Martin Anderson:

>I don't often have time these days to join the debates here but I thought
>it's time I started one.  The only North American player I know who uses
>(or used, since he might have retired) genuine dead animal is Donald Koss
>in the Chicago SO, though my only live encounter with his playing found
>that it somewhat reduced the effectiveness of the natural skins.

I know at least one other: Jim Atwood of the Louisiana Philharmonic (he
uses skins and plastic; it depends on the piece), a superb percussionist.
I assume there must be others.

Steve Schwartz