206 – John Bryant: The Dallas Scene, Playing with Ray Charles, Teaching Drums and Production, Musical Partnership with Stewart Copeland

Robert Boone recently graduated from Florida State University with his Masters Degree in Jazz Studies and is currently drummer for The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra. He has collaborated with leading artists such as Eric Reed, Marcus Roberts, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Scotty Barnhart, Marcus Lewis, Lester Walker, Rodney Jordan, Bill Peterson, and Leon Anderson. Boone received an undergraduate degree in Music Performance at Kennesaw State University, studying with percussion professor John Lawless and jazz drum set professor Justin Chesarek, and was selected to participate in the 2015 Disneyland All American College Band. In this episode, Robert talks about: * How he got the Basie gig* How relying too much on reading can limit your musicianship* His take-aways from a summer with the Disney All American College Band* Different ways to decipher big band charts and set up phrases* Why Sonny Payne is his favorite Basie drummer* How to make the most of a college program* Avoiding a negative/competitive mindset toward your contemporaries* How to stay plugged into your scene if you’re on the road a lot

1 Aug 20191h 29min

Dave McAfee has been the drummer for every one of Toby Keith’s tours since 2000. Shows with Toby include stadium shows and festivals topping 80,000 fans, televised performances, country awards shows, USO tours as well as a Super Bowl performance for Super Bowl XXXVIII. Other artists Dave has performed and/or recorded with include Wade Hayes, Bryan White, Scotty Emerick, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sammy Hagar, David Allen Coe, Steve Wariner, Glen Campbell, Terri Clark and many more. In this episode, Dave talks about:  * Touring with Toby Keith * Defining success and happiness * Overcoming technical difficulties on the gig* Significant changes in the industry * USO touring Dave endorses: Yamaha drums, Paiste cymbals, Aquarian heads, Vic Firth sticks, Woodshed Art, The Grombal, Buttkicker

25 Jul 20191h 13min

Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1963, ‘El Negro’ Hernandez has been a force on the international scene since 1990. Whether performing with jazz legends like McCoy Tyner or Michel Camilo, rock stars like Carlos Santana and Stevie Winwood or in notable Latin American ensembles like the Tropi-Jazz All Stars of the late Tito Puente, ‘El Negro’ has also shown himself to be one of the most versatile musicians in the international music scene today. He is the author of Conversations in Clave, one of the drumming world’s most widely used and well-respected method books, and he has just released his first big band album as a leader, Italuba Big Band Live, which is also available on DVD. In this episode, El Negro talks about: * Growing up in Havana, the son of the only jazz DJ in Cuba, and the grandson of a trumpet player* Going to prison for playing rock music* Spending two years in Rome before moving to New York* The young Cuban musicians he recruited to play on his new big band record* The overlaps between Afro-Cuban and big band music and history* The longevity of Conversations in Clave, and his advice to Afro-Cuban beginners.* Challenges and ideas he’s still chasing Horacio endorses Pearl drums and percussion, Istanbul Mehmet cymbals, Promark sticks, Evans drumheads, Shure microphones, and Protection Racket cases.

18 Jul 201955min

Daniel Glass is an award-winning drummer, author, historian and educator. He is widely recognized as an authority on classic American drumming and the evolution of American Popular Music. Daniel was a member of the pioneering swing group Royal Crown Revue from 1994 to 2014. He has recorded and performed all over the world with many top artists, including Brian Setzer, Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, Jose Feliciano, Michelle Shocked, Mike Ness, Freddie Cole, Marilyn Maye, the Hot Sardines, the Budapest Jazz Orchestra, Air Supply’s Graham Russell and KISS frontman Gene Simmons. For two years running, Daniel was voted one of the top five R&B drummers in the world by readers of Modern Drummer and DRUM magazine. Since 2011, he has been the house drummer every Monday night at New York’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club. As an educator, Daniel has published five books and three DVDs, including the award-winning titles The Century Project, The Roots of Rock Drumming, and The Commandments of Early Rhythm and Blues Drumming. He is a regular contributor to publications like Modern Drummer, DRUM and Classic Drummer. He has performed hundreds of clinics and master classes globally, appearing at many of the world’s top educational conferences and music festivals. In 2013, he co-curated an exhibit on the history of the drum set at the Rhythm Discovery Center in Indianapolis, IN, for which he was awarded the Percussive Arts Society’s “Distinguished Service Award.” Daniel currently resides in New York City. In this episode, Daniel talks about: * Playing cabaret style gigs* The importance of knowing history when learning styles * His podcast, “The Daniel Glass Show” * The importance of teaching the fundamentals * The story and evolution of the hi-hat  http://danielglass.com/daniel-bio/daniels-gear/

