Working Drummer

After spending the first part of his career in the New York-based jazz world, Corey Fonville has evolved into playing and producing more groove-based music. With his band Butcher Brown and most recently with Charlie Hunter and Kurt Elling on new album SuperBlue, Corey is exploring playing and tones that are firmly in the supporting role rather than the more explosive/interactive jazz role. Corey is the product of a couple of non-traditional educational environments; The New School in New York and the Dave Brubeck Institute in Stockton, CA, and his jazz resume includes Christian Scott, Nicholas Payton, Jacky Terrasson and many more. But he has found himself moving past that world in search of drumming and music that's more true to his musical identity and values. In this episode, Corey talks about: How the SuperBlue project came about, and how Charlie and Kurt turned to him to help shape it Being a bridge between Kurt's energy and Charlie's energy Being influenced by Kareem Riggins, Kendrick Scott, Obed Calvaire, and other New York jazz drummers How sounding like other drummers is a step in the journey to sounding like you Ways he's thinking about combining his new musical identity with the jazz world he used to inhabit, and approaching jazz with a production mindset How turning something down or moving away from a certain music requires self-acceptance

14 Apr 20221h 7min

Originally from Syracuse, New York, Nate Felty is an experienced live/session drummer and educator who enjoys performing a wide range of musical styles. Nate has been living and working in Nashville, Tennessee since 2012 and earned his Masters in Commercial Music at Belmont University in 2014. Nate is the drummer for Nashville-based, nationally touring country/roots artist, Kelsey Waldon. With Waldon, he has shared the stage on tour with Grammy Award-winning artists such as Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, and John Prine. Since his arrival in Nashville, Nate has performed and recorded with notable touring bands from Nashville. Among these are The Amanda Broadway Band, Abby Anderson, Devon Gilfillian, Dan Smalley, Marquee Mayfield, and a 9-piece funk/fusion group Dynamo. While with Dynamo, the group earned Nashville Industry Music Awards (NIMA's) in 2015 for "Best Funk/Fusion Band" and "Album of the Year" for their 2015 release, Find Your Way. When not on tour, Nate is an adjunct professor of drum set at Sewanee University of the South. Nate continues to make his imprint on Nashville's local music community, performing with notable musicians such Roy Agee (Prince), Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), Micah Hulscher (Margo Price), Jay White (Amos Lee, Cory Henry), Mike Hicks (Rascal Flatts), David Rodgers (Keb Mo), De Marco Johnson (Marc Broussard) and Paul Horton (Alabama Shakes). In this episode, Nate talks about:    Being yourself on the session or gig while paying reverence to the genre/style    His early influence and exposure to jazz    Following his “North Star” and seeking out new music and experiences     Playing in the house band for “The Pitch Meeting”    Understanding musical references when creating parts    His award winning band Dynamo    Teaching and learning    Recovering after snapping a tendon in his left hand

7 Apr 20221h 34min

Jordan Perlson has spanned about as wide a stylistic reach as one can imagine. Be it with jazz legends Seamus Blake and Gary Burton, folk heroes Alison Brown and Missy Raines, reggae giants Matisyahu and Trevor Hall, cutting edge music innovators like Becca Stevens, Snarky Puppy, and Jeff Coffin, progressive innovators Adrian Belew or Kaki King, or fusion megastar Hiromi, Jordan has become a known force in these many circles. With credits on 100+ recordings, including national and international ad campaigns, Jordan is as at home in the studio as he is on stage. Having taught at prestigious institutions such as Berklee College of Music, New York University and masterclasses all over the world, Jordan is a passionate educator. An author of 2 books for Mel Bay publishing, Jordan’s books have been translated into several languages and are used the world round by teachers and students of many levels. In this episode, Jordan talks about: Why he moved to Nashville after 12 years in New York Curating musical situations that line up with momentum in a direction, even if the end goal is abstract Being more intentional about not just what he says yes to, but why he says yes How New York shaped his personality, and how that shapes his musical identity Trusting that his instincts and intentions will make good music, even if the execution isn't quite perfect His "asynchronous" drum coaching approach to private teaching

31 Mar 20221h 10min

At age sixteen, Michael Bland won the "twin cities' best drummer" contest and was the beginning of a rewarding career. With his recognition as a prodigy, Michael was actively sought by many local acts. At seventeen, Hiram Bullock snagged him up, and took him to Pittsburgh and New York to do some one-nighters. That same year, he joined Dr. Mambo's Combo, a house band at Bunker's Music Bar and Grill, a local club where many Minneapolis musicians cut their teeth. Bunker's is where Prince first spotted Michael, Michael joined prince in 1989 and he toured, recorded, and performed with the new power generation for the next seven years. In 1996, immediately after his tenure with Prince, Michael went on tour with Paul Westerberg, which led to tours and recordings with other national acts, such as Chaka Khan, Maxwell, Dionne Farris, George Benson, Phil Upchurch, Howard Hewitt, and many others. Since 2005, Michael has been a member of the band Soul Asylum. In this episode, Michael talks about:    The demands of working for Prince    How he got the gig with Prince     The podcast, MUSIPOLITIX he ran during the pandemic    Drumming for Soul Asylum    The power of mentorship    Stories of working for Chaka Khann, Madonna

