Versatile     LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Tasteful     DRUMMING & PERCUSSION

Drum      LESSONS, GEAR & REPAIR

 Also check out my 80's band "90-below" at www.90-below.com

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

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

CHECK OUT:    "Back-Yard-Jazz"   for your summer party (see below)

Whatever your entertainment needs or budget, Al Maier & Friends can provide all the entertainment you need, from solo act to a 5-member band and everything in between.............................It's YOUR choice!  

• PRIVATE Parties
• CORPORTATE celebrations
• WINE TASTINGS
• BIRTHDAYS
• ANNIVERSARIES
• SPECIAL GATHERINGS
• Wedding RECEPTIONS
• Even at a private Bar-B-Que, with a small group of family and/or friends.

•                     NO EVENT IS 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.

"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 little", 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.

The ONE-MAN-BAND:
You'll find it ridiculously affordable to book Al as solo entertainer, especially if your event is inside of the Portland / Vancouver area.  WILLING TO TRAVEL.

Al plays a unique instrument called the Zendrum and uses a versatile assortment of professionally produced backing-tracks, which again range from Latin and Jazz, to Blues, R&B and Rock.

As such he delivers a rich and authentic FULL-BAND sound. Your ears will get the same satisfaction as from listening to a multi-member group, but without the "wall of sound",  the space requirements and possibly most importantly..... without the cost.
Music STYLE and VOLUME are customized to fit each unique type of event. 

So when you need live, but yet low-key back-ground music or up-beat grooves, it is my personal promise of satisfaction that you will never feel "UNDER-entertained" or it's FREE !!!    

Many satisfied customer references are available upon request.

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

or........DANCE TO YOUR FAVORITE 80's MUSIC with "90-Below"

 www.90-below.com

I'm a member of the coolest 80's band in the Portland area, called 90-below.  If you love to move/dance and go down memory lane while being moved to our great dance grooves, then look no further

Take a pick, we just LOVE to entertain!

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

It is never TOO EARLY to plan ahead for your entertainment needs. You should ask me about the increasingly popular summer-time "BACK YARD JAZZ" event, featuring one each, of my favorite pianists and vocalists.

I also work in a duo setting as the Steve Christofferson / Al Maier duo". 

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.    

www.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

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