Discussions in Percussion

Damon and Marcos interview Colin McNutt and talk about his upbringing in Cape Cod, winning individuals with the Santa Clara Vanguard, & teaching Star of Indiana's 1993 winning drumline. They also talk about him currently writing and teaching the Boston Crusaders, Calgary Stampede and other percussion programs like Spirit of America, groups in Thailand and some other B.O.A. groups. There's some music news, an iconic recording and an educational spotlight. 

This episode Damon and Marcos interview Jhair and talk about his upbringing in Peru, his move to NYC and his friendship and musical camaraderie with Pedrito Martinez. He explains some of the folkloric rhythms from Peru, how he comes up with his sound and musical vocabulary from different genres and styles he has learned and so much more! There's a tribute to Ben Riley, a recap of the Latin Grammys and American Music Awards, as well as an educational spotlight, iconic recording and music news. 

Damon and Marcos talk about the PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Conference) in Indianapolis, IN. While out at PASIC, Damon interviews Weedie Braimah before his soundcheck. They talk about him growing up in a musical family, Miles Davis, the history of his education with the Djembe, where the future of Djembe playing is going, how to get educated in West African styles and more. There's new product reviews, upcoming musical festivals, & music news.

Damon and Marcos interview Jacquelene right after she returned from China. They talk about her Latin Grammy nomination with the all female mariachi band Flor De Toloache, the Manhattan Bridges band with her father, drummer/percussionist Memo Acevedo as well as her touring with trumpet player Jeremy Pelt. There are product reviews, upcoming festival announcements, music news and more! 

This episode Damon interviews Bob Weiner. Drummer and percussionist Bob Weiner has toured and performed with Harry
Belafonte, Itzhak Perlman, Betty Buckley, Jon Lucien, Dianne Reeves, Andy Statman, Rebecca Paris, Kenny Werner, Bob Moses and many others. He has taught at the Drummers Collective (New York, NY) , New England Conservatory (Boston, MA) and Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA). He currently plays at Earthdance for Contact
Improvisation Jams, and with many movement/dance formats.
Bob has co-authored two important percussion books, “Afro-Cuban Rhythms for Drumset” with Frank Malabe and “Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset” with Duduka da Fonseca. There is also an iconic recording, music news, and educational spotlight and a tribute to Fats Domino. 

In this episode Damon and Marcos sit down with the two drummers JJ & Falcon in the middle of their fall residency at the Beacon Theater in NYC. They talk about how they navigate the situation of two drummers while also thinking like percussionists. They talk about how they navigate the business of music without the help of social media and they get into talking about other life adventures. There's also an iconic recording, some upcoming gigs and festivals and as always some music news. 

Damon and Marcos travel to Bobby's place and talk to him about growing up with a family full of musicians (the Rumberitos) and playing with different artists like Tito Nieves, Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony & The Spanish Harlem Orchestra in the Latin world, but also other genres like Paul Simon, Cindi Lauper, Gov't Mule & Grover Washington Jr. There's a tribute to the late Grady Tate, music news and a product review. 

This episode (for National Hug a Drummer Day), Damon and Marcos travel to Ralph's house in Brooklyn to talk about playing with Ray, Ruben, Cachao, and more. They talk about being in the movie The Mambo Kings, his travels from NYC to Puerto Rico and back. Ralph also talks about his mentors and trying to push the envelope with his playing and leading his own group. There's also some music news, and more on Puerto Rico and how to help in addition to some upcoming festivals and benefit concerts.

This episode features an interview with Jose Madera where Damon and Marcos talk to him about playing in the "Golden Era" of latin dance bands, arranging for many groups, being on over 500 recordings as well as teaching at the Boys Harbor school for almost 30 years. There's also some music news, a tribute to Tom Petty, a follow up on Puerto Rico & the NFL, tribute to Vegas, Jazz Foundation of America benefit, an iconic recording and a new product review. 

This week's episode is sponsored by Scott Kettner's World Drum Lessons (dot com). Damon interviews Michael Spiro and talks about his upbringing, travel to Cuba & Brazil, the books he wrote, new (and older) albums as well as the group he co-founded Talking Drums with Jesus Diaz and David Garabaldi. They talk about his teaching tenure at Indiana University, composing for Blast! and other adventures he's had in his illustrious career thus far. There is also an iconic recording and music news, as well as how to help with hurricane and earthquake relief.