Jackie's Groove

Daniel de los Reyes  is a percussionist born in New York City and raised in Puerto Rico and Las Vegas. He is of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent and a third generation musician. He received his early drum instruction from his father, Walfredo Reyes, Sr. His grandfather, Walfredo de los Reyes II, was one of the founding members of the Cuban orchestra, Casino de la Playa. De los Reyes has performed with various artists such as Don Henley, Earth, Wind Fire, Sting, Billy Joel, Sheryl Crow, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, and Yanni, among many others, and became an official member of the Zac Brown Band in 2012.
He has formed his own entertainment company, DrumJungle, Inc., and produces the "DrumJungle Primal!" show, which combines high-energy interaction between drums, percussions, dancers, and singers, fusing together rhythms from around the world for a multi-cultural experience.
De los Reyes has also invented the "Practice Pro Pad" which is an all-in-one practice timbale and realistic sounding conga, and the LP "One Shot Shaker" with a design that enables both novice and professional musicians to execute simple or even the most complex rhythms for an entire musical track with improved precision and ease. De los Reyes currently resides in Fayetteville, GA alongside Zac Brown.

Michael McDonald  is an American singer, songwriter, keyboard player, and record producer. He is known for his soulful baritone voice.

McDonald's music career spans more than forty years. His early career included singing with Steely Dan. He joined The Doobie Brothers in 1976 and remained an integral member until 1982, after which he released the first of eight solo albums. During his career, he has collaborated with a number of other artists, including Van Halen, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin and Toto. He has also recorded for television and film soundtracks. During his career, McDonald has won five Grammy Awards.

Live at the DW Drums showroom, Jackie sits down with Derek Zimmerman, Product Manager for LP Percussion and some of the most notable percussionists in the biz, including Roland Gajate Garcia, Munyungo Jackson, Felipe Fraga,  Joey DeLeon Jr., Ronnie Gutierrez, Ron Powell

Born into a family of talented musicians in Lima, Peru on May 18, 1986, Tony Succar’s very DNA must be imbued with cadence and rhythm. The Succar family moved to Miami, Florida when Tony was just two; at the ripe old age of 13, Tony’s own music career began. He says, “I was privileged to be brought up in a family of musicians: I couldn’t be more grateful.” Succar’s music education began on piano then segued to percussion. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz Performance from Florida International University in 2008 and his Master’s degree in 2010.


Succar has worked with artists Arturo Sandoval, Néstor Torres, Ed Calle, Tito Nieves, La India, Obie Bermudez, Jennifer Peña, and Tito Puente Jr., among others. Growing up in Miami—a multi-cultural “Melting Pot”—molded him into a versatile musician, prompting him to make the most of his prodigious talent.


President of his own entertainment company, Mixtura Productions, Tony Succar is well-versed in a number of professional roles: bandleader, percussionist, musician, producer, composer, and arranger. He is currently endorsed by Gon Bops, a top percussion brand, and Sabian, one of the leading cymbal manufactures in the world. Whether in a timbales solo, an orchestration, or an explosive groove, Succar’s sound is gripping and distinctive and accommodates the energies and interests of musicians and dancers. Notably, at every performance, Tony focuses on the integrity of his music.


Succar’s compositions emphasize combinations of syncopation, harmonic curiosity, rhythmic uniformity, and tasteful melodies. With his unique arrangements and personal charisma, Succar breaks the mold to create enticing masterpieces for all. Tony’s debut album (CD/DVD) “Live at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center” is a prime example. The album received excellent reviews from mainstream media, including this one: “An exciting fusion of South America, Cuba, Jazz and South Beach flavor from an up-and-coming artist who will almost certainly be heard from more in the future.” – Jazz Chicago Reviews.


Assembling an exceptional production team and featured artists, Tony Succar has created The UNITY Project, a unique endeavor aimed at the minds, ears and hearts of a global audience. Pop legend Michael Jackson’s music and life philosophies heavily influenced Tony as a youngster and teenager, truly igniting his musical ideas and passion. The UNITY Project is the result: an innovative sound that interconnects elements of American Pop, Jazz, Tropical, and World Music with the enduring foundations of the King of Pop. The UNITY album will explode beyond mainstream media to appeal indefinitely to markets around the world.


