“The secret of joy in work in one word is - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it. ”
Janet Cramer Australian born, Mid-West raised…
Ms Cramer was born in Marybourough, Victoria, Australia to U.S. parents, Robert and Carol Cramer. After a year as an Aussie, Ms Cramer returned to the States with her parents and grew up in the small, mid-west town of Wellsville, Kansas. Less than an hour from Kansas City, KS, and the State capitol of Topeka, Wellsville sits conveniently along I-35 and has been immortalized by the punk band, The Embarrassment, with their song, “Wellsville”, and is also the hometown of Country Music Artist, Chely Wright, “Single White Female”. (Chely and Janet played softball, basketball, and music together!)
Janet began her drumming journey at age 13 when her parents bought her first drum set. Learning drum set basics by listening to and mimicking the drums from Culture Club records, Janet eventually began taking private lessons in high school, studyiing with Keith Larson (orchestral percussion) and drum set with John Cushon (Oleta Adams) in the Kansas City, KS area. Drums and percussion continued through Ms. Cramer’s university years at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas. Two and a half hours southwest of Wellsville, along I-35, Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and provided a unique learning environment. Some of Janet’s contemporaries at Wichita State include Aaron Johnston (Brazilian Girls, David Byrne) and Phil Hawkins (Pete Escovedo, Roy Obiedo). Ms. Cramer received her Bachelors and Masters in Music Performance under the tutelage of Dr. J.C. Combs. She also began her lifelong study and love for Afro-Cuban music with the introduction of guest clinician, Latin Percussion Artist, author, producer, Michael Spiro. Ms Cramer subsequently traveled to Cuba and studied with the late Cuban drummer, Jesus Alphonso in Matanzas, Cuba in 1998.
After completing her Masters in 2000, Ms Cramer moved to Chicago and was determined to get her “street credentials”, so to speak. She immediately immersed herself in Chicago’s Rock/Indie and Blues scenes performing locally with 1/2 Mad Poet (all female power trio) and Linsey Alexander Blues Band (LABB). 1/2 Mad Poet performed numerous times at clubs such as the Lion’s Den, Horsehead Lounge, and Beat Kitchen and in 2001, released a CD entitled “Pictures”. With Linsey Alexander, she performed at Kingston Mines, Blues Chicago, Blues on Halsted, and the Chicago Blues Festival. Since then Ms Cramer has provided the grooves and beats for Blues artists such as the late Chico Banks, Liz Mandeville and the Blue Points, Rodney Brown and Hotrod, and Nigel Mack and the Blues Attack.
In Chicago’s Americana/Folk/Indie original music scene, Ms Cramer has recorded and performed with artists such as Jenny Dragon, Jodi Jean Band, and Congress of Starlings. Among the artists in the Chicago’s Latin Jazz and Neo-Soul genre, Ms Cramer performs with Sandra Antongiorgi, Grupo Cha Cha, and Neal y Janet de los EEUU. Ms Cramer has experience in the cover and tribute band genre as well having drummed for Girlband, and Rock-It Science; and percussion for the Roy Vombrack Orchestra. Currently, she provides percussion for The Lotus Kings- Tribute to the Music of Santana, drums for Close to You- Tribute to the Music of the Carpenters, and Every Shiny Thing- the Music of Joni Mitchell.
Ms Cramer has also contributed to groups as a songwriter. Below is her song featured on Grupo Cha Cha’s album, “This is the Life” (2012).
Ms Cramer is the drummer for Outskirts, an all-female big band and has experience in Music Theatre productions. She has been in the pit for Hell in a Handbag Productions, Chicago Contemporary Music Theatre, a production of “High Fidelity” at Northeastern Illinois University, and more recently the performance, filming, and studio recording of ALL WIGGED OUT, written and starring Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink.
Ms Cramer enjoys performing and recording but also sees the value as a teacher. She has been an Adjunct Music instructor for St. Xavier University, and Trinity Christian College. She as been a private drum instructor in her own studio as well as various music schools such as Senseney Music in Wichita, and currently is a drum instructor for Ensemble Schools in Schaumburg,IL. Since 2022, she has been the online drum instructor for Melissa T Music Lessons out of Baltimore, MD. Along with percussionists, Kalyan Patak, and Jean LeRoy, Ms Cramer is a member of RhythmUnity. This ensemble, as part of the non-profit, International Music Foundation, travels to various Chicago public schools and provides Lecture/demonstrations on various drums and percussion from around the world.
