Johnny Vidacovich has been a mainstay on the New Orleans Music scene since the 1970s and is something of living legend. He talks sound, feel, and groove and discusses his unique concept of Melodic Rhythm in this “don’t miss” episode of Drummer Nation. Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Favorite excerpts taken from shows presented in 2017. 22 drummers in 33 minutes, including Peter Erskine, Todd Sucherman, Ed Soph, Dennis Mackrel, Paul Wertico, Stanton Moore, Akira Tana, Bun E. Carlos, Rikki Rockett, Roy McCurdy and others. Remember, each of these artists have a entire episode. You can find them all archived alphabetically at http://drummernation.podbean.com/ Happy New Year! Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Encore holiday show performance by artist John Cushon. Happy Holidays! Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Dom Famularo has been traveling the globe preaching the gospel of drumming for over 40 years. Dom has earned a reputation of being the world’s leading motivational drum set artist / educator, renowned for delivering entertaining and inspiring performances unlike any other. He has presented master classes and clinics around the globe, including history-making tours of China and the Far East. Dom remains an active educator through his personal teaching studio, colleges, drum schools and camps and is an in-demand consultant to major music corporations, serving as Education Consultant for Sabian, Promark, Evans, Mapex, and Hudson Music. http://domfamularo.com/ Website Newsletter
My guest, Chuck Redd is an accomplished performer on both drums and vibraphone. He began performing and recording internationally at the age of 21 with jazz guitarists Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessel, and Herb Ellis and went on to work with jazz legends like Mel Torme’, Ken Peplowski, Terry Gibbs and Conte Candoli. He served as Artist-In-Residence at The Smithsonian Jazz Café in Washington, DC and was a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra for 15 years. He frequently headlines at festivals and clubs and is on the faculty at The University of Maryland School of Music. We happened to run into one another in New Orleans last week where he found time for this interview in a back room of the Stanton Moore Spirit of New Orleans Drum Camp. http://www.chuckredd.com/ Website
My guest is Terry O’Mahoney. After establishing himself in the Los Angeles music scene, Terry accepted a teaching position in the jazz studies program at the prestigious St Francis Xavier University, in Nova Scotia, Canada. While there he authored three drum set instruction books and worked with many notable Canadian and American jazz musicians. Upon his retirement, he relocated to Louisville, Kentucky where he continues to teach and perform. On a personal note, Terry and I have been friends for more than 30 years and have more than a few stories to tell on one another. Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Neal Smith has been playing drums since the age of five. He was the first African-American to earn a degree in Jazz Studies from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Neal performs regularly with internationally recognized jazz artists such as Tom Harrell, Benny Green, and Cyrus Chestnut, to name just a few. He leads his own jazz group and founded the NAS label in 2004 which focuses exclusively on the production of jazz recordings. He is a dedicated educator and is a Professor at Berklee College of Music. I caught up with him at his NYC home for this interview. http://nsjazz.com Website Newsletter Become a Patron
As the drummer for the Count Basie Orchestra, Butch Miles became renowned for his imagination, swinging big band style, and relentless energy. He’s also worked with legends Sammy Davis, Jr., Dave Brubeck, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, and many other jazz greats. Butch hail’s from W VA and lives near Austin, Texas. He was honored by the Texas State Senate and has been inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Conn Selmer Institute and awards from Zildjian, Ludwig and the International Association of Jazz Educators. He is currently a faculty member in jazz studies at Texas State University, in San Marcos. He continues to maintain an active gigging and recording schedule. www.butchmiles.com Website
Slim Jim Phantom grew up listening to his parent’s jazz records and started playing drums at the age of 10. By the late 1970s he was playing in bands with his school friend and bassist Lee Rocker. They soon joined forces with guitarist Brian Setzer to form the band “Stray Cats.” The band spearheaded a rockabilly revival by blending the 1950s Sun Studio sound with modern punk musical elements. Jim often performed standing up, using only a bass drum, snare drum, hi-hat and a crash cymbal, rather than a full drum kit. Their high energy shows shows brought an updated heavier sound to traditional Rockabilly music. Their hit, “Rock This Town” is listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 most important songs in the history of rock and roll music. Jim is also an active member of the Love Hope Strength Foundation, a charitable organization which raises funds for cancer units. Find out what he’s up to now, on Drummer Nation. This episode is au [...]