11 Jul 20191h 33min

Johnny Radelat has been touring and recording with Gary Clark Jr. since 2012. Born to Cuban immigrants in Jersey City N.J., Johnny came of age in Miami, FL, and currently resides in Austin TX. Prior to teaming up with Gary Clark Jr, he honed the skills and subtleties of playing/touring with reggae, R&B, soul, and Funk bands, while still embracing a bombastic/caveman-ish approach to drumming. In this episode, Johnny talks about * Guesting for a week with the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers* What attracted him to Austin after getting his start in Florida* How Austin supports musicians in tangible ways (healthcare, etc.)* The first gigs he played in Austin, and how they challenged him* How moving to Austin and playing with Gary changed his approach* Gary’s esoteric way of expressing what he needs from Johnny * How “dancing” behind the drums can reinforce your feel Johnny endorses Gretsch drums, Sabian cymbals, Promark sticks, and Evans drumheads.

4 Jul 201938min

Rick Brothers has performed with over 40 artists at events such as the GRAMMYs, Billboard Music Awards, CMT Music Awards, the AMAs and the Super Bowl XXXIX pregame show.  During his decade and a half in Nashville Tennessee, Rick worked with various national artists including Ty Herndon, Jo-El Sonnier, Sarah Johns, Doug Stone, Gretchen Wilson, Colt Ford and most recently Bad Company’s former lead singer Brian Howe. During his five year tenure with Colt Ford, Rick recorded drums on four of Ford’s albums. He also recorded with a number of artists and producers including music legends such as Dan Huff (Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift) and Jonathan Cain of Journey. In this episode, Rick talks about: * Making the move to Florida after a decade and a half in Nashville * Drumming for Brian Howe, the former singer for Bad Company * Responsibilities of a band leader * The self confidence that’s needed to survive in the music business* Using a Zendrum on gigs Rick endorses: CRUSH Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Peavey Power amps, Aquarian Drumheads, Qwik Stix Stick holders and accessories, Gibraltar Hardware, and Groove Juice Cleaner

27 Jun 20191h 20min

A professional musician for over twenty five years, Chad Gamble grew up in Tuscumbia, AL in the Muscle Shoals Area. Upon graduating from the University of Alabama, he made moves to Shreveport, LA and Memphis, TN gaining valuable experience along the way, including being nominated twice as “Premier Drummer” by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Memphis Chapter. He has toured internationally with The Bluebirds, Gamble Brothers Band and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Chad has been with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit since 2008 and has returned to his hometown where he lives with his wife and daughter. Chad received a Grammy for his work on “The Nashville Sound” released in 2017. In 2015, Chad played drums on the Grammy Award winning album “Something More Than Free.” In 2016, he played on the Grammy Nominated Song, “Mother’s Children Have a Hard Time” with the Blind Boys of Alabama. When not on tour, Chad stays busy in Muscle Shoals with recording sessions and teaching lessons. Chad Gamble endorses Gretsch drums, Vic Firth sticks, and Zildjian cymbals.

20 Jun 20191h 8min

Megan Jane brings a simple stylistic philosophy to her playing – “less is more.”   After attending Berklee College of Music for two years, Megan moved to Southern California and began getting as much experience playing live and working with varied artists as possible.  She decided to make the move to Nashville in order to gain more opportunities in her musical career. Since moving to Nashville, Megan has played drums live and in the studio with several artists like Kree Harrison, Misa Arriaga, Sonia Leigh, Fiona Culley, Hailey Steele, Steve Grand, Hannah Dasher the band Side Piece and others.  She has also had the opportunity to play with Joan Osborne as well as to sit in on auxiliary percussion with Dr. John at the Americana Music Awards. She has experience playing all types and sizes of show and stage and has opened for artists ranging from Chris Young to DEVO. Megan has also been involved with several projects as a studio musician including working with Grammy award winning Sony producer Josh Monroy (Ludacris, Quincy Jones) on various projects.  She has recently recorded for Nashville-based Fiona Culley, Wild Ponies, Ellen Angelico and Amelia White, as well as London-based Worry Dolls.  In this episode, Megan talks about:  * Performing on the Grand Ole Opry* The mind / body connection * Working with the band Side Piece and singer Hannah Dasher* Channeling Jim Keltner & Marco Giovino in creating a sonic pallet * Normalizing seeing women on stage * Knowing when to be flexible or firm when keeping time  ​Megan endorses Murat Diril cymbals & Vic Firth sticks ​

13 Jun 20191h 12min