“Master class” gets thrown around lately more than a Frisbee on any campus quadrangle, or blame for the current economic crisis. The meaning of the term has been rendered common through overuse and overstatement. I went to a yoga master-class recently for which “master” meant “twice as long.” When talking about 6-hour interactive workshops with Peter Erskine and Alex Acuña, the words are merely descriptive and defy exaggeration. Yes, even at 3 hours.

The L.A. Jazz Pro Connection has aligned a stellar constellation of master classes in August at Upstairs at Vitello’s jazz room that just happen to burn brightly out with consecutive showings by Erskine and Acuña, September 22 and 29, from 10am to 4pm. Hollywood Drum supports these events as a unique opportunity for drummers in L.A. to directly access the vast knowledge and experience of two truly masterful and influential drummers.

With our Q&A with Peter and Q&A with Alex, we find out a bit more about the classes, but mostly about the masters.