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 What started existence in 1985 as the
Star of Indiana drum and bugle corps has evolved into something
completely new, and very definitely more than the sum of its
parts. Blast!, the high-energy music and movement extra-vaganza,
premiered in London in December 1999 to overwhelming acclaim.
Now, with an extended  Broad-way
engagement, it shows little signs of slowing its rise to stardom.
For the uninitiated, Blast! is best described as a totally original recipe concocted from four old ingredients: music, dance, visual drama, and humor. The winning formula of Blast! has a strong precedent: Star of Indiana made drum corps history by placing in the top 10 at the DCI World Championships in its first year of existence. The corps went on to win the DCI title in 1991. Small wonder then, given such a pedigree, that its precocious young descendent is off to such a promising start. The 68 cast members of Blast! may come from a background of traditional drum and bugle corps, but they take that history and run with it--literally--as well as leap, skip, slide, and roll. The end result is a musical stage  production
that has been described as part "Stomp," part "Riverdance,"
and part "Cirque du Soleil." Comparisons don't do Blast!
proper justice, however, since the show is really about exploring
previously uncharted territory. Jim Mason, the group's executive
director, sums it up best when he says Blast! is "a celebration
of instrumental music." And it's a celebration that is still
evolving, a dynamic work in progress. Mason's enthusiasm is infectious--he's
not only in charge, but a willing student as well, learning more
with each show: how to do it better and faster than before.American audiences were introduced to the whimsical wonders of Blast! in August of last year, when the group hit US shores shortly after their London close. This fall's touring schedule promises to take the group's early successes to new heights, with an extensive program of performances across the country. Blast! isn't only about performance. The group recognizes a strong responsibility to go back to its own roots by contributing to the education of other young musicians, and a significant part of the tour will be given over to clinics at schools across the country. Given their unstoppable energy, a clinic with Blast! will be a clinic with a difference.  After all, learning and fun logically
go hand in hand when Blast!'s cast members are involved. Naturally, Blast! uses Yamaha instruments. It was clear from the outset that the group required extreme precision from its equipment, with the show's athleticism demanding above- normal durability. London involved over 130 shows in six months, and Yamaha's technical support paid dividends in the form of solid backup. "When people put down $70-80 for a ticket," says Mason, "professional sound quality is expected. Combine that with durability? That's quite a task. That's the main reason why we chose Yamaha." |
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