Alongside his work of nearly 30 years as a drummer with iconic rock band the Grateful Dead, Mickey Hart has flourished as a solo artist, painter, bandleader and the author of several books. His lifelong interest in ethnomusicology, along with his travels and love of all things percussion have led him to amass a remarkable collection of instruments, and to collaborate with musical masters the world over. Hart became interested in percussion as a grade-school student. Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji performed at schools around the country in the late 1950s and had the students try out the drums. Hart had been one of those students and he never forgot the experience. Olatunji later taught Hart and collaborated with Hart and the Grateful Dead on a regular basis. 'Innovators in Music' was fortunate to spend the better part of two days at Mickey's home and studio in a remote area of northern California. Mr. Hart generously shares his thoughts about music, art, space, vibrations, percussion, the Big Bang, the Grateful Dead, and the impromptu miracle of true collaborative improvisation. He gives us a tour of his painting studio, expounds on the benefits of growing Japanese Bonsai trees, and reveals the secret foraging methods that led to his discovery of a spectacular set of petrified Redwood Deadwood. We also see his recording studio, home to the world's largest private collection of drums. Watch and listen as Mickey is joined by Indian tabla master Zakir Hussein and Nigerian talking drum guru Sikiru Adepoju for an exclusive session of music recorded for Innovators!
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