Unity features more than 100 musicians, such Latin superstars as Tito Nieves, Jon Secada, and India, and the mixing magic of Jackson’s legendary engineer Bruce Swedien.


The mission of the UNITY Project is to honor the legacy of Michael Jackson, King of Pop, by remaining true to his artistic essence, excellence, and music. The UNITY Project seeks to unify all human beings’ hearts, talents, peoples and cultures to ensure that the imaginary barriers between people and countries shrink until—just as Michael Jackson envisioned—we all live harmoniously together.

Ray Greene has performed with several of the biggest names in the fields of Pop and RB, such as Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Rick James, and NKOTB, to name a few. His Gospel release, titled “Songs of Hope, Inspiration and Joy”, garnered much critical and commercial success.  Ray’s latest recording, called “Heaven Bound”, was recently released on his SoulVision Records label.  He also co-produced a Christmas project with well-respected pianist Dow Brain for Underground Productions called “Tell Me the Story of Christmas”, also on SoulVision Records.

C.G. Ryche is a American film director, writer, producer and visionary composer. Known in the industry as a "Renaissance man" and a "Game Changer" for his wide range of skills, business savvy and work ethic, C.G. began in film at a early age, composing music for short films, his performances would introduce him to many industry giants, where Ryche was able to study and learn about directing, editing and conveying a story on film. Ryche has helmed many projects from directing live performances artist like Mana, Linkin Park and Tizer. C.G. also is directing, writing producing for television with the show "Misty Kristy", "Ashlie TV" and other shows in pre-production. C.G. is currently working on several scripts and financing for films in the works including the Suspense / Thriller "Powned" featuring Eric Roberts, John Barbolla and Ashlie Garrett. Ryche is a nation PBS artist and is international recognized for his visionary music, C.G. has and still composes for film or projects that he's connected too. C.G. Ryche goal is to be a master storyteller like Eastwood, Nolan, Spielberg and Cameron that is lucrative for the studios and is honored by his peers.

As one of Bette Midler’s infamous and legendary Harlettes for nearly a decade, Melanie Taylor has been seen twirling and singing on the Emmy Award-Winning HBO Special Diva Las Vegas, as well as a 6-week sold-out engagement at Radio City Music Hall, and in a millennium photo essay in Rolling Stone magazine.  Melanie has been a featured vocalist on tours, TV, and shared the stage with such artists as John Mayer, Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder, Sarah McLachlan to Aerosmith’s Summer Tour 2012.

Jackie and Florentino kick back on a Memorial Day Monday and discuss the upcoming guests and events coming up, including live events with Al Di Meola, Michael McDonald and DW Drums.

Pioneering jazz-rock drummer and composer Danny Seraphine is a founding member of Chicago. Worldwide the iconic group has sold over 122 million albums, and, just domestically, earned 22 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums. In 1990, after 23 years in the group, Seraphine and Chicago had a jarring parting of ways, and he left music behind for 15 years. But a call to play a benefit show for a fellow drummer pulled him out of seclusion and sparked a creative rebirth. Today, Seraphine looks forward with Sacred Ground (Street Sense), the sophomore record from his jazz-rock powerhouse group CTA—often described as “Chicago on steroids”—and he makes peace with his past with the refreshingly candid memoir Street Player: My Chicago Story (Wiley)

With Special Guest: Liberty Devitto, drummer with Billy Joel

Just pick up one of the 150 million copies of Billy Joel records sold in the last 30 years and you’ll hear why Liberty is called “THE songwriter’s drummer.” Spanning his career, Liberty has played with Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, Mick Jagger, Roger Daltrey, Ronnie Spector, Karen Carpenter, Phoebe Snow, Elton John, Meatloaf, and many, many more. In 2013 he was inducted into The Classic Drummer’s Hall of Fame. He has been repeatedly featured in articles, documentaries and educational publications for over 40 years, and was most recently featured in the documentary “A Matter of Trust – The Bridge to Russia.”