News - Rhythm Traders

Monday Memories ep.8 Rhythm Traders Grand Opening Celebration

February 22, 2021

The Northwest's hottest Samba group "Lions of Batucada" throw down in the lot during our week long grand opening event.

Monday Memories ep.7 Latin/Funk Groove breakdown

February 15, 2021

JT Breaks down a great Latin/Funk Groove.

Monday Memories ep.6 Adam Deitch

February 08, 2021

Adam Deitch demonstrates "gogo" style percussion--Post James Brown and pre-hip hop

Monday Memories ep.5 Guinea Carvers and the Maitre Djembe

February 01, 2021

The Maitre Djembe was a gift to us from the carvers we work with in Guinea, West Africa to commemorate 20 years of doing business in Africa, and is the largest hand-carved djembe we've ever seen or played. It is symbolic of the decades long relationship Rhythm Traders has had with key suppliers in West Africa ever since we imported our first drums back in 1992. The Maitre Djembe represents our mutual commitment to the cultures, music, and high quality instruments from the source.

Monday Memories ep.4 Obo Addy

January 25, 2021

Obo Addy lived, performed and taught Portland for many years. Hundreds if not thousands of kids got to see him perform in assembly at their school. Thousands of others around the world were lucky enough to see him perform publicly. Obo was one of the first native African musicians to bring the fusion of traditional folk music and Western pop music known as worldbeat to Europe and then to the Pacific Northwest of the United States in the late 1970s.

Monday Memories ep.3 "Good Day at the Rhythm Traders

January 18, 2021

A little bit of Portland Drumming history at the "African Rhythm Traders"

Behind the Scenes of the Gon Bops Manufacturing Process

January 15, 2021

Check out this great video from our buddies at Gon Bops showing how their California Series Congas are made. This film shows the true art that goes into making these completely hand-crafted, state-of-the-art drums, detailing the steps from start to finish.

Monday Memories ep.2 featuring Jean from Klimax

January 11, 2021

Check out this awesome display of groove and technique by Jean the timbalero for the group "Klimax".

Thoughts on Rhythm Traders 30 Years! Monday Memories ep.1

January 04, 2021

Here's some thoughts on turning 30 and an introduction to our new blog series "Monday Memories". A look back through 30 years of Rhythm Traders history.

Awesome all around snare drum based on the vintage classic Jazzfest made popular by buddy rich and ringo starr.

The Ludwig Jazzfest Snare

October 27, 2020

The drum that Buddy and Ringo made famous

Mapex Mydentity Drum Sets

October 20, 2020

Do you remember when Mapex started the groundbreaking Mydentity concept? The idea was that Mapex would allow you to design a custom drum kit online with your selection of drum sizes, wood type, finish, and even hardware color?

It's Hip to Be Square (pt.4)

October 13, 2020

If you want to see something really amazing, check out the International Cajon Festival in Peru (Festival Internacional del Cajon Peruano) on YouTube, Facebook, and the web. Founded in 2007 by Peruvian musician Rafael Santa Cruz, the International Cajon Festival is an annual event in Lima, Peru that celebrates the cajon with performances, masterclasses, video screenings, and conferences.

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