175 – Will Groth: Playing in Electric Avenue, Making Atlanta Home, Physical Sustainability

Steve Picataggio has lived in New York for over a decade and has stayed busy on the jazz and musical theatre scenes there. He has toured with The Hot Sardines, The Four Phantoms, and others, and is active on the New York jazz scene playing everything from trio to big band. He is a graduate of University of North Florida where he studied with Danny Gottleib and Ulysses Owens Jr., and NYU where he studied with Billy Drummond. He is also active as an educator, with students from age 4 to adult as well as at the collegiate level. In this episode, Steve talks about: His fully remote college gig Touring with The Four Phantoms Why he loves rehearsing The mentorship and influence of Matt Wilson and Bill Drummond How cutthroat attitudes are mostly gone His love of accompanying singers

18 Apr 20241h 26min

Yamil Conga is a percussionist and drummer with over 20 years of experience playing a vast array of musical genres in live venues, music videos and in the studio. A native of Puerto Rico and a current resident of Nashville, Yamil has benefitted from a vast array of musical influences. Salsa runs in Yamil’s blood due to his father, singer songwriter, Eladio Jimenez, who wrote and produced for several Latin giants. Knowing that music has no boundaries, Yamil’s mission is to make people fall in love with the art of live performance and foster a new generation of percussionists. Yamil tours nationally and internationally bringing educational lectures on the conga drum and salsa music. He is currently the percussionist and DJ for Country artist Frank Ray. Yamil rounds out his calendar performing with corporate bands as well as performing as a soloist as a drumming DJ.   In this episode, Yamil talks about:    Diversifying your "portfolio”    Being proactive with your daily activities    The evolution of the drumming/DJ thing    Playing with artist Frank Ray    Lecturing on the origin of the conga in American music    The influence of his father’s legacy    Percussion advice for drum set players

11 Apr 20241h 33min

Tom Jorgensen is an active and highly-requested drummer, session musician, composer, and mixing engineer based in New York City, currently on the first national tour of the Beetlejuice Broadway musical. Tom is a graduate with a BFA from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC, where he studied with jazz legends such as Reggie Workman, Charli Persip, and privately with Master Drummer Michael Carvin, with whom a mentorship continues to this day. Tom frequently performs with the internet sensation Post Modern Jukebox, having toured with the group extensively in the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. His career has also taken him abroad throughout Europe, South America, French Polynesia, and the Caribbean while acting as Music Director onboard Holland America Cruise Line. In this episode, Tom talks about: The broad range of genres and drumming styles in the “Beetlejuice” show Auditioning for a Broadway tour vs. being offered the gig outright The “authenticity meter” in relationship building What it means to have a sound-oriented approach His experience studying with Michael Carvin at The New School in New York What good relationships look like - if one person wins, we all win “Go, do, be, have” in that order

4 Apr 20241h 12min

Matt Muckle is a Pittsburgh based drummer who has worked with and toured with acts such as Paul Gilbert, Lynch Mob, Buckcherry, John Waite and many others. He is currently recording with and preparing to tour with the band Kingdom Come. This legendary rock band formed in the late 80’s and with Matt as their new drummer, continues to entertain their committed and string fan base.  In this episode, Matt talks about:    Who inspired him to pursue a career in music    Working and recording with Kingdom Come    Shedding negative energy from your life    His experience in Los Angeles    Teaching and producing in a mentorship style    Finding your own voice    Being proactive for your career

28 Mar 20241h 2min

In this episode, Iajhi and Brevan talk about: Their parent's musical legacy Growing up in the Triangle area in North Carolina, and the music scene there Attending North Carolina Central University, an HBCU and the only college in the state that offered a jazz degree at the time The ill-fated gig that brought Iajhi to LA Brevan's experience with being diagnosed as neurodivergent, and how that has changed how he approaches life and music Creating structure for yourself to avoid getting "emotionally disregulated" Iajhi's long-standing jam session at The Federal in North Hollywood, and the art and science of curating a good jam.

21 Mar 20241h 42min

Hailing the small south Texas town of Poth, Miles was destined to drum. His mama felt him moving to the music before he was even born. At three years old he sat behind his first drum kit, and by age 5 he was banging out some version of "Under The Bridge" by TheRed Hot Chili Peppers. In junior high he joined the school band and began to study percussion formally. From marching band to snare drum solos, Miles took any and every drumming opportunity. He turned that into an affinity for marching, and a gold metal for every snare drum solo he ever played while in school, from a Junior High level solo all the way to "Africa Hot" by John Wooton. Along with other members of the high school drumline, this quickly let to garage bands. I was clear that drumming and taken a strong hold on Miles. After high school, he headed for College Station and Texas A&M University, and he certainly didn't leave his drums behind. While earning a BS in Horticulture, Miles spent time playing in around Texas and surrounding states with a few bands. During that time he made friends with Cody Johnson. Fast forward a few years, Cody asked Miles to come on the road with him as his permanent drummer, which he has been for at least 10 years now. When he isn't out on the road with the Cody and The Rockin' CJB, Miles enjoys spending time with his wife Samantha, their son Noah & their daughter Riley, watching football, woodworking, hunting and fishing. In this episode, Miles talks about:    Playing a sold out show at Bridgestone arena in Nashville    Balancing life at home and life on the road    Key components to getting the big gigs    Establishing trust with the artist/band/singer    Drumming for Cody Johnson    Recording for Cody in Nashville studios    Bringing your live energy to a recording session

14 Mar 20241h 25min

Since 2021, Obed Calvaire has been in the drum chair for Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, with whom he recently curated and directed a series of concerts celebrating the centennial of the great Max Roach. His New York jazz career spans over two decades and includes jazz legends such as Dave Holland, Kurt Rosenwinkle, The Mingus Big Band, Joshua Redman and many others. His new album, “150 Million Gold Francs” will be released April 12th and draws heavily on his Haitian heritage.

7 Mar 20241h 5min

Richard Martinez grew up in Los Angeles, CA and has performed around the world. He has studied privately with Chuck Flores, Larry Troxel, and for 12 years with Richard Wilson. Richard’s television credits include The Dolly Parton Show, Baywatch Nights, The Joan Rivers Show, and Seinfeld. He has performed with Sam Harris, Keb’ Mo, Allen Frew and with Tony Award winners Linda Hopkins, Betty Buckley, Bebe Neuwirth & Roger Rees. He has recorded with Julian Lennon, Mighty Mo Rodgers, Christoph Bull and with Grammy Award winners Dan Hill, John Jones, and Rick Nowels. He has also written four articles for Modern Drummer’s Strictly Technique section. In this episode, Richard talks about:    Working with a conductor    Opportunities for performance in the non-profit world    Adapting to the ever changing L.A. scene    How Richard Wilson changed his life    The Wilson/Spivack method    The practice pad: a rarified environment https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHg598jGIStR8y5gDV_w4ZQ

29 Feb 20241h 32min