Having immersed himself in percussion from every part of the globe, Pete Lockett is one of the most versatile multi-percussionists in the world. He has worked with: Peter Gabriel, Jeff Beck, Björk, and Robert Plant, as well as alongside great drummers like Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, and Evelyn Glennie,to name just a few. He works globally in styles covering pop and rock, free jazz, the classical avant-guard, traditional Indian Carnatic and Hindustani music, and Japanese Taiko drumming. He has also worked extensively in the film industry, arranging and recording all the ethnic percussion for recent Hollywood hits, The Incredible Hulk 2, Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale, and Die Another Day. Pete’s compositions continue to be featured on TV shows including; The Osbournes, Anthony Bourdain, and America’s Got Talent. Pete has also released two books on drum techniques. www.petelockett.com
My guest today is the great jazz drummer, Akira Tana. Raised in California and Harvard educated, Akira co-led a quintet with the bassist Rufus Reid, releasing five albums as the band known as TanaReid. He’s also worked with jazz luminaries Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Zoot Zims, Milt Jackson, and many others. We talk about his early days, new releases as a leader, and present work as an educator. www.akiratana.com Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Eternally young jazz veteran Roy McCurdy… Bud, Oscar, Cannonball, Sonny, Ella, Sarah… to name a few. Still hittin’ and teaching at USC. www.roymccurdy.com Website Newsletter Become a Patron
My guest is Todd Sucherman. Early in his career, Todd was a 1st call studio ace, but is now best know for his work with the band Styx, where he has held down the drum chair for some 21 years and counting. The band has a new album, “The Mission,”which is getting rave reviews. As an educator, Todd is an in demand clinician and his award winning DVDs and companion books, “Methods and Mechanics,” remain best sellers. I touch on all of that and ask about his personal playing style. http://www.toddsucherman.com Website Newsletter
My guest is Paul Wertico. Paul worked with the popular Pat Metheny group from 1983-2001. His recordings with that band garnered no fewer than 7 Grammys. He is an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University in Chicago, and he also headed the school’s Jazz & Contemporary Music Studies program for five years. He continues to tour and record as a band leader. He has a new instructional book, “Turn the Beat Around, ” available from Alfred publishing. www.paulwertico.com Book Website
If you love cymbals, this is the DN edition for you. Veteran cymbal industry insider, Colin Schofield discusses his two decades role at Zildjian and his recent involvement in bringing a Tony Williams tribute set of cymbals to market with the Istanbul Mehmet company. Lots of great history, inside information and pictures from Colin’s personal archive. Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Bopworks Drumsticks founder Chris Bennett discusses the relationship between stick design and cymbal sounds. www.bopworks.net Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Bopworks Drumsticks founder Chris Bennett discusses the relationship between stick design and cymbal sounds. www.bopworks.net Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Rich Thompson has been a jazz educator at the prestigious Eastman School of Music for two decades. I sat with him at the annual Jazz Eductor Network (JEN) Conference in New Orleans earlier this year. www.richthompson.net Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Rich Thompson has been a jazz educator at the prestigious Eastman School of Music for two decades. I sat with him at the annual Jazz Eductor Network (JEN) Conference in New Orleans earlier this year. www.richthompson.net Website Newsletter Become a Patron
Jazz great Dennis Mackrel has played with legions of legends. His work in small groups, big bands and shows has kept him at the top of his game in NYC for decades. He’s an accomplished writer, arranger, and a notable educator. He’s also served as the leader of the Count Basie Orchestra. http://dennismackrelmusic.com Website Newsletter Become a Patron