What was it like performing at Julia Butterfly Hills tree sit?
Amazing. First we played a concert in town to celebrate her six-month anniversary in the tree. The next day we were on the highway shoulder with a flatbed truck drumming. Hours later, 300 of us, old and young, marched in a procession up the mountain to where she was. I actually strength-trained to tackle that mountain. We played “Not Fade Away” to her 300 feet upwards. The night before, her friends gave her a radio with an input to our concert. She wound up reading a poem over our music, live in concert. I saw Planet Drum at UCONN last year and it was like I was transported out of my body, stone sober. What does playing with [Giovanni] Hidalgo and Zakir [Hussain] do for your playing? Giovanni and Zakir are masters of interior increments of rhythm and I play larger-time big grooves. Our styles match well and we have a blast on and off the stage which is an honor for me. Imagine how transported I feel. Do you ever think of reviving the Diga Rhythm Band? That’s a real hassle. Can I find t
