Denny AJD
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Denny AJD (AJD is stand for Ahmad Juniar Dirgajaya). Born in Jakarta June 24 1978. Is one of the most respected drummer in Indonesia who has given many contributions to all the drummers in his country.
Starts by winning the Pearl Drums festival in 1999 as the best national drummer. The local Pearl drums dealer quickly made Denny as their Drums Demonstrator and also for Zildjian Cymbals. After two years with Pearl (1999-2001) Drums he join Yamaha. With Yamaha he explore deeper with his drumming thanx to Yamaha drum equipment who support a great deal of quality instruments.
His main influence is Terry Bozzio although he starts drumming after watching Lars Ulrich drumming with Metallica. But he doesn't sound too much like Bozzio, he managed to create his own style which is unique and still sounds like Denny him self although he had the same passion like Bozzio that is Ostinato and melodic drumming.
This Vegetarian drummer is now a National Yamaha Drums Endorsee and Clinician with other Indonesian top drummers like Gilang Ramadhan and Hentriessa and he is the first Indonesian drummer who be a Paiste Cymbal International Endorsee and clinician. And soon enough will be Evans drumhead and Vater drumstick International endorsee. For Yamaha national endorsee, it's a must to use Indonesian made drumset, Yamaha Stage Custom. And for the year 2007, Denny upgrade his set by converting to Yamaha Tour Custom all maple shell, also made with pride in Indonesia.
The contributions he made changes the local Indonesian drummer approach about drumming. These are only few of them:
1. He became the pioneer with his www.KlinikDrum.com [1], the first Indonesian drummer drum portal who offers free lessons, forum, community and interesting drumming equipment. KlinikDrum.com now is one of the biggest drum portal in Asia.
2. The first drum book he wrote and distributed independently "Perkenalan & Perlengkapan Permainan Drum" change the face of previous drum book who wrote by others that are stiff and unattractive. The second book (Panduan Praktic Bermain Drum) which is distributed, printed and published by Gramedia (the largest Indonesian Publisher) gives a national drum educational boost. And the book layout it self turn into 'somewhat' a standart for Indonesian music educational book. After Denny's book release, there's dozen of followers who created their book with the same layout,same price, same theme and sadly same tittle.
3. He also created new level of [Polyrhythm] which he named 4 layers of Polyrhythmic Ostinatos and be the first in the world who played 4 time signatures simultaneously. although these polyrhythms are of the polymetric variety it's not common to play 4 different polymetric in the same time. For example, 4/4 for left foot, 3/4 for the left hand, 5/8 for right hand and finally 7/8 for right hand which is all those patterns are played with the same time. The all time signatures will be back to count "1" after 112 bar of 4/4.
4. Released his very first short running time VCD drum lesson with IMI. With title "Basic Ostinato Drumming". In this video, Denny only teach the most simple ostinato drumming for everybody to learn.
5. Denny is the first Drummer in the world who record 10 short 45 second solo drums. Made specially for Ring Back Tone and for mobile phone ring tone with Barista Mobile a mobile phone content company in Indonesia in February 2006.
He also join with the Opera Band, a local band that consist of Indonesian top players such Ophie Danzo, Dicky Ferdiansyah and Edo Widiz. Edo Widiz and Dicky also a Yamaha guitar endorsee. With the band, he managed to produce more than 3 albums since 2003.
Denny AJD also work as a Drum Instructor in IMI, Indonesia Musician Institute. Faculty Of Percussion. IMI is the one and only modern music college for musician in Indonesia. Establish in year 2000 by a band of famous musicians and located at east jakarta.
Although he active as an player and teacher, Denny feel more lively as an Clininican. With Yamaha and Pearl he had great time performing with top artis like Gregg Bissonette, Kozo Suganuma and Tommy Aldridge. The performance video before Tommy Aldridge Drum Clinic are availabe at YouTube.com.
Denny is now still working for his new books, new DVD lessons and new album with Opera band. For updated, performance schedule simply visit www.KlinikDrum.com.