K Custom Left Side Ride Announced at NAMM

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The Zildjian Company celebrates the release of the new K Custom Left Side Ride. Developed in conjunction with Peter Erskine, the Left Side Ride adds scope and variety to this dark, very special range.

Conceived to be the Jazz Drummer's all-important "2nd" Ride, the Left Side Ride has a clear, warm sound and includes the added textural qualities of a 3- rivet cluster fitted as standard. Offered in both 20" and 22" sizes, this crucial cymbal adds a second Ride dimension to the set-up providing an alternative, yet complementary Ride voice, and allowing for additional accents and sounds. The Left Side Ride has that familiar warmth and clarity of the other K's, but adds a distinctive new sound.

Describing how the idea for the Left Side Ride came about, Erskine explained, "I asked Zildjian to create a cymbal that could compliment my Ride and Crash choices, a cymbal that would add a new dimension to my music, with warmth, clarity and variety but still with a unique sound: in short, a cymbal that could be my main Ride Cymbal's 'best friend'; and this is how the 'Left Side Ride' was born".

"Every musician that's heard this cymbal has flipped; especially drummers" he continued. "Even though we call it the 'Left Side Ride', I find that I can't go anywhere now without it. It does everything I 'ask' it to, plus more ... the clarity is incredible, the warmth is spectacular, and the textural qualities are superb. Somehow, we found the perfect combination of 'spread' and precision in the sound. This is the cymbal that I've been looking for all of my life! The 'K' is the holy grail of Ride sounds and I am thrilled that Zildjian can now offer this new-found sound combo for drummers world-wide." Peter Erskine is best known for his versatility and ardent love of working in various musical settings. He began his career at the age of 18 with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and has since played with such groups as Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Maynard Ferguson, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan and the Yellowjackets, not to mention recording over 300 albums. He has also won numerous awards for his work, including a Grammy, the Modern Drummer Readers Poll, and an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from the Berklee School of Music.

Erskine currently keeps busy with his Trio, which records for his own label Fuzzy Music, as well as making guest appearances with such ensembles as the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

List Prices:

• 20" - $415
• 22" - $492

For more information, visit their web site at www.zildjian.com.