Drummer Nation

Stanton Moore updates us on life in New Orleans during Covid, including Galactic, Tipitina's, the Stanton Moore Drum Academy, a new release from Garage A Trois, and teaching at LSU

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Born in Cuba, raised in Puerto Rico, and honing his musical style in the U.S., Walfredo Reyes, Jr. learned drums from a master, his own father - Walfredo, Sr. Combining his skills as a percussionist with his love of the drumset, Walfredo has developed a truly global rhythmic style that has kept him in demand with the likes of Carlos Santana, Steve Winwood, Sergio Mendez, Gloria Estafan, and Boz Scaggs. He currently plays drum set with the Classic band, Chicago as he continues to compose, record, produce and teach

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Robyn Flans is an entertainment journalist, known especially for her insightful Modern Drummer Magazine interviews with many of the biggest names in the industry. Robyn has authored four music books, many album liner notes, and currently hosts a live drummer radiocast. She co-authored Ed Shaughnessy's autobiography, Lucky Drummer. Her newest offering is a biography of the great drummer, Jeff Porcaro. Robyn continues to work in print, audio and video genres and hosts the website, robynflansdrummerinterviews.com

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Danny Gottlieb is best known as the drummer in the original Pat Metheny Group. Danny appears on over 300 CDs, including 4 Grammy winners. He has worked with Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Randy Brecker, and Gary Sinese’s Lieutenant Dan Band, to name just a few. Danny’s teachers include Joe Morello, Mel Lewis, Ed Soph, and Jack DeJohnette. He currently teaches at the University of North Florida, and frequently works in the Nashville music scene.

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Dave Mattacks is an English-born rock and folk drummer. He was on the London music scene in the early days, working at the famous shop, Drum City. Dave played with several jazz bands before joining the influential British folk-rock band Fairport Convention, with whom he worked, on and off, from 1969 until 1997. Along the way, Dave worked with Paul McCartney, Elton John, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, and Jethro Tull. In 1998, he moved to Massachusetts, where he is a sought-after studio musician, record producer, and member of the band Super Genius

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John Ramsay's interest in playing drums began at the age of ten. He went on to study with jazz greats Joe Morrello, Max Roach, and Alan Dawson, leading to a two-year stint as the second drummer for Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He was one of the first teachers at the renowned Berklee College of Music, where he developed a holistic teaching philosophy which presents music as an avenue for students to discover their own humanity and form a happy life. After 38 years of teaching, John recently retired from Berklee. He’s authored several method books and continues to be active on the jazz scene.

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Vocalist Cathy Rich, daughter of the great jazz drummer Buddy Rich, began her career as a child, singing with her father's band. Honoring his wish for the band to continue after his death, she and husband, drummer Gregg Potter, record and tour the world fronting the Buddy Rich Band. Gregg began his career after winning a national drum contest in his home town of Chicago. Tasked with the challenge of filing the chair of arguably the world’s greatest drummer, Gregg responded with a keen understanding of big band jazz, and a great sense of humor. It's a far-ranging and fun-filled interview with them both, offered on the 103rd anniversary of the birth of the legend himself

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John Mahon has been Elton John's percussionist for more than two decades. In this far reaching interview, Mahon talks about his initial move to L.A., drum lessons with David Garibaldi, auditioning for Sir Elton, adapting to life on the road, and much more. Assisting me in the discussion is Phil Hood, co-founder of DRUM! Magazine.

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During the US quarantine of 2020, Sean Kennedy revisited the popular 1700’s rudimental snare drum solo, "The Downfall of Paris." After discovering a little known fife part, Sean penned an arrangement for a percussion section with brass quintet. Friends Clayton Cameron and Bernie Dresel were enlisted as additional snare drummers. Over a two week period, the musicians began submitting their audio and video performances to Kennedy, who had them edited into a unique performance. Sean was joined by Clayton and Bernie for this interview, offered as our salute to this week’s Independence Day holiday.

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Matt Brennan is an author, musician, and academic. He is currently an Associate Professor in Popular Music at the University of Glasgow. His newest book is Kick It, A Social History of the Drum Kit. In it, he addresses the seeming contradiction between the centrality of the drum kit on one hand and the general disparagement of drummers on the other. He examines the roles of artists and manufacturers against a dynamic backdrop race relations, global migration, and the tensions between high and low culture

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