PASSION DRUMMER FOR JESUS!

PASSION DRUMMER - PERCUSSIONIST FOR JESUS!...

Beat Of Heaven... can you hear it?

Bio Music Playing History
Musical Timeline: 1970 - 1980 - 1990 - 2010 - Updated
Rod's Teachers:
Roddi started playing at the age of 14, it was around the time Gene Krupa died. Since that year Rod has always felt a special sense of gratitude and appreciation for His style of playing. Rod played in Jazz Lab Band.. also playing outside of school with the original "Keytones-Second Time Around (jazz)" (Richard Smith, Dan Jersan, Dennis DeQuette, Susan Smith) Band at Lake St. Louis Country Club every weekend! Rod had a unique opportunity to jam every Saturday at a local all day music hangout... the experience was fantastic for Rod! He studied most days from 3:00pm M-F after school till 9 or 10:00pm. His parents were obviously in support. For Rod's High School he played before the assembly Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4" (Drummer Danny Seraphine - Chicago's rendition)and also sang the popular hit "Color My World."

Rod studied privately with percussionists Bob Matheny [Joe Bozzi Band], Joe Buerger [River City Ramblers], Carl Albright [Hosanna Integrity Music Tom Brooks], Kevin Gianino [Wester University playing currently Gary Dammer Big Band]. Rod is more of a 'Natural' Drummer though has been taught by some of this areas best drummers... Rod; "I think I have tried to learn, listening, and watching the greats...myself I'm still learning (I have personally met many) but all that effort never makes up for the 'Natural' gift from God that is within us... Gene and Buddy talked about the topic and others who were 'Naturally Gifted' drummers outside of themselves." "Some people on the fly can just pick up the sticks and do this thing,and I love when the spontaneous happens... the 'Natural' gift flows an the unexpected excels it makes the 'Naturally' gifted stand out head and shoulders from the rest...Oh,now I'm back quoting from Gene and Buddy, but its so true"...

Rod's Timeline - Music Career:
Rod was a student of Bob Matheny and Joe Buerger here in town. Dave Weckl and I were students together at that time with Joe Buerger. Rod was one of Joe's best students. Rod also studied with Carl Albright and Kevin Gianino after that.
"I cut my teeth on jazz, so I'm the type of player who listens and draws upon what other guys are doing... I feed upon that energy and something spontaneous and passionate happens when it comes out! (conversation with Rod)"

Roddi started playing drums here in St. Louis at the age of 14 and shortly was playing at the Lake St. Louis Country Club each week with the original "Keytones". During his early days Rod also played with such bands as "Rain 3" Beatle Type Rockin-Roll Band(Yaw, Powers, Lambur)..also "Raw Birch"(the Betsy Bircher Band). Rod played with the original "Full House" Band (Berges, Dugan, Dugan, Lambur)." Rod subbed for Joe Buerger when he was booked up locally. Rod played on both the "St. Louis Admiral" and "The Spirit of St. Charles" River Boat (Ragtime Boys - Dan Stevens)
, being interviewed by the St. Louis Post Dispatch and Journals on His music. Rod was Nashville Country Artist "Buddy Keele's" Main & Favorite Drummer in St. Louis. Rod also sang backup for the Buddy Keele Band (Xavers off the Lindberg strip by STL Airport). The "Buddy Keele Band" was competing with the Rod Scott Band, & Nick Nixon Band and was written up several times in the Post Dispatch of which Rod was named as Buddy's drummer. From articles in the Post and other news papers at the time read... "Keele's 15 year record at Xavier's," naming Rod on drums for his band.
Rod has played Christian Music & Worship at Grace Church St. Louis in the 80s with Kent Henry and others. Rod as the band leader played with guitarist/songwriter Steven Nelson and bass player Sam Bailey, and singer/songwriter Laura Bidwell in a group called Celestial.
Rod led and played on "The Spirit of St. Charles" Riverboat with His "Gospel" music group called; "Beth Boshert (singer) & The Good News." "The Good News" (Clark, Melton, Moore, Lambur 1987) were written up in the Post Dispatch, St. Charles Post and 52 other local news papers on their fine playing- the heading entitled: "Rollin On The River - A Cruise With Spirit!" and "The Spirit Riverboat!"