24 Mar 20221h 46min

Over the last decade plus, Quinton "Q" Robinson developed a busy and sustainable career drumming with Gospel and R&B acts such as Avery Sunshine, Peebo Bryson, and Anthony David, and recording in his home studio. But he got interested in musical theatre and started spending time in New York meeting Broadway drummers, musical directors, and contractors, and playing readings and off-Broadway productions. He also got in with the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta played a litany of shows there. That legwork has culminated in Q landing the drum chair for the touring production of "Ain't Too Proud," the Tony-winning Temptations musical. In this episode, Q talks about: The process of getting on the radar of decision makers in the musical theatre world His experience at The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta How he got on Clayton Craddock's radar, and how Clayton came to recommend him for "Ain't Too Proud" The intricacies of the show The qualities required of a musical theatre drummer His goals for the new studio he's about to build

17 Mar 20221h 16min

Clifford Koufman is a Nashville-based, award-winning drummer who founded Sound & Rhythm Drumming School in 2000. With over 20 years of experience, Clifford carries a world of experience to every scenario, whether creating music, performing or teaching. He's honored to be the recipient of multiple grants, the Thrive award to build community through community drumming classes, performances, and drum circles, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council professional development grant to study music in Guinea, West Africa. He's toured internationally, throughout the US, and in Alaska. Clifford has spent time living and learning from master musicians in Ghana and then Guinea, West Africa, and has performed, taught, and worked with thousands of people as well as working with numerous bands, songwriters, and composers throughout the United States. In an effort to share in his musical experience, inspiration and to connect with creative people through conversation, he began "Clif Chats" where he's has conducted over sixty interviews of creative people at the top of their fields. Clifford teaches people in Nashville as well as traveling to schools, colleges, and universities as well as teaches internationally online. He creates play-along tracks for drum circle facilitators as well as making music for licensing. Clifford embraces the spirit of collaboration in Nashville, performing and recording and writing, collaborating with songwriters, bands and composers. He is continually experimenting with a hybrid drum set, incorporating percussion and drum set elements with various hand drums. He facilitates leadership development events using the drum circle as the vehicle. Clifford continues to teach students all over the world and is excited to collaborate with songwriters, bands, and composers. He continues Clif Chats and is always looking to geek out about people living creatively, drums, art, and music. In this episode, Clifford talks about:       His journey into hand drumming    Studying and adventures in Ghana and Guinea, West Africa    Completing the cycle of music through sharing    Building a teaching practice    Clifford’s interview series: Cliff Chats

10 Mar 20221h 26min

Blair has been an LA staple for over two decades, having recorded and/or toured with Alanis Morissette, Chris Cornell, Gwen Stefani, Brandi Carlisle, Melissa Etheridge, and many others. Blair has a couple of new calling cards, one of them is his podcast Recording Drums, he’s getting ready to get season 2 of that going. And the other is his suite of online courses, Introduction to Recording, The Snare Sound Bible, and Improve Your Groove. For the month of March, Blair is offering a 15% discount on these courses to drum click listeners, check ‘em out at blairsinta.com and use the promo code BFSDSDB at checkout. In this episode, Blair talks about: Tracks that require a set of drum sounds and parts vs. tracks that require a drum performance What led him to create his online course Focusing on a narrow or specialized set of goals/skills in the studio vs. taking on the challenge of going after any sound His six week zoom course What "listening with your eyes" means Phone audio considerations His time with Alanis Morissette Trying to be what you think a band wants vs. representing yourself accurately

3 Mar 20221h 5min

Noah Levy is an in demand drummer that lives in the Minneapolis / St Paul area of Minnesota. He has toured and recorded with a long list of international artists including Five For Fighting, The Honeydogs, Peter Frampton, Nelson, The Bodeans, and Golden Smog. Noah spends a lot of time as a session player working in studios around town as well as his own home studio. He currently plays with Brian Setzer in his Rockabilly Riot, and Orchestra. In this episode, Noah talks about:    Building his home studio    Self discovery    Time management in the home studio    The power of 2 and 4    The talent in Minneapolis / St Paul    Working with Brian Setzer    Studio etiquette

24 Feb 20221h 12min