Inspired by Brazil’s Fritura Livre monthly public gathering of structured Body Music improvisation and jam, contemporary Body Music pioneer Keith Terry, and special guests, host FREE FRY - a monthly Body Music jam here at Ashkenaz. This guided Body Music jam session welcomes all levels, no experience required - just an open mind and willingness to play, learn, improvise and explore. 

This is a guided body music jam session, all levels welcome, no experience required!

Body Music, also known as Body Percussion and Body Drumming, is the oldest music on the planet. Before people were hollowing logs and slapping rocks, they were using their bodies to stomp, clap, sing, snap and grunt their musical ideas. There are many traditional Body Musics in the world, from African-American Hambone and Flamenco Palmas to Sumatran Saman and Ethiopian Armpit music. Since 1978 Keith Terry has developed a contemporary style of Body Music based on his training as a jazz drummer, as well as his years of intensive study and collaboration with world rhythmic systems. In 2008, with Evie Ladin, they established the International Body Music Festival, here in the Bay Area and around the world - with iterations in Turkey, Brazil, Indonesia, Ghana, France, and more.

Using the oldest instrument on the planet -- the human body -- we clap, slap, snap, step and vocalize our way through some very fun and funky, original and traditional rhythmic music. BODY MUSIC is an effective way of internalizing rhythmic work, which enhances the development of time, timing, phrasing, listening skills, independence, coordination and ensemble awareness. It is a useful tool for anyone interested in deepening their rhythmic skills.