Backstage at The Enharmonic

September 6, 2016: If you've ever played in a middle school or high school jazz band or have seen the movies The Majestic, National Treasure, Remember the Titans, Armageddon, Star Trek: Nemesis, The Incredibles, Snakes on a Plane, Race to Witch Mountain, Con Air, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes or have watched Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, or Tom and Jerry on TV then you've heard my guest Gordon Goodwin's music!

This interview is fun, action packed and has some unexpected twists and turns, just like Gordon’s music.  We start by geeking-out about our love of John Williams’ music.  Then we hit on topics such as Gordon's early musical life, finding a balance between writing readily accessible music that still has some meaningful content, his opinion about the state of popular music, funding for the arts in schools, how technology has expedited the composing process, his flute recording swan-song, his new radio show on KJazz 88.1 FM, performance wisdom that he gained from Johnny Mathis, his new recording with the Little Phat Band: ‘An Elusive Man’ and we even touch on the The JFK assassination(!?) and much more!
 

August 28, 2016: In this episode I get to talk with one of my all-time favorite drummers, Jeff Sipe.  I've been a fan of Jeff's since 1994, when I first heard him with Col. Bruce Hampton and The Aquarium Rescue Unit.  Since then I've been able to see his trio live, have seen him perform with Jeff Coffin's Mu'tet on numerous occasions and have even been able to perform with Jeff Sipe for the Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration featuring Warren Haynes.

In this episode Jeff talks about his early drum lessons in Germany, playing on a cutting board during his first lesson, why there is no background music in his world, how a jazz competition award in high school changed his perspective, and why he considers teaching a sacred thing.

August 22, 2016:  I was very lucky to find a few minutes to speak with Capathia Jenkins this week.  When not performing on TV and Broadway, she is busy crisscrossing the globe performing on the world’s biggest stages with the finest orchestras.  Last year I performed in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Jacksonville with Capathia in Classic Soul. She brought the house down in all three cities, every single night of the show.  It was a real thrill to hear her sing each night and to perform with her.  In this episode we learn about Capathia's early influences including the church and R&B, the significance of a teacher's encouragement, how her aural skills broadened at Temple University, the moment that she felt as though she had finally made it,  why live music is always her favorite, and her deep passion for her work with Covenant House. 

This Brooklyn-born and raised actress most recently starred as ‘Medda’ in the hit Disney production of Newsies’ on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in The Civil War, where she created the role of Harriet Jackson.  An active concert artist, Ms. Jenkins has appeared with orchestras around the world including the Pittsburgh Symphony (with Marvin Hamlisch), National Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, The Philly Pops, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic, just to name a few.  Her Television credits include 30 Rock, the Practice, Law & Order SVU, the Sopranos, Law & Order and The Wiz Live!   When not acting and singing she spends much of her free time supporting the efforts of Covenant House by serving on the board of directors and organizing Sleep Out: Broadway Edition.

 

August 13, 2016:  In this episode we chat with percussion and publishing powerhouse Dave Black.  Dave reminisces about first hearing the power of a drumline at a parade when he was 7 years old, purchasing and learning to play guitar before becoming a percussionist, his fortuitous meeting in high school and lasting friendship with legendary drummer Louie Bellson, the importance of having a strong foundation in music theory for all drummers, and 'paying it forward' in the music industry.

Award-winning percussionist/composer Dave Black received his Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from California State University, Northridge.  As one of the biggest selling percussion authors in the world, Mr. Black is the author or co‑author of several best-selling books published by Alfred Music, most notably Alfred's Drum Method, Books 1 & 2 (the world's current best seller).  He currently serves as Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, School and Church Publications, for Alfred Music, and endorses Yamaha drums, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Remo drumheads.
 

July 20, 2016: I  am happy to welcome a true drumming legend and personal hero of mine, The Brush Master: Clayton Cameron.  In this episode we learn about Big C's (that's what Sammy Davis, Jr. called him) time in the Los Angeles All-City High School Marching Band, his 'terrible' audition with Mr. D, the two most important weeks of his life and tap dancers, not winning the audition for the college jazz band, his new course at UCLA, and how he ended up taking tennis lessons from Mike Agassi (yes! Andre's dad!)

