The 35th HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair successfully delivered an extraordinary celebration of literature, culture, and entertainment. From July 17 to 22, book lovers, publishers, authors, and curious visitors gathered at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for the annual literary festival, held alongside the 8th HKTDC Sports and Leisure Expo and the 5th HKTDC World of Snacks. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the fair was a dynamic convergence of storytelling, industry insights, and culinary delights.
With over 700 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, the fair featured everything from international bestsellers to rare independent publications. Exclusive author talks, autograph sessions, and panel discussions brought readers closer to their favorite writers, while the “Cultural July” series added depth with forums on topics like AI in publishing and the future of digital reading.
Citi of Books (COB) was thrilled to be part of this vibrant celebration! Traveling all the way from Albuquerque to Hong Kong, COB proudly featured 14 remarkable titles from our talented authors. Among the standout selections that captivated attendees with its insightful approach was “Give the Drummer Some: Drum Line Origins in School-Daze Confunktory” by Milton Lawrence Cox II
Milton Lawrence Cox II graduated “Thank-You-Laude” with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Business at Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. At VSU, he was impressed and taught that playing music in a college level marching band is performing on the professional level.
During his junior year at Big State (VSU) he also sought out and volunteered for a one semester cooperative education internship as a computer programmer trainee at Aetna Life and Casualty Insurance Company in Hartford, CT, which upon successful completion was extended for a second semester.
Keeping his love for percussion playing current, he has performed in and around eastern Virginia as a drummer-percussionist with the Virginia State University Alumni Theatre Ensemble’s production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.
He is also prone to offer occasional sit-in rudimental combination strokes on his church’s drum set as his choir’s accompaniment. The former U. S. Navy Lieutenant is a behavioral health provider and resides in Hampton Roads, VA.
“Give the Drummer Some: Drum Line Origins in School-Daze Confunktory” provides a personal and vivid account of Cox’s experiences as an African American schoolboy drummer in the 1960s and 1970s. As a member of various school music groups, including marching bands, concert bands, and string orchestras, Cox explores the evolution of the “drum section” into what is now known as the “drumline.”
The book focuses on the transformative period during which the “military-style cadence” of traditional marching bands evolved into the funk-driven, syncopated beats that characterize modern drumlines. Cox attributes this shift to three key factors: the competitive nature among percussionists, the desire to push the boundaries of rhythmic
cadences, and the intense focus on rivalries between schools. This transformation also included a move toward dynamic, visually engaging performances, where drummers not only played but moved in sync with the music, energizing the crowd.
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