Westchester County Kid's Fair April 2010). Little kids playing drums with master percussionist
Michael Mills at the Westchester County Center (White Plains, NY).

Cecelia Calloway (daughter of Cab Calloway) at the Westchester County Kid's Fair (April 2010)

Rhythms From The Heart music director Michael Mills and School of Sacred Music director Patrick Evans
at the Yale Divinity School Commencement (May 2010)

Michael Mills, master percussionist, performing at the 'Celebrating Chinese New Year and Black History Heroes in our Lives'. Downtown New Haven Free Public Library, February 2006. The following year Micheal and Cecelia Calloway were featured at the Grand Opening of the Wilson Branch Library. In 2008, they returned to perform once again for the Black History Month Cab Calloway Celebration (New Haven). (photo courtesy of Mickey Kurdic)

Master class world drum & percussion workshop (for youth and adults) at the 'Celebrating Chinese New Year and Black History Heroes in our Lives'. (photo courtesy of Mickey Kurdic)

Left to Right: Millzone Music Service Network associates Jimmie Wilson (vocalist), Lisa LaTouche (dancer), Cecelia Calloway (celebrity entertainer), media specialist Anne DuBoise, George Norton (DNG/Calloway Foundation project manager and business consultant) & Mike Mills (CEO Drums No Guns Commission, Inc.) | Morehouse College. Atlanta 2007.
(photo courtesy of Lisa LaTouche)

Morehouse College. Atlanta 2007.
(photo courtesy of Lisa LaTouche)

Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction of Dallas Cowboy Rayfel Wright. Celebration event coordinator Michael Blum (right), and associate/fellow Yale Alumni Chris Jones (center). Canton, OH. August 2006.
(photo courtesy of Micahel Blum)

Cecelia Calloway (daughter of the legendary Cab Calloway) performing live in Canton featuring Mixashaun (sax), Matt Oestreicher (keyboards), Jimmie Wilson (vocals) and pro tap/jazz/modern/hip hop dancer Lisa LaTouche.
(photo courtesy of Lisa LaTouche)

Main act Richard Street and the Temptations. Canton, OH.
(photo courtesy of Michael Blum)

Cecelia Calloway & Allstars with Richard Street of theTemptations at the Celebration.
(photo courtesy of Micahel Blum)

Michael Blum ,Yale School of Management alumni, Drums No Guns prime organizer & trustee,
and CEO of Catalina Strategies, Inc.

Millzone Music Service Network crew performing for the SOM 10th Anniversary Reunion Party at 'The Omni at Yale', New Haven CT. April 2005.
(photo courtesy of Michael Blum)

 

Tom Disher | Disher Music & Sound - Disher Music & Sound is a San Francisco-based audio post-production facility specializing in music composition, sound design, and mixing. Since 1993 we have provided these services for numerous documentaries, features, commercials, industrials, and games. As a keyboardist, Tom arranged and performed in collaboration with Michael Mills and Peter Edwards for the 1984 New Haven Jazz Festival with over 20,000 in attendance, one of the first jazz festivals on the New Haven green.
(photo courtesy of Disher Music & Sound)

Paul Mills has been a core member, with his brother Michael, of the Children of the Sun World Percussion Ensemble since the late '70's, and also spent several years during the 80's and 90's performing with his brother Michael & composer/pianist Peter Edwards as an integral part of New Music International World Drum & Music Ensemble (NME). Paul is also co-founder with his brother Michael of The Mills Brothers II Band.

He is a professional drummer/vocalist and tutor with a deep history of recording and live performances. Work experience includes: 'Tribute to Ella' with Mercer Ellington & His Orchestra (son of Duke Ellington), Average White Band, Daryl Hall, Phyllis Hyman, George Benson, Najee, Wendy Moten, Phil Perry, Morris Pleasure, Chiele Munnucci and most recently Hue & Cry.

Paul has also appeared on the following recordings: Najee's 'Tokyo Blue' CD; Marion Meadows 'Keep it Right There' & 'Body Rhythm' CD's; Norman Connors 'Passion' CD; and the Hue & Cry ' Open' & 'Christmas' CDs. (2009)

Check out some of Paul's music videos on Youtube:
Hue And Cry Album Studio Blog 2010 - "Summer Head Daze" Drum session video 08/06/10
Hue And Cry Album Studio Blog 2010 - "Fail You Better" rehearsals video 06/04/10

Paul McGuire is a Yale Alumni (Department of Physics), member of the New Haven Improvisors Collective (NY Times Nov. 2009 article, photo: courtesy New York Times). Paul is also a core member and co-arranger (with founding music director and composer Michael Mills) of "Rhythms from the Heart" World Drum & Music Group who perform annually for Yale Divinity School of Sacred Music Commencement Celebration, the MLK Holiday Celebration at the state capitol in Hartford, and the Yale Peabody Museum MLK drum circle for Enviromental Justice and Peace. Rhythms from the Heart performs year-round for schools, community centers, libraries, colleges, the homeless, churches and out reach ministries throughout Connecticut and New England. From early 2000-present Paul has been a member of Drums No Guns, assisting with drum circles, master drum workshops, and events such as the DNG booth on the upper New Haven green at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. Most recently, Paul has performed wth master percussionist Micheal Mills and Cecelia Calloway (daughter of Cab Calloway) for the outdoor Father's Day Outdoor Homeless Church Service (June 2010) at the historic Trinity Episcopal Church on the New Haven Green.