Rod has played drums here in town with a vast amount of bands which would include world class musicians... bands such as with Blueberry JAM, (Dugan Brothers BB King type blue music/ Yard Birds type rhythm and blues), Jim Powers Band (Power Rock Group - In Concert Rod sang "Oh Darling," and "My Love" Paul McCartney score), Jazz Guitarist/ Bass Player - Glen Smith (Departure), Raw Birch (Singer Artist) Betsy Bircher band (Eddy Frits' singer STL) recently backup singer with Ken Hesley -Glimps of Glory and her own new Cd "Believe on the road to Damascus"), Guitarist Bob Berges & Orginal "Full-House Band," Nashville Country Artist - Buddy Keele, The Pat Holt Singers, Spirit of St. Charles Ragtime Boys, The Good News - (Lambur,Carson,Moore,Stevens), Dan Brown's Dixieland Band (on the down town Admiral river boat), Guitarist Doug Carson of the (Bob Kuban Band),Guitarist-Banjo-Clarinet Buddy West (Dan Stevens), Blues Guitarist Steve Nelson, Keyboardist -Phil Gomez of Clav Sol,The Funk-Band, 'Doc' Jim Evans (Bass Player touring with Merle Hagard, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, 38 Special)also has played with Bass player "Michael Liss" (with internationally known Blues Star -Boo Boo Davis) and has played modern Christian music and worship, (Jazz Worship with The Good News), played with well know organist (STL) "Denise Denny," (Worship Artists "Kent Henry," "Steven Burket," "Mary Wetzel," "Aaron Latina," "Corey Pursley," "Kingsley Walker" and "Scott Bowels") Modern Contemporary Worship Styles.... Contemporary Spirit Lead Worship/Black Gospel/ Southern Gospel, etc. for large Mega-Church and Churches in the STL area. Rod has played with the largest (a 16 piece worship orchestra) at Living Word Ministries (Full Gospel Pentecostal - Arkansas) [South County] not to leave out LWM's modern youth band "Zube" totally modern worship style! (171 passionate worship performances which ran 1 year and 2 months at Living Word Ministries) Rod has been played at Grace World Outreach (Grace Church STL), Liberty Christian Center (Independent), Church of God, Assemblies of God, Calvary Church... (Evangelical Free), Discovery Church (Independent),Hope Lutheran ELCA,
Living Waters Ministries (AIGA), The 'Life' Church House Of Prayer, (including The Gathering -Friday Night), United Methodist Churches, ...Rod has started his own Christian Band..."NEAR EARTH" this band project which include different players locally ... (current band project). In 2010 he aspires to do more ... looking for other dedicated musicians.
Now Rod sometimes gigs around town musically... continuing playing with many outstanding professionals...

Rod's Born-Again/ Baptism In The Holy Spirit Experience With Jesus Christ...
In the 1980's Rod was in a deep search for the answers of life. Professionally he came to see through the facade and emptiness of his own success and others in the professional music business having the same struggles. "There was something missing that is all there was to it." said Rod, "and my search came to a climax when Jesus personally made Himself real to me through several special ways in prayers that I had said." Through a short 2 year journey a series of profound events took place and through the tail-end spiritual influences of the 'Jesus' Movement and faithful testimonies of personal friends Rod he came to the truths of the Gospel message that changed his life. "The Spirit of the living God is so real to me... when Jesus becomes your 'Friend and First Love' everything changes." 'I play drums with the passion that I am filled with when I spend time with Him!" "If you do not know Him personally contact me and I'll help you get a connection going... just you and the Lord." (Rod went on to study for a number of years for the ministry and holds an ordination)Rod plays exclusively for the Lord.

