Ballston Lake, New York - Ted MacKenzie, one of the Capital Region's top jazz drummers and drum teachers and author of a celebrated new edition of one of the most important books ever published in percussion literature offers 'master classes'.

MacKenzie, discusses and demonstrates rudimental techniques that propelled the legendary chops of the late jazz drumming virtuoso Buddy Rich.

MacKenzie last year published an updated and expanded version of the classic method book, Buddy Rich's Modern Interpretation of Snare Drum Rudiments, which Rich wrote in collaboration with Henry Adler.

June 2006, MacKenzie has released a two-disc DVD that demonstrates and explains the Adler method. MacKenzie studied with Henry Adler and has taught the famous "Adler method" for more than 30 years.

The DVD includes demonstrations of most of the 83 rudimental exercises in the book, along with footage of Buddy Rich performing and an interview with Rich's daughter, Kathy Rich, and her son, Nick Rich, who is also a drummer.

MacKenzie is also publishing a book and DVD on wire-brush technique. That book is called The Drummer's Ultimate Workout. It is designed to show that rudimental exercises with wire brushes are a powerful weapon in developing broad drumset technique.

MacKenzie is a third-generation drummer. His father started him on the instrument at the age of 5. He first performed at the age of 14, and acquired his first drum student at the age of 17. After attending Berklee College of Music, Ted studied in New York City with Sonny Igoe (a former student of Henry Adler), then with Adler and, briefly, with another legendary drum instructor, Jim Chapin.

MacKenzie is a full-time drum instructor and performs regularly with top jazz combos throughout northeastern New York, including the Ray Alexander Trio, the Jon LeRoy Organ Trio, and Thriv'n on a Riff.