Who are we?

Percussion4u's principal is Laszlo Palko.

Laszlo has been playing percussion instruments for over a decade and has worked with a number of bands across the North West of England. Laszlo has performed at a number of high profile events over the past few years and has led team building workshops for companies such as Rolls Royce and Shell.

Laszlo specialises in Brazilian and African percussion and in particular Samba Rhythms and Latin American percussion.

From 1998 to 2004 he was Musical Director of Zambura, Bury's samba band, which had about 50 members of all ages. Laszlo has led a wide variety of workshops for schools, youth and community groups. He has also worked for the Manchester and Lancashire Music Services, teaching in both primary and secondary schools.

Laszlo has a diverse musical background with extensive experience of working with groups who have different levels of experience and different needs.Laszlo also composes his own samba pieces, including a fusion of traditional samba percussion and other different instruments.

Over the last few years he has also been taught by some leading exponents in percussion such as Dudu Tucci Giba Goncalves, Sam Alexander and Bosco D' Oliveira. Laszlo has also completed a Roots of Brazil course and holds a certificate for Advanced Instruction in Afro Brazilian percussion.

Some past events he has performed at include:

France, Spain (Merce' Festival) Portugal,
Commonwealth Games, Manchester 2002
Charity event for Mike Mc Cartney (Paul Mc Cartney's brother) and cast
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
City of Manchester Football Stadium
is considered to be one of the most beautiful and musically sophisticated Blocos at Berlin´s Carnival of Cultures. You can view a short DivX video clip from Afoxé Loni(r) 2006 by clicking on the picture below.

(N.B. You will need to have the DivX plug-in to view the file. If you don't have the DivX Plug-In for your browser you will automatically be asked to install it by Internet Explorer. Otherwise, you can download and install the DivX web plug-in/player first here - Windows 2000/XP only)

Testimonials

"Laszlo is the sort of person you can rely on, because he is always professional. He turns up on time, does what he says he’ll do, and does it with passion and flair. He has shown a strong commitment to his own professional development both as a musician and a workshop/ensemble leader. Amplifier youth music project has hired him to direct a new Samba and African drumming group for teenagers in Macclesfield and he’s done a great job.

For project managers it’s always good to find people who exceed your expectations, who willingly get involved in planning and evaluation as well as delivering consistently good workshops. Laszlo has been all this and more – he has helped coach our trainees as assistant music leaders and even found additional performance opportunities for the group through his extensive contacts.

I’m happy to recommend Laszlo and Percussion4U to anyone needing a good facilitator ..."

Martin Milner, Programme Manager
Amplifier Youth Music Programme for Cheshire.
www.amplifier.org.uk


"Dear Laszlo
Thank you so much for your contribution to our Super Learning Day. The pupils certainly enjoyed their sessions and the staff were extremely impressed and we are all keen for you to return so, hopefully, next term we will be able to arrange a return visit. ...Thanks again for contributing to a very successful and memorable Super Learning Day
Best Wishes
Cathy Fitzwilliam-Pipe
St Peters High School, Manchester

Dear Laszlo
A brief but sincere "Thank you" for a great day in school today.
Our students have not had a lot of opportunity to work with visiting
musicians ...I enjoyed the day and a number of students came back to say a further 'thank
you'. I hope you found the day to be enjoyable too....
Thanks, once again and very best wishes.
Russell Spink
Head of Music
Congleton High School