Discussions in Percussion

Damon and Marcos catch up with Jamey while he's on the road with Paul Simon. They talk about that particular gig, and how he got it as well as attending and then teaching at Berklee and then making the switch to Oberlin. They talk about some spirituality as well as the group Jamey leads. There's a product review, an iconic recording, and RIP segment to Vinnie Paul music news and more.

Damon gets to spend some time with Aaron Draper and Devin Webster in their hotel before headlining the Governor's Ball in NYC. They talk tips that you may not think about to succeed in the music business that don't necessarily have to do with playing. Important information is shared and other fun tidbits are talked about. Marcos and Damon also talk about an iconic recording, some product reviews, educational spotlight and music news.

Damon and Marcos travel to Brooklyn to interview Keita Ogawa. They talk about him playing with Snarky Puppy and Banda Magda as well as the coordination of all the percussionists involved with those groups They also talk about playing with the 7 string guitar prodigy Charlie Hunter, as well as what it was like to travel from Japan to Boston to study music. They also talk about his collection of gear and how he continues to accumulate more instruments and ideas to develop his sound. There's also an educational spotlight, iconic recording, music news and some other banter.

Damon and Marcos talk to percussionist and capoeirista Kahlil Cummings. Born and raised in L.A, but having traveled the world, Kahlil started getting stamps in his passport in middle school. They talk about his upbringing, being mentored by Mamady Keita, and even working with the likes of Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar. There's also an iconic recording, product review, educational spotlight and music news.

On this holiday weekend, Damon and Marcos open up the mailbag again and answer a bunch of questions that have been written in to the podcast. They also try to set you up for your career with a book list, gig tips, summer festivals (and how to track them down) as well as an iconic recording, product review, educational spotlight and music news!

Damon and Marcos interview Henry Cole. Grammy award winning drummer, who has been a sideman to the greats of jazz as well as a band leader of his own projects. He has taught at Manhattan School of music, The New School and given tons of masterclasses and clinics. They talk of his upbringing in Puerto Rico, move to NYC and much more. There's an iconic recording, RIP segment, product reviews, educational spotlight, music news and more!

Damon and Marcos talk with Bill Bachman and talk about his upbringing, history through drum corps, and how he excelled at his craft. They also talk about how he filled the void with the need for products and educational books among other things. There's an educational spotlight, product reviews, music news, mail time and gig alerts.

Damon and Marcos sit down with Camilo Molina, Marcos Lopez, Gabo Lugo & Javier Raez. They talk about the future of percussion, the power of artistry, camaraderie vs competition and so much more. There's also product reviews, and and RIP to Roy Burns and John "Jabo" Starks. Having fun late night in the Boogie Down Bronx with the homies!

Damon and Marcos travel to the Bronx to interview Papo Pepin. He can be described as "Your favorite conga player's conga player". There isn't enough space to list all the salsa and Afro-Cuban musicians that Papo has played with. Also, a product review, educational spotlight and music news.

Damon and Marcos talk to "Gabo" about his upbringing in Puerto Rico studying with Paoli Mejias (among others). They talk about how being around a recording studio with his mom influenced his knowledge of and passion for electronics, as well as, incorporating those sounds into his percussion playing. The episode gets into some deep topics and also includes an iconic recording, product review, music news and more!