Drumming up support for Kuumbwa Jazz Center - Santa Cruz, CA.

On Monday, August 13th 2007 - Johnny Craviotto met with Tim Jackson of Santa Cruz California's famed Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Craviotto Drum Company supplied the Jazz venue with a new Craviotto drum set, for all visiting drummer's to enjoy.This solid-ply maple, nine-piece drum set will grace Kuumbwa's stage, as musicians from all over the world visit Santa Cruz to perform in one of the west coast's most respected Jazz establishments.

Kuumbwa Jazz Center opened its doors on May 27, 1977. The opening ceremonies continued for a week, featuring the best jazz performers in Santa Cruz.Those first few concerts featured Smith Dobson's group and the Hy-Tones, which boasted local heroes Paul Contos, Paul Nagel, Jim Baum and bassist Stan Poplin. Unlike most clubs, there was no bar, no cafe, no noise and no smoke. More than one musician commented that this space was more like a church than a jazz club.

"One of the things that the musicians appreciated was the fact that this was a quiet place just to listen to music" recalls Jackson. This environment perfectly complimented the artistic philosophy that Kuumbwa has always adhered to; the center has always respected jazz as an art form and has given it a place to truly be heard.

With a great stage, and close crowd interaction, Kuumbwa soon became a favorite-gig for touring Jazz musicians, local poetry troupes, and folk singers alike. Kuumbwa Jazz Center plays host to a large part of the culture that makes Santa Cruz, California what it is. Besides being a concert hall, the Kuumbwa hosts composer's workshops, jazz education classes and unscheduled, unmitigated and unlicensed jams.

Johnny Craviotto, with his artistry and mastery for making the world's best drums, wanted to contribute to Kuumbwa. Craviotto is a native of the Santa Cruz area, and it was only fitting that one of the world's best Jazz venues - has the world's best drums. Craviotto drums hold a standard of excellence world-wide. The quality, craftsmanship, and unsurpassed tonality of Johnny's solid-ply drums are used by the music industry's top musicians.

Craviotto Drum Company is proud to be associated with Kuumbwa Jazz Center of Santa Cruz. We look forward to having the industries best musicians & drummers, play Craviotto's handcrafted, solid-ply drums at Kuumbwa Jazz Center.

Check out Kuumbwa's upcoming shows, and visiting artists:

KUUMBWA JAZZ CENTER
320-2 Cedar Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831)427-2227
kuumbwa@kuumbwajazz.org