Citizens are invited to meet author and globally respected musician Danny Donnelly -- also known as "Zoro the Drummer" -- for a discussion featuring his memoir, Maria's Scarf, on Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Grants Pass branch of Josephine Community Library.
Afterward, community members can visit Oregon Books & Games at 150 NE E Street in Grants Pass for a personal book-signing event.
Maria's Scarf is the incredible story of a mother's love, a family's unbreakable bond and a starry-eyed boy who never lost sight of his dreams. As the fatherless child of a Mexican immigrant, Danny Donnelly was never expected to amount to much. Before the age of 9, his single mother had moved her seven children more than 30 times -- from the impoverished streets of south central Los Angeles to Southern Oregon. Through it all, Danny transformed himself into Zoro, one of the world's greatest drummers.
Participants will hear excerpts from the book and learn about Zoro's upbringing -- including his time living in Grants Pass as a child in the 1970s and 1980s that led to a remarkable career as a drummer for many Grammy Award-winning musicians.
Zoro the Drummer has performed on some of the most famous stages of the world. He has toured and recorded with Lenny Kravitz, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The New Edition, Jody Watley, Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire, Sean Lennon, Lisa Marie Presley, Lincoln Brewster and many others.
The Zoro the Drummer author talk is part of the 2024 Summer Reading Program sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank, Josephine Community Library Foundation and the State Library of Oregon. The program is offered free of charge and is open to the public. A library card is not needed to participate.