Janet Cramer continues her quest to being a versatile drummer and percussionist both as a performer and an instructor. She enjoys the interaction between band members and audience while performing and immensely enjoys sharing her drumming knowledge to students, young and old.
https://www.instagram.com/cramerdrums
https://www.tiktok.com/cramerdrums
“...so solid and artful. Janet always had spot on sensibilities.”
Here are some examples of my work, hope you enjoy!
Live @ Evanston the Space. My childhood friend and Country Western music artist Chely Wright honored me by asking me to come on stage a perform a couple of songs with her.
Live performance with Sandra Antongiorgi. Janet Cramer on Drums & Jenille Ramos on Congas
Snow in Houston written and composed by Janet Cramer
This video is about Obba
From Nobel Peace Prize winners to Nicaraguan sweatshop workers, we highlight a range of voices that go beyond the headlines. Worldview delves deep into the people and forces shaping Chicago’s world communities, exploring issues and events through in-depth series and public events. Hosted by Jerome McDonnell. From WBEZ.
Airs weekdays at 12 p.m. on WBEZ
LESSONS
Rhythm instruments such as…
Drums/Percussion - Piano - Electric Bass
I provide online and in-person (Chicago) instruction on drum set, percussion, piano and electric bass.
The modern rhythm section consists of drums, percussion, bass guitar, and piano. The online lessons consist of learning each instrument: the basic techniques and applying the techniques to music. They may be learned individually or combined to have a basic understanding of each instrument’s function within a band.
Drum Set
The modern drum set is a relatively new instrument developed at the turn of the 20th Century in New Orleans. It is a hybrid of many instruments: European military drums (snare and bass drum); Tom-toms from China; and metal cymbals from Turkey. Along with the innovation of pedals, this “contraption” allowed one drummer to play all the instruments.
A student studying the drum set can expect…
a concentration on three rudiments: singles; doubles; paradiddles
how to apply the rudiments to the drum set as “grooves” or as “fills”
students will learn basic drum beats to their favorite songs
exercises involving kinesthetics
Percussion
There is an actual technique to playing a shaker, a triangle, or a tambourine! All of these instruments under the auxiliary percussion umbrella add some spice to any rhythm section.More advanced percussion lessons may entail hand drums such as conga (pictured), djembe, bongo, and Bata. Continuing on with World percussion, lessons on the melodic Steel drum can also be provided.
A student studying percussion can expect…
a concentration on proper hand and wrist techniques
percussion additions to their favorite songs
folkloric rhythms
historical content
Piano
The modern piano was invented by one man, Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731) of Padua, Italy. The piano is, technically, a percussion instrument. The pianist presses a key, the key engages a hammer which hits a tuned string. Of course, today the modern piano can also come electronically (picture) or keyboard (MIDI). Basic knowledge of piano is essential for understanding Western Music.
A student studying piano can expect…
exercises from Alfred’s Piano courses
ensuring proper wrist/fingers technique
note and chord literacy
ability to play their favorite songs
Electric Bass
The electric bass matured along with the electric guitar during the 20th Century. In some regards, the technique can be similar, ie the use of a pick. There are 5-string and 6-string basses which allow a player an extended range. However, the 4-string (picture) will be the main focus.
A student studying electric bass can expect…
proper finger placement on the fretboard
bass lines from their favorite songs
tuning of strings and maintenance
PRICING
Online Lessons (weekly via Zoom)
30-minute lessons are $30
Buy a block of four for $110
45-MINUTE LESSONS ARE $45
Buy a block of four for $170
60-MINUTE LESSONS ARE $60
Buy a block of four for $230
In-person Lessons (Weekly At CramerDrum Studio)
30-MINUTE LESSONS ARE $30
Buy a block of four for $115
45-MINUTE LESSONS ARE $45
Buy a block of four for $175
60-MINUTE LESSONS ARE $60
Buy a block of four for $235
75-MINUTE LESSONS ARE $75
2 HOUR LESSONS ARE $110 (a $10 discount)
Buy a block of four for $440
Travel Lessons (weekly in Chicago area only)
45-MINUTE LESSONS ARE $60
60-MINUTE LESSONS ARE $80
75-MINUTE LESSONS ARE $100
A block of four would each be $240; $320; $400
Let's Chat
I am available as work for hire musician, studio work and also teach and provide private lessons.