Special Music Comments:
UK Guitarist/Vocalist /Electric Violinist "Tim Roberts" which has played with Rod is quoted here... coining the phrase - "Rod Lambur is John Bonham / Keith Moon meets Praise & Worship!" ... "Roberts" is only expressing what he saw and heard in Rod's exuberant drumming which was nothing short of "Pure Power, Passion and Feeling!" Rod can be very powerful or very sensitive, and always a taste player..."I have always believed I was somewhere in the middle between jazz funk and rock music, but my styles have had to change to accompany whoever I was playing for at the time!"
Rod always thought of Keith Moon as an dynamic rock player... "If you listen to Moon's fills, you are stirred immediately, he was full of moving energy." One of Rod's Favorite Worship Drummers is Terl Bryant which replaced Bonham style with Led Zepland (for studio Work)... played for Iona and many others. Christian worship drummers encourage each other.
Terl is founder of UK's "Psalm Drummers"... and Carlos Benson is founder of Nationally based -"Drummers For Jesus U.S.A." Rod highly endorses them both for skill, encouragement and spiritual perspective.
One of my personal favorite drummer influences... would be the renown Christian Drummer that has been playing through the years that has cut so many recordings with so many pioneers in the Christian Jesus Music Scene that everyone should already know just by the mention of his name... Mr. Dynamics - 'Jack Kelly'(who I think is creatively awesome).
[Christian] Influences: Terl Bryant (Iona, Edens Bridge, John Paul Jones) Duncan Phillips (Newsboys), Jeremy Lutito (Jars of Clay), David Carr (Third-Day), Art Gonzales (Salvador), Mike Clemons (Isreal Houghton -New Breed), Alex Acuna (Koinonia and others)
[Rock] Influences: Ronny Tut (Elvis),Peter Rivera (Rare Earth), Danny Seraphine (Chicago), Kenny Jones (The Who), Stewart Copeland (Police) Larry Mullins Jr.( U2),Pete de Freitas (New Wave -Echo and the Bunnymen),Neil Pert (Rush),Steve Smith (Journey),Joe English (Wings), Abe Laboriel Jr. (Crystal Lewis, McCartney)....
[Jazz] Influences: Krupa,Rich,Bellson,Shaughnessy,Morello,Burns,Gadd ...

Rod approaches each project with different perspectives
relative to each style and feel that is needed for the groove.

Comments Before, During, and After Playing

Jim Powers (Known in the U.S.A.- Rock Guitarist)
"Rod is my personal friend and as creative a drummer that you will find musically, also I love his singing voice."

Cindy Dugan (Singer-Actress) "From a Singer-Actress point of view, Rod has a 'theatrical ear' which hears the big build-up dramatics of the songs I would sing."

Tim Dugan (Bass player now with the Ginkgo Biloba band) - Once Rod played a triplet solo on Tim's bass strings, "Rod that was very COOL!"

Norman Gerike (STL Keyboardist - also Southwest Christian Church Music Director)..."I grew up with Roddi... I saw him through the years develop into one of the fine drummers of our area... I remember Roddi doing some fancy drum fills (to Neil Diamond Songs)including some bass drum kicks when I auditioned him for our group."

Besty Bircher (Known in the U.S.A. - Singer) "Roddi backed me with 'rim shot' drive."

Dan Stevens (STL "Buddy West" Guitar/Banjo/Clarinet) - "I have personally recommended Rod to people I have known that needed a drummer with a 'Kicking' downbeat."

Buddy Keele (Nashville Artist - STL Band) "Rod, you are my favorite drummer!"

Tom Cramndon (SIU Guitar Instructor, STL Jazz Guitarist) "Rod, you are dynamic!"

David Moore (keyboard) - "Rod you did a great job on this boat gig as the band leader, thanks for this opportunity!"

Vince Clark (STL Bass Player) "Rod and I locked in the first time we played together."

Kent Henry (Vocalist/Keyboard/Guitar/Songwriter/Worship Leader - "Rod... you really play in the Spirit."

