I'm a vocal percussionist.
A what?
Vocal percussionist. Human beatbox. I drum with my mouth. With just my lips and a microphone, I produce drum kits, drum machines, turntables, hip hop and drum-n-bass loops, Latin and African percussion, et cetera.
How can I say this without seeming immodest? I'm good at it.
Jon Carroll of the San Francisco Chronicle called me "a tall man with lips of pure gold... He sounds exactly like an entire drum kit."
Singers.com said, "His work still baffles drummers." Australian a cappella expert
Tony Backhouse called me "a new strain of vocal virtuoso." An Amazon.com
reviewer said, "Andrew Chaikin is a GOD!!!"
You really have to hear it to understand, so go
take a listen and come back. (I'll wait.)
Where would one, um, do this?
I perform and record with a cappella bands, rock bands, rappers, techno-tribal collectives, Stomp-like percussion ensembles, singer-songwriters, you name it. (To receive word on upcoming shows,
get on my list.)
You can hear my work on albums by my former band
The House Jacks, who signed with Warner Bros. in the mid-90's. I've also been brought in to funkify albums by the Bobs, the Nylons, the Persuasions, +4db, Dilemma, and more.
Where can I learn how to do this vocal percussion thing?
I give master classes and beginners' workshops -- including some every quarter at the
Jazzschool in Berkeley CA -- which you'll hear about if you're on either of my
mailing lists. I also give private lessons;
contact me for more info.
