TOOL, DEEP PURPLE, SHADOWS FALL, LAMB OF GOD Drummers To Perform At MODERN DRUMMER FESTIVAL

Danny Carey (TOOL),Ian Paice (DEEP PURPLE),Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL) and Chris Adler (LAMB OF GOD) are among the scheduled performers at the Modern Drummer Festival Weekend 2005, set to take place May 28-29 at Prudential Hall at NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center) in Newark, New Jersey. Shows begin at 1:00 p.m. each day.

"We are very excited about our festival this year," says Bill Miller, Modern Drummer magazine's Editor In Chief. "It's by far the most impressive lineup of drumming greats ever assembled. And having our festival at a world-class facility like NJPAC will make it an even better experience for attendees."

Thousands of dollars' worth of drums, cymbals, percussion instruments and accessories will be given away as door prizes. Every audience member will receive a free commemorative T-shirt and a souvenir bag filled with catalogs and fliers from all of the festival's sponsoring manufacturers.

Artists also meet and talk with the attendees and will sign autographs at a booth set up in the lobby.

Every year since the festival's inception, the world's greatest drummers come to teach special clinics and perform one-of-a-kind concerts. In its 17 years, nearly every major drumming talent of the modern age has performed at the Modern Drummer Festival.

The level of talent involved illustrates the importance of expanding knowledge and appreciation of drumming and the crucial role it plays in virtually every style of music.

Each day, the scheduled guest drummers and percussionists will perform either individually or in special combinations.

Here are the current schedules for the weekend:

Saturday, May 28, 2005:

* Danny Carey (TOOL) and VOLTO featuring Kirk Covington
* Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS)
* Ian Paice (DEEP PURPLE)
* Keith Carlock (STEELY DAN/STING)
* Rodney Holmes (STEVE KIMOCK/SANTANA)
* Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL)

Sunday, May 29, 2005:

* Roy Haynes & His Quartet
* Sheila E. (RINGO STARR, PRINCE),Raul Rekow, Alex Acuna (WEATHER REPORT) and Karl Perazzo (SANTANA)
* Zoro (LENNY KRAVITZ)
* Jojo Mayer & NERVE
* Chris Adler (LAMB OF GOD)

One of the highlights of the weekend is the percussion summit planned for Sunday, May 29 with Sheila E., Raul Rekow, Alex Acuna and Karl Perazzo.

Modern Drummer is read by more than 250,000 drummers worldwide every month. 2006 marks the magazine's 30th anniversary.

Tickets are $60 for a second-tier seat for one day ($105 for both days),$65 for a standard orchestra seat ($115 for both days) and $70 for a premium orchestra seat ($125 for both days). Tickets are available by calling NJPAC toll-free within the United States at 1-888-466-5722; patrons from outside the United States purchasing tickets need to call 973-642-0404. The venue's phone center is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Purchases may also be made online anytime at www.njpac.org

For more information about Modern Drummer Festival Weekend 2005, visit www.moderndrummer.com.