Michael Rabinowitz - Jazz Bassoonist was a core member of the New Music International World Drum & Music Ensemble during the early '80's and spent several years collaborating with Michael Mills (founder, Drums No Guns) and Peter Edwards on the development, research and application at Trumbull College (see photo below) and many outdoor/indoor concerts performing for tens of thousands throughout New England. For over twenty years Michael Rabinowitz has been on the cutting edge as a versatile bassoonist. He has recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Ira Sullivan, Red Rodney, Chris Potter, John Hicks, Dave Douglas and Joe Lovano. His festival appearances include Chicago, Montreal, Berlin, Tri-city, San Francisco and The Hollywood Bowl.

Jahmés Tony Finlayson is a Yale alumni, an accomplished musician, performing artist, storyteller and workshop facilitator. He performed with Michael Mills, Peter Firk and the New Music International Drum & Music Ensemble (during the '80's), and is a member of Children of the Sun World Percussion Ensemble. He has been affiliated with the world renowned Ko-Thi African Dance Company as poet, musician and prop designer for more than two decades and is a founding member of Midwestern-based One Drum.

Peter Edwards (born Peter Edward Firk) - British-born pianist and multi-keyboardist, now residing in Southeast Florida, is one of the early innovators of new age piano and contemporary instrumental soundscapes. Since 1971, Peter has performed and/or recorded with a plethora of Blues, Rock, Jazz, New Age and World musicians including: Marion Meadows, Michael Gregory (Peter played on his latest CD, 'Towards the Sun'), Paul Mills, Louis Guarino Jr., blues guitarist Robert Crotty, percussionist Sean Dibble, and shakuhachi flute master Jorge Alfano. Peter has also presented educational workshop/concerts at the Neighborhood School of Music and other institutions thoughout the Eastern US. Peter Edwards is also a long-time contributing member of Drums No Guns Commission, Inc.

For almost three decades, he and Michael Mills have composed, produced and performed their original compositions to audiences of all ages, cultures and races. Their performance venues have included: WTNH-TV, WPKN-TV, Whole Life Expo(NY), Brian Alden Jazz Festival (aka New Haven Jazz Festival), WYBC Radio, "Vibrations", The Shubert Performance Art Center, City Spirit Artist Programs, Connecticut College, Niantic State Prison, Toad's Place, The Foundry Jazz Cafe, Common Ground High School, Urban Farm & Environmental Education Center, and the Connecticut State Capitol.

"We began our friendship in the early 80's composing music in our upstairs inner city loft/apartment, blessed with donated food, electricity and a $200 baby grand. A few years later, we had the privilege of enhancing our compositions in a six bedroom mansion complete with 7 foot Steinway! Through all the challenges and good fortune of our lives, we have focused our energies on living amongst creative artists, entrepreneurs, and those devoted to the common good. During these years, I have witnessed Michael's amazing personality, drumming, and heartfelt songs inspire thousands of people ... from children to the elderly ... from all races and walks of life ... to express their inherent oneness with the heartbeat of our sacred Mother Earth.... and the spirits of the stars!" - Peter Edwards

Peter's music sings of the paradise found in our oneness with the beauties of nature, and helps to awaken the 'secret oasis' within each of our hearts. Recordings include: Secret Oasis(2002)

"While listening to Secret Oasis performed so masterfully by Peter Edwards, you are transported to another peaceful place. I use this CD to sit back, relax and escape from the real world. It has a calming effect. Peter has discovered how to use his piano to transmit peace." - Rudy Pérez (Rudy Pérez holds the distinction of having won both the prestigious BILLBOARD Producer of the Year, as well as ASCAP Songwriter of the Year five times! )

This is a photo of the entrance to the Trumbull College Master's house where Peter Edwards (born Peter Edward Firk) and Drums No Guns founder Micheal Mills composed, developed and refined music for five years. Peter Edwards is the son of integral yoga teacher Pamela Firk, and Emeritus Professor Frank Firk, former Chairman of the Department of Physics, member of the Admissions Committee and Master of Trumbull College, Yale University.