Working Drummer

Drummer Jim White is an active performer and educator. His first musical experiences took place in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, where he studied percussion with Paul Yancinch, Mike Cebulski, Sonny Emory, and Jeff Sipe. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Jazz Studies/Composition from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas.  While a student at the University of North Texas, White performed with the renowned “One O’clock Lab Band” for three years. In 1992, Maynard Ferguson recruited White for his “Big Bop Nouveau” band with which he toured internationally. White is featured on Ferguson’s recording, Footpath Cafe. In 1995, White moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he remains active as a performer and studio musician. His versatility and unique sound have been r featured on many jazz, pop, and country recordings. White’s performance and recording credits feature a diverse array of artists including J.D. Souther, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Crystal Gayle, Jerry Douglas, Curtis Stigers, Charlie Peacock, Jack Pearson, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, and Willie Nelson. In addition, he has performed with many top jazz artists including Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford, Joey Defrancesco, Pat Bianchi, Greg Gisbert, Jim Ferguson, Chris Potter, Annie Sellick, the North German Radio (N.D.R.) Big Band, and many others.  As an educator, White has performed clinics at universities and jazz festivals throughout the country. In 2005, he joined the faculty at the University of Northern Colorado, where he currently serves as Professor of Music, Jazz Studies. He directs UNC’s Lab II Big Band, supervises the jazz combo program, teaches jazz history, as well as applied drum set students. He currently co-leads the Colorado Jazz Orchestra, a big band featuring many of the finest jazz musicians in the Northern Colorado area.  In this episode, