Working Drummer

By Working DrummerBusiness Arts Music Performing Arts Careers Music Interviews

Working Drummer episodes

October 20, 2022391 - Gary Husband: New Record - The Trackers: Vaudeville 8:45, The Early Days with Allan Holdsworth, Videocast Lessons
Gary Husband is one of a rare breed of musicians in that his expression is divided equally in his capacity as a drummer and a pianist and keyboardist of international repute. His classical roots, his quest and development in the improvisational, jazz and jazz/fusion areas – not to mention his tenure in the pop, rock, funk and blues circuits – are all evident inside Gary’s distinct and far-reaching musical personality. His solo album and DVD output has also reinforced his status as a critically acclaimed writer and arranger in the contemporary music world.
For close to four decades Gary has worked alongside a vast and eclectic range of celebrated musicians including John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce (Cream), Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy), British pop/funk band Level 42, Billy Cobham, Al Jarreau, Mike Stern (Miles Davis), John Wetton (King Crimson), Chris Squire (Yes), Andy Summers (The Police), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Robin Trower (Procol Harum), and with producers Sir George Martin (Beatles), Trevor Horn (Grace Jones & Art of Noise), Quincy Jones (Michael Jackson), Jerry Hey and James Guthrie (Pink Floyd).
Further associations and performing/recording credits include his work with Randy Brecker, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, fusion/jam band Gongzilla, Germany’s NDR Bigband, Soft Machine, Maria Schneider, Christian McBride, Eddie Van Halen, Dean Brown, Bob Berg, Nguyên Lê, Joe Lovano, Charles Tolliver, Bireli Lagrène, Peter Erskine, Ron Sexsmith, drum n’ bass protagonists Lemon ‘D’ and Dillinja.
As an internationally established drum clinician he has performed alongside Dennis Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta, Terry Bozzio, Billy Cobham, Simon Phillips, Omar Hakim, Ricky Lawson, Todd Sucherman, Paul Wertico, Denny Seiwell and Bernard Purdie, and most recently has been developing a series of motivational videocasts in drumming.
In this episode, Gary talks about:
   An early influence: John Von Ohlen
   Knowing how to relax and slow down to benefit the performance
   Videocast lessons on Gary’s website
   The early days of working with Allan Holdsworth
   His newest recording with The Trackers: Vaudeville 8:45

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 4 min
October 13, 2022390 - Clint de Ganon: Playing with Paul Shaffer, The Changing World of Broadway, "A Groove is an Agreement"
To date, Clint has played on over 1,000 recording sessions and over 75 tours with artists including The Blues Brothers Band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chuck Loeb, Art Garfunkel, The New York Voices, Mitch Forman, Cornell Dupree, and Edgar Winter. On television, Clint has appeared with the Saturday Night Live Band, and has performed with various artists on David Letterman, MTV, Bravo, Good Morning America, & The Today Show. He also played on the soundtrack for Stephen Spielberg's West Side Story.
For seven years, Clint played drums with Hiram Bullock's band, a power trio that featured the singing and playing of Hiram, legendary bassist Will Lee. The band made 5 recordings, and toured no less than 25 times. On Broadway, Clint has played for 13 shows, creating the drum books for four of them, including the Grammy Award winning Hairspray.
In this episode, Clint talks about:
The romanticization of session work
Creating a career out of patchwork, and the fragmentation of the record industry
How theatre work is a fusion of a live approach with a studio approach
Getting experience in a given genre on "regular gigs" before playing that genre as part of a musical
Playing with Paul Shaffer, and the unique position of playing drums with a symphony orchestra

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 15 min
October 06, 2022389 - John Geiger: Multi-Decade Career in the Music Product Industry, Drumming with the Scotty Mac Band, The Business of Endorsements
John Geiger began his love for music and drumming at an early age and spent his early band years playing 80’s rock on the Sunset Strip and later moved on to country and classic rock. John pursued his music passion by creating a multi-decade career in the music product industry. John has spend over 30 years working in this industry with iconic brands such as Yamaha, D’Addario, KORG USA and Zildjian.
John currently plays in the Scotty Mac Band who’s regional success led to opening slots for national touring acts like Brett Young, Tyler Farr, Phil Vassar, Lee Brice and Chase Rice. The band performs at festivals around the country including Night in the Country, Country Fan Fest, Oregon Jamboree, Country Thunder, Coastal Country Jam among others. In 2016 McLaughlin released his first EP Messin’ Around which was followed in 2018 with a sophomore album Starts With A Girl, both recorded in Nashville. The band won California Country Association’s Entertainer of the Year in 2017. Today, fans can see the band playing in Nashville at bars such as Tin Roof, Winners and Ole' Red.
In this episode, John talks about:
   Major changes in the retail industry over the last 40 years
   His job title and responsibilities at Zildjian / Vic Firth
   John’s history in the music product industry
   The communal nature of drummers
   The business of endorsements
   News about supply chain issues

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 42 min
September 29, 2022388 - Chris Parker: Decades on the New York Scene, Playing with Dylan, Stuff, and G.E. Smith, Performing on SNL
Born in Chicago, Chris was playing drums at age three and began performing his first professional gigs at eleven. At nineteen, Parker began recording and touring with blues great Paul Butterfield and then broke into the New York studio scene in 1970,doing records, movie scores and filling the drum chair at Saturday Night Live. Toph, as friends know him, recorded platinum, gold and Grammy winning albums and CDs with many artists, including, Bob Dylan, Cher, Natalie Cole, Donald Fagen, Ashford and Simpson, Aretha Franklin, Freddie Hubbard, James Brown, Stuff, Miles Davis, Patti LaBelle, Michael Bolton, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, and Quincy Jones who has written liner notes for the latest cd, ”Blue Print.”
Currently leading his own band, the Chris Parker Trio with Kyoko Oyobe, piano and Ameen Saleem, bass, Parker has just recorded “Blue Print,” a new cd dedicated to Arif Mardin and produced by Arif’s son, Joe. This new work features Randy Brecker on three tracks as well as Parker’s original compositions.
In this episode, Chris talks about
New York scene in the 70s, when he was getting serious about music
His 50 year association with bassist Will Lee
His work with Stuff, and playing double drums in the band with Steve Gadd
Seeing numerous drum legends over and over at New York clubs, and receiving mentorship from them in different ways
How an impromptu rehearsal/jam with Bob Dylan unknowingly served as an audition
Adapting to the many different ways Dylan wanted to interpret songs in the moment
How his passion for drawing and painting has informed his musical approach

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 17 min
September 22, 2022387 - Steven Wolf: Creating Emotional Reactions in Programming, Connection Between Mind and Body, Advice for the Young Player
Steven Wolf (also known simply as Wolf) is one of the world’s most in-demand studio musicians. His discography includes numerous #1, Gold, Platinum, and Grammy winning records.
A virtuoso drummer and world class programmer, with an encyclopedic musical vocabulary spanning every musical genre, his distinctive skill-set and versatility have made him the "go-to" rhythmic solution for a long list of the world's top recording artists and producers. In addition to drumming and programming, he's also an accomplished producer, songwriter, and remixer.
Wolf’s credits include: Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Annie Lennox, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Celine Dion,Cher, Joss Stone, Britney Spears, The Bee Gees, Natalie Imbruglia, Leona Lewis, Johnny Cash, Rufus Wainwright, Daryl Hall, Macy Gray, Grover Washington Jr, Oz Noy, Hiram Bullock, Tribal Tech, Larry Coryell, The Gil Evans Orchestra, Lenny Pickett, The Saturday Night Live Band, and many others…
In this episode, Wolf talks about:
   Advice for the young player
   Transitioning from a touring to session drummer and programmer
   Getting the right sounds in the studio
   Managing a sample library
   Creating an emotional reaction in programming
   Staying current with musical styles
   The connection between mind and body

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 47 min
September 15, 2022386 - Billy Drummond: Playing with Sonny Rollins and Horace Silver, His New Record, "Me Being Me for Right Now"
Acclaimed by Downbeat as “one of the hippest bandleaders now at work,” Billy Drummond’s thrilling, powerful and highly musical playing has also made him one of the most called-for sidemen of his generation. Mentored in the bands of jazz legends Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, J J Johnson and Sonny Rollins, Drummond is now widely acknowledged as one of today’s most versatile drummers, making sideman appearances with a veritable who’s who of jazz greats on over 350 albums. He has made three albums as a leader—including Dubai, a New York Times Number 1 Jazz Album of the Year—and five as a co-leader, including We’ll Be Together Again in Three’s Company, a trio with Javon Jackson and legendary bassist Ron Carter, which made several Top Ten lists of the Year.
In this episode, Billy talks about:
The idea of a jazz record being a snapshot of an artist's present condition
How what he loves listening to relates to what he chooses to play
Entertainment vs. expression
Playing with Horace Silver
The influence and mentorship of Al Foster
Teaching at NYU and Julliard

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 30 min
September 08, 2022385 - Dez Davis: Drumming for Hunter Hayes & Mickey Guyton, Promoting His Brand “BlackDrumHippie”, Using Faith as a Guide
Desmond Davis the “BlackDrumHippie”, is a Dove Award, Stellar Award & Ascap Rhythm & Soul Award winning, Grammy nominated musician, producer and writer hailing from the west side of Chicago where he honed his skills in the Baptist church playing gospel music however; he is well-rounded with the ability to play various genres including but not limited to; rock, pop, country, hip-hop, jazz, R&B, reggae, funk, and blues .
The BlackDrumHippie’s talent and tenacity has afforded him various endorsements and the opportunity to play a variety of tours, festivals, tv appearances and concert venues.
With growing notoriety, Desmond has played for decorated artists such as: Donald Lawrence, Johnathan McReynolds, Sir the Baptist, Todd Dulaney, Byron Cage, Bri Babrieaux, Hunter Hayes, Mickey Guyton & many more.
Desmond’s hard work and forward thinking has allowed BlackDrumHippie to transcend music as it has grown into a brand that provides customizable Levi denim jackets, t-shirts and other merchandise.
In this episode, Dez talks about:
   Moving to Nashville in 2019 with a gig with Hunter Hayes
   Affordable home studio options for outboard gear
   Growing up and performing in many churches in the west side of Chicago
   Trusting in his faith to be a guide
   His experience with songwriting yet staying focused on live performance and sessions
   Promoting his brand

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 21 min
September 01, 2022384 - Larry Florman: Fronting Them Vibes, Collaborating with Maggie Rose, Traditional Percussion vs. Pop Percussion
Larry Florman is a drummer, percussionist, vocalist, and front man for the Nashville-based band Them Vibes. Also known as Brother Love, he fronted numerous bands in New York before relocating to Nashville. Them Vibes has put out numerous singles and EPs since 2013, and became the opener and backing band for Maggie Rose, with whom they co-wrote and toured. Larry is also married to Nashville drummer Sarah Tomek.
In this episode, Larry Talks about:
Joining forces and later parting ways with Maggie Rose
How his musical life came to encompass drumset, percussion, and vocals
Learning traditional African and Latin percussion in New York with Babatunde Olatunji and other masters
Traditional Afro-Cuban conga playing vs. the American soul tradition
How he and Sarah interact musically

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 28 min
August 25, 2022383 - Nick Raskulinecz: Producing Rush, Foo Fighters and Others, Loving Drums and Producing Drummers, Reflections on Taylor Hawkins
Nick Raskulinecz is a record producer who has produced a Grammy-winning album for Foo Fighters, a #1 rock album for Alice In Chains, a #1 rock album for Rush, a #1 Billboard album for Evanescence, a #1 UK album for Stone Sour, and many more.
Neil Peart writes:
"Nick was best known for his highly successful work with the Foo Fighters, but before that he had a long history as a musician, engineer and producer. He had started out in Knoxville, Tennessee, and more-or-less worked his way west, studio by studio. When we met Nick, we all liked his youthful, unbridled enthusiasm, but at 36, he was also experienced enough to have a strong background in music and recording."
Of the recording sessions with Nick, he writes: "I have never enjoyed the recording process so much, nor been so satisfied with the results."
Geddy Lee from Rush also writes praise about working with Nick, saying "There's no point in hiring a producer who's not going to speak his mind, but it's a tall order to find someone who can hear Neil's playing, amazing as it is, and still say, 'Maybe you should try going in this direction...' It was a pleasure to be challenged [by Nick]. That's really what a band like us needs."
In this episode, Nick talks about:
   Moving to Nashville from Los Angeles
   His studio in Nashville “Rock Falcon Studio”
   What he’s learned from drum techs over the years
   Studio hacks when tracking drums as well as an “anti-hack”
   What a producer really does
   Producing the last two Rush records
   Nick’s hands on approach to producing drummers
   Reflections on Taylor Hawkins

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 9 min
August 18, 2022382 - Tommy Crane: His New Solo Album, His Journey from New York to Montreal, from Jazz to Ambient, and from Acoustic to Electronic
Tommy Crane is a NYC and Montreal based musician. Crane has recorded and performed with Ambrose Akinmusire, Melissa Aldana, Briars of North America, The Mingus Big Band, Linda Oh, Thus Owls, Aaron Parks, Richard Reed Parry, Logan Richardson, Bing and Ruth, Becca Stevens, Half Waif, Port St Willow, and Wood River.
In 2017 Crane was commissioned by the Lincoln Center, NY, to create a multimedia piece titled "Preservation" in collaboration with filmmaker Tracy Maurice. Crane's composition was performed live and released as a full-length album in 2019. In addition to Crane, the recording features performances by Colin Killalea (Albert Hammond Jr.), Eliot Krimsky (Here we go magic), and Greg Chudzik (Steve Reich).
In 2017/2018, Crane toured extensively with Melissa Aldana and recorded the Grammy Nominated album "Visions" with the band. Crane is also a core member of Aaron Parks's "Little Big" (whom he met and befriended at a jazz camp in NYC when they were both 15 years old). Crane also taught improvisational ensembles at the Accademia Nazionale del Jazz - Siena Jazz in Italy (2019-2020). He contributes original compositions to various WNYC and NPR podcasts and is also a Sunhouse artist.
In this episode, Tommy talks about:
The process of recording his album, almost entirely on his own at home
How he uses Sunhouse products
His early days in New York attending the New School and immersing himself in jazz
Playing with the Mingus Big Band
Getting burned out by life in New York, musically and otherwise
Prioritizing projects, bands, and his own music over the "hired gun" life

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 33 min

About Working Drummer

From the publisher's feed

With 500 episodes and counting, Working Drummer Podcast is the source for those interested in what it’s like to be a professional drummer. Hosted by Matthew Crouse and Zack Albetta, Working Drummer…