to Toninho Horta, Robertinho Silva, Jack Lee, Lewis Pragasam, Earl Klugh,
and Ron Otis. There also was an incredible Japanese group whose members' names
I didn't get.
When Steve Thornton entered the new factory
he wanted to know where the
airplanes were! It was so big he thought
a jumbo jet could fit inside. They were
captivated by the level of commitment on
the part both the owners and the
workers, some of whom have been making
our drums for over 25 years. Virtually
everything that goes into making the drums,
from the forming of the heavy gauge
rims, their plating, the sawing and the
shaping of the wood and injection
molding of the tambourine shells is done
in house. The most comprehensive
percussion factory in the world.
After the
factory visit I met up with Steve Thornton
in Malaysia where he
performed two nights in the new No Black
Tie music club that the owner Evelyn
Hii created from the finest materials and
attention to detail -- creating a
small, but acoustically perfect, music
room. Of course the trip to KL wouldn't
be complete without a dim sum meal with
our customer Ken Phua, from Bentley
Music.
To see exclusive photos from
this event, please click
here: Malaysia |
Bangkok
To listen to exclusic music from this event: Track
1 | Track
2 | Track
3
|