Clayton Cameron is a master American drummer, writer, composer, producer, historian, and educator. He has performed or recorded with legends in the music business such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis jr. and other artist such as James Brown, BB King, Ray Charles, John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, Molly Ringwald and Mariah Carey to name a few. Nicknamed the Brush Master for being the most innovative brush player since Papa Jo Jones of the count Basie Orchestra and now he himself is the drummer for the famous big band.

 

July 5, 2016:  My next guest and I have known each other for nearly a quarter century, the internationally acclaimed conductor Donald Nally. Having performed in many of his choirs while an undergraduate student at West Chester University in the mid 90’s, and playing and arranging percussion for him outside of the academic setting, my musical life has been incredibly enriched. 

In this episode we learn about Donald’s love-affair with the saxophone, the effect that great (and not-so-great) teachers had on his career path, splitting his time between Philadelphia and Chicago, The Crossing choir, and his early experiences performing with Robert Shaw and Leonard Bernstein. 

Donald Nally is conductor of The Crossing, the GRAMMY award-winning professional chamber choir in Philadelphia focused on new music. He is also chorus master of The Chicago Bach Project and Director of Choral Organizations at Northwestern University.
 

June 20, 2016 This episode of Backstage at The Enharmonic features the multifaceted Jeffrey R. Smith.  We learn about Jeff's early days at home in New Jersey taking piano lessons, singing with the Philadelphia Boys Choir, his years on Broadway right after college and even a little bit about his short lived trombone playing days in high school.

An alumnus of Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale, Smith stepped into the position of Music Director in 2004 and has since led the choir on concert tours throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Smith has led the group on local and national television including five consecutive annual appearances on "Good Morning America". As a pianist in much demand, Smith has played with the Philadelphia Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, Philly POPS, and for several shows on and Off-Broadway. He is also assistant conductor for the Philly POPS.

 

June 3, 2016 I'm happy to have  Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser as the seventh guest on Backstage at The Enharmonic!  Dr. Tim's legendary workshops, advocacy materials and educational resources have influenced and shaped the lives of millions of students and music educators across the United States.  In this episode we'll learn about the 'agreement' that he had with his parents about learning to play the drums, his affinity for jazz, especially Oscar Peterson,  and about his rural upbringing in Bluffton, Indiana.

Dr. Tim presently serves as Vice President of Education for Conn-Selmer, Inc. He is a nationally recognized voice touting the importance of arts education for every child. He is a well-known name in the music education world as a teacher, clinician, author, composer, consultant, adjudicator, and, above all, a trusted friend to anyone interested in working with young people in developing a desire for excellence.  I am honored to have him as a trusted friend and colleague.



 

May 13, 2016: Having unwittingly scheduled an interview for Friday the 13th made me a little nervous, however, Chris Coletti was an incredibly mirthful guest!  He explains how he ended up playing the trumpet although he originally had aspirations of being a violinist or clarinet player, he explains the genesis of his trademark operatic vocal stylings, his mad karaoke skills, going to middle school dressed as a baseball player, having perfect 'enough' pitch, talks about his favorite composer J.S. Bach, his love of Japanese wood working and dream of creating his very own forest one day.

Since joining Canadian Brass in 2009, trumpeter/arranger Christopher Coletti has performed hundreds of concerts, TV and radio appearances around the world with the group, recorded 7 billboard chart-topping/award-winning CDs, filmed multiple music videos, and arranged a plethora of music that The Brass has recorded and regularly performs.

May 9, 2016 Perhaps best known as Conan O'Brien's saxman for the last 23 years today's guest, Jerry Vivino, shares stories about his foundation on the clarinet and hisparents profound influence on his life and career.  A short lived xylophone career, baseball, Roy Rogers, his childhood teacher Ray Gerrard, and his recently acquired circular breathing technique are all discussed through-out this captivating interview. 

Jerry has been with Conan since the beginning, and is currently a member of the Basic Cable Band, the house band for the TBS late night program Conan.  Jerry has performed with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Son Seals, Paul Shaffer, Al Kooper, Dion, James Brown, Phoebe Snow, Donald Fagen, Dr. John, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis and the legendary Keely Smith, to name just a few.