Review by Ben dawson 

We here in England are generally a cynical lot; enthusiasm and an obvious joie de vivre are something that, as a nation, we mistrust.  There's a sign facing the Atlantic that says "exuberance  not wanted, keep it down" under which someone has penned "just say you're Canadian."  Drummer Mark Schulman clearly missed this sign on his flight over, and we are all the better for it. 

With a passion that was almost instantly contagious (although we were infected in our own English way) he proceeded to provide us a talk on both his professional career (which is cause for extreme jealousy) and on the means by which he achieved his goals, and how we can achieve ours. 

This was not a clinic of chops and poly-rhythms, of techniques and systems; this was about being a successful working musician.  That's not to say the man can't play; if the roster of artists he's worked for doesn't convince you he can, then his solid groove and tasteful fills played with unrelenting power and energy surely will.  This is my kind of drummer.

There are many fantastic drummers to see in drum clinics today, and they are giving us all maps to climb mountains and arming us with the potential for chops galore.  Being able to play better than anyone else in the world means nothing to one's livelihood as a drummer, however, if you don't have the tools to succeed.  Mark Schulman provides his audience with the tools and attitude with which to achieve this, which makes his the most essential masterclass I've been to so far.