Carla Riehl (Super singer) - "Rod you play good" (Celestial Band) ...

Glen Smith (Super Jazz Bass & Guitar player) "I always liked Rod's playing, he's very innovative in his playing."

Doc (Jim) Evans (STL Bass Player)"Rod... my favorite is Buddy, I personally like your playing... and I like those special sticks you use... you definitely got it going on kid...or else you wouldn't be playing here!"

Denise Denny (Known STL Organist)- "I love the way you play those drums."

"The Dan Band" (Dan Thacz Big-Band)... "Rod you put so much life into the music... your enthusiasm is great!"

Pat Holt (Pat Holt Singers) - "Rod your doing a fantastic job"..

Phil Gomez (Keyboard Extraordinaire -Clava Sol) - "Rod makes the music..
so much feeling comes through those sticks.. his phrasing.. I love the way he plays it."

Bill Gerdel (STL Trumpet - Mr. HIGH NOTES!)"Rod is one of the finest drummers I have known or played with... and a great fellow to work with."

Bill Oliver ("Sassy Jazz" Trumpet -Dixieland Style) "'Sticks'...(as Bill calls Rod).. always plays it cool!"

Michael Liss (Mr."In-There" Bass Guitar St. Louis) "Rod is solid, he's right there making the groove happen."

Robin May (Christian Guitarist, Composer, Singer of Worship) - "I really love your drumming"...

Michael Feldman (Guitarist, Singer, Composer) - "Rod, you are a fine drummer!"

Aaron Latina (STL Worship Leader - Music Director/Vocalist -Keyboardist) ... Rod, I like those off beat (Celtic) accents you do (Doxology Theme).

Corey Pursley (STL Worship Leader - Music Director/Vocalist -Guitarist) ... Rod loves the Spirit of God... he is a true worshiper of Jesus.

Mike Mora (Lead Guitarist-Songwriter) ..."I'm into the music...you groove!"

Kingsley Walker (STL Worship Leader- Music Director/ Vocalist/Keyboardist)..."that's...some good percussion playing!" (Rod playing 8 piece conga set)

Scott Bowles (STL Worship Leader,Singer,Guitarist) ...Rod - "You're right in there!"... (Rod spots Scott looking over his shoulder every time he does something special."

Justin Schwartz (Pastor - Acoustic/Songwriter/Singer) - "Thank you for doing a fine job on my original music, everything you did complimented and fit right in."

Wanda(Kennedy)Kuntz-(Worship Director, Singer,Songwriter, Keyboardist)..."Fantastic Job!"

His Hand Drum Playing
Rod also plays various hand drums which include: (thai) ramwong (means: festival sm.drum - two headed),spanish bottle drum (like UDU or IBO type vessel drum), native indian drums,jembe (african), doumbek (mid-east), bodhram (frame drum), congas, cahun (means: fat conga -wood crate south-america), india bells, shells, ratan, taptan, baboo wall and other percussions instruments as a backup player behind local acoustic musicians in smaller groups.

Rod is now doing Contemporary Christian Music and Worship at this time... which is his love and forte! He loves to write, play and sing Christian music. He is available for studio recording projects.

His Scheduled Bookings...
Are you looking for a Christian band?
Book Rod Lambur's current band "NEAR EARTH."
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/rthomasl/nearearth/

Looking a Drummer for your Christian band? /A Sub Drummer for a night or week? Rod is versatile in different styles of music.
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CHECK OUT MY DRUM TRACK GROOVES!

Consider Rod for your project...
My Experienced ... My time playing out... I've got what your looking for. I'm local to the St. Louis Metro and Surrounding Areas...
Check me out at an audition... call me if you are looking for a drummer just call 6363669673 give me all your details... email rthomasl@peoplepc.com... I do play regularly out.. so booking me into your Christian band or church gig is a call me as soon as possible situation.

Thanks,

*Passion Drummer - Percussionist For Jesus!

Beat Of Heaven

Rod Lambur
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Now Taking New Drum Students...
"Some Things Are Taught - Some Things Are Caught! Approach."

