DWF 2014 - Queen Cora Dunham

Photos: Margriet Cloudt and Jan Kloosterboer

Want groove? You got it.
From Cora Coleman Dunham aka Queen Cora Dunham, the driving force behind Beyoncé’s concerts for the past two years, trained in the school of Prince. She appears on four Prince albums, including 3121 (2006) and Lotus Flower (2009), and plays on Maceo Parker’s Soul Classics. On Sunday, September 14, she’s the hotshot of the Drumworld Festival. The day before, Saturday, September 13, you can register for a masterclass with her. At Adams Drumworld in Ittervoort, the second Sunday of September is always Drumworld Festival. The first program items have already been announced. The day will be opened by Drumtalent 2013 winner Mees Riechelman. Right after his performance, Hungarian drummer Ádám Markó will take the stage. He’s Hungary’s most in-demand session drummer and has found success with his own band Special Providence.

Queen Cora Dunham
Now the big news: Queen Cora Dunham is coming to Ittervoort on September 14. Like many American drummers, she developed her technique in a drum corps—and not just any corps: she led the marching section of the Howard University Thunder Machine for years.

Jeep
In the late '90s, she entered the popular U.S. drum-offs. In an interview, she said: “I needed a car to get to my gigs, and the prize was a Jeep Liberty. After entering five times, I won! I still have the Jeep!”

Power drumming
Her gig with Prince shaped her groove—funky on top! With Maceo Parker, she hangs a little more behind the beat. With Beyoncé, her power drumming comes through full force. She hits hard—really hard. Check out her videos on YouTube, like her performance at DRUM! Night 2012 or her drum solo in a Beyoncé show. Highly recommended: the DVD Kick Snare Hat: The Superstars Of Hip-Hop And R&B Drumming, where she demonstrates the secrets of groove—also partially available on YouTube.

Clinic
A clinic with Queen Cora is a full experience. With her background as a motivator, presenter, and documentary maker, she brings a wealth of knowledge. The theme is always groove: “The pocket is my job. All the other stuff is extra.” A clinic not to miss—both educational and entertaining! Exclusive Benelux premiere!

Queen Cora Dunham plays DW drums and Sabian cymbals. She uses Remo heads and Vic Firth sticks.