"Lumo" - From Ronn Dunnett to Erik Laisi to John Van Ness

Erik Laisi was the little brother I never had. When I was at the peak of my career in the drum industry he was a customer, then a friend. His questions about drum gear and the science of it, and practical applications for playing were plentiful. Somehow, for him, I always had the patience to answer. My relationship with drumsmith Ronn Dunnett goes back decades now. I have always been a fan of the man and the product. At some point in 2003, Erik ordered an aluminum Dunnett Classic snare drum, named "LUMO" (Ronn names each drum). It has a completion date of 10/12/2003. I remember how excited Erik was the day he got it. He never seemed to get worked up about a lot of things, but he was clearly stoked. I remember him saying excitedly "It's dry like the Ludwig acrolite but more dynamic and sensitive". I replied "Like you pushed the <loudness> button on your hi-fi receiver...or the Acrolite but on steroids, right?" Erik exclaimed "YES...EXACTLY!". Over the years he would talk about that drum and all of the wonderful musical moments he had with it, just expressing himself. And to me, that's the thing about quality gear. Once you have the right tools for you, the things that don't hold you back, it's easier to have a musical dialogue. Erik passed on March 3rd, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. His sense of humor and positive attitude remained, even in his final months. And he didn't complain, not once. His father confided in me after Erik's passing how he had considered me a friend and mentor, and that Erik's journey to becoming a manufacturer's rep in the drum industry seemed attainable because I had shown him it was possible. I was saddened to miss Erik's lovely memorial at the Knickerbocker, but couldn't get out of a work commitment to be there. Ever since, this has bothered me tremendously, as I know I would have found comfort in sharing stories of Erik's life with others. I have been craving a connection since I heard he passed. I had once heard African drumming master Baba Olatunji say that the relationship to his djembe was a "trinity". The soul of the tree it was carved from, the spirit of the animal whose skin made the head, and Baba's heart in performing with it were a sacred triangle of sorts. So Erik's beautiful parents, Tom and Marion, decided that Erik would have wanted me to have this incredible drum to continue playing it and honor his legacy. And I consider it a "trinity" as well. It honors my friendship to Ronn who created it, and Erik who played it before me. And I am the third point on the triangle. It truly is my honor to have it. And believe me, it will be played. ️ #dunnettclassic #cancersucks