Topics Covered:
Basic Stick And Finger Control
Basics Around The Set
Fills And Phrasing
Different Musical Styles And Feels
Music Ear Development

LESSON RATES AS FOLLOW...2009

30 MIN. = $15.00
60 MIN. = $30.00

ALL LESSONS ARE BOOKED AHEAD ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE.
CANCELLATION TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE.
$7.00 OVERRIDE CHARGE FOR NON-NOTIFIED CANCELLATIONS.
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Most musicians know that all 'Rock' music (along with other types) have come out of the roots of Jazz fundamentally ... so being a 'Jazz-Rock' type player flexing also between Africa, Latin,and Celtic styles of music...which styles are in today's modern contemporary Christian worship and Gospel music, I thought I would list some of my favorites below. (My Dad got me into the whole Big-Band thing!)

Some Of My Jazz Favorites

Dorothy Lamour (Jazz Singer)-"There is this rumor going around that Mary Leta "Dorothy (Slaton)Lambour-Lambur-Lamour" is actually my distant Aunt Dottie who was adopted into the Lambour family (Clarence) and later change her name to "Lamour?" Is it true?! or not?? (Dorothy Lamour - outstanding jazz singer (sang with both the Herbie Kay and Eddy Duchin orchestras and became the an American Icon - actress, comedian with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby!... Bob Hope said of her... "She (Dorothy)is the classiest Lady I have ever known!" I never got to know her personally (I did read her book), but my family would sure talk of her coming by to visit family members in St. Louis. My own Grandfather (the Banker) had a relationship with her in that when she came in town they would have dinner and talk about many things and that would especially include U.S. War Bonds (she did more for U.S War Bonds than any other in raising those funds for the World War II effort). ... she passed Sept. 22, 1996)

Jimmy Dorsey - I never met this Big Band leader but my Father had during the 2nd world war. The sound of this band was hot as a pistol. My Father introduced me to the whole Big Band thing. Thanks Dad!

Gene Krupa - My Father gave me a vintage drumstick of Gene Krupa. That was hot stuff! I just had started playing, I heard all his records. Gene had a style like no one else, his playing actions just floor me to this day, he was supreme!
I personally relate to Gene because he's all heart in his playing. Gene like myself studies for the ministry. In Gene's times ministry and playing drums didn't mix like it does today. I sometimes wonder what an impact the world would have had if Gene would have been able to bring his playing and faith together publicly. Thank God that those taboos are in the past so great players can be free with their Christian beliefs.

Buddy Rich - I met Buddy personally here in St. Louis, his salt was everything I heard it was. He was the man! No body I know worked as hard for being the world greatest drummer. To most they thought it all came easy for him. Buddy always made playing look easy, but his devotion to his playing was like one no I've every known. He was powerful, he was a driving force, and he is forever "BUDDY."

Louie Bellson - I met Louie here in St. Louis and personally talked with him. Louie is a soft and gentle guy... he has great grace around the set. Bellson's sound is clean... and sharp. The clinics he did in this area were outstanding. When Louie got to the hall and off the road his first question to me was......"Is there anywhere around here were I could get some soup." "I always try to eat light before playing..."
He was a amazing person to meet with many approaches on drums and deep in his view on life itself. Louie Bellson is one of the renown 'Big Three' Big Band Jazz Drummers of his era, as Duke Ellington calls him the world's best.

Roy Burns - I met Roy three times, first at the Lake St.Louis Warf in the 1970's after that at the award celebration presented at U-City High School to Dave Weckle, then sometime later I talked in depth with Him at the Breckenridge Hotel(playing with keyboardist Eddy Fritz and singer Betsy Bircher) in St. Louis right before he started the Aquarian Company. I always have enjoyed Roy's insights.

Ed Shaughnessy - I met Ed here in St. Louis. He went over the Mid-Eastern/India drum counting methods and playing around the set. Ed is huge in my book... what dynamics, double-bass tech., etc..