Versatile     LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Tasteful     DRUMMING & PERCUSSION

Drum      LESSONS, GEAR & REPAIR

For demo click on "VIDEO" or "AUDIO (Navigation bar on left)

CONTACT:   tastethedrums@gmail.com     503-998-3786    Vancouver, WA. USA

CURRENTLY BOOKING:      Spring/Summer events.                  

It is never TOO EARLY to plan ahead for your entertainment needs. You should ask me about the increasingly popular 'BACK YARD JAZZ', featuring whichever one of my favorite two pianist/singers is available for your event.

"Al Maier" or "Al Maier & Friends" ?

Whatever your entertainment needs or budget, Al can provide all the music you are capable of drinking in, whether in the form of a one-man-band, duo, trio or quartet. It's YOUR choice!  

Any way you'd like it, please consider Al Maier as solo artist, or "Al Maier & Friends" for your:

• PRIVATE Party
• CORPORTATE celebrations
• WINE TASTINGS
• BIRTHDAYS
• ANNIVERSARIES
• SPECIAL GATHERINGS
• Wedding RECEPTIONS
• SPONTANEOUS BBQ, where you're just having a few friends over.
•                     NO event too small to give me a call.
•  
• ALSO AVAILABLE:
  
• D-jaying (in between playing live, if needed)
  
• P.A system needs (have all equipment for moderate size venue)

 Please schedule with as much time allowance as possible.  Try me, as I may be able to accomodate short notice, too.

As"Al & Friends"
You're the boss!!     Whether you need a full ensemble or just the "one-man-band",  style of music and dynamics of 'delivery' are up to YOU.

Pick from LATIN, to JAZZ, to FUNK, to R & B, to CLASSIC ROCK and more, or we can just mix-N-match, according to the atmosphere at your event. You'll discover that catering to the vibe/feel of the crowd is our specialty. Our dynamics and style are matched to YOUR needs.

If your guests are "loosened up a litttle", and they feel like singing along to many of our INSTRUMENTAL versions of very popular songs,  we can hand them a mic., for an occasional sing-along (or blabber-along, depending on if they remember all the words). We've seen that turned into comical side-shows that have yielded some pretty hearty laughs from the other guests at the events.

Please note from wine-tasting video clip---on my "Video" page--- that the guests are easily able to communicate without having to shout. I can play as quietly as that if needed, while still putting out plenty of entertainment-value.

As a ONE-MAN-BAND:
You'll find it ridiculously affordable to book Al as solo entertainer, especially if your event is within the Portland/Vancouver metroplex. Many satisfied references available on request.

I use a versatile assortment of professionally produced backing-tracks for my playing, delivering a rich, FULL- BAND-sound for your event and your guests will still get the same sense of an energetic live performance as with a multi member band.

It is my personal promise of satisfaction, that neither you, nor your guests will ever feel "UNDER-entertained" or my entertainment is FREE.

Have a look at some of the video clips on the "VIDEO" PAGE please (found on the navigation bar, on left of screen)

Al, or "Al & Friends".....whatever your choice, we just LOVE to entertain!

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IF YOU'RE A PLANNER THAT'S WAY AHEAD OF THE REST:

THEN PLEASE CONSIDER  "BACK YARD JAZZ", featuring the Steve Christofferson / Al Maier duo".         This is our summer-time crown jewel, so to speak.

Steve has been the accompanying pianist for the great and world renowned Jazz vocalist Nancy King, for nearly 30 years. This dynamic combination brings you the sound of a full 4pc band while remaining extremely affordable. 

We can take you on musical journeys from the 1930's to present, whether in Jazz, Latin, Pop and even with the classics of Rock. 

In the summer (or spring, if you prefer), we offer a great deal on what we call "BACK YARD JAZZ".

As mentioned above, we are definitely not limited just to Jazz!!

You can have us over for something as simple as a spontaneous BBQ. Then invite as many of your family and friends as you're willing to have over, including those that are musicians, who then can sit in and "jam" with the band, and guaranteed,........ 

..........YOUR GUESTS WON'T SOON FORGET THE GREAT HOST, AND THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE PARTY.

OTHER SERVICES are available, so please call if you need:

A SUBSTITUTE drummer/percussionist

Is your drummer or percussionist momentarily out of commission?   If so, I can generally jump in and play a whole show with little to no rehearsal, if you're in a pinch. For a church / worship setting, I'm familiar with most of today's popular songs. If time is tight, I can jump right into your musical situation with very little to no rehearsal, unless your tunes are in 11/8  mixed with 5/4 at random spots. You get the point.

Playing in ANY STYLE is not a problem:  Rock, Jazz, Funk, R&B, Latin, Gospel, Country, Hip-Hop, etc.  I have PRO GEAR from acoustic to electronic drums and willing to show up with either one, or both, depending on your needs.

Playing dynamically is my specialty. I know when to "lay it down" or when to stay out of the way, so as to make you and your music sound and feel great.  Chances are that few will even know that you're working with a "guest" drummer.

Most often I can cover for you on my open dates, with relatively short notice. However.....The MORE notice, the BETTER

A SESSION player

....for STUDIO work or for any of your PROJECTS,  needing  CREATIVE drum or percussion parts.

A FULL P.A. SYSTEM

I've got enough "horsepower" to handle any small to medium sized venue and can be there as.....

A SOUND-MAN or DJ?

For venues up to 250 people. ALL PRO EQUIPMENT, including. MICROPHONES & MONITORS, etc.

DRUM LESSONS.

Please click on my "PRIVATE DRUM LESSONS" link for more information.

DRUM SET RENTAL.

Pro level ACOUSTIC or ELECTRONIC DRUMS, including drum-specific MICROPHONES, etc.

DRUM TUNING & repair.

Have your drums had a little too much wear/tear, whether from your own use or from being in a facility (like a church) where you have only "useage" of the gear but no regularly scheduled maintenance?.........No problem-o. I repair and tune setups like that all the time.

Have a recording or show coming up, but your drums sound a bit "challenged"?  CAN DO!! I can get your "cans" sounding like a million bucks and in a short amount of time. Whatever your set's challenges may be,  chances are very good that I can get you dialed back into fully operational condition.

Again, you'll find some clips in the video page (from navigation bar on top left of this Home page). This represents only a fraction of what Al can do as a 1-man-band, or what "Al & Friends" can add to your gathering.    

http://tastethedrums.com/video  Just go to NAVIGATION bar on TOP LEFT of screen and click on  "Video"

Steve Christofferson can be visited for his own events at his website:

www.stevechristofferson.com  you'll have to copy/paste this one into your browser untill my webmaster (me) turns this into a link. Sorry!

www.zendrum.com  to check out the makers of my unique instrument, the ZENDRUM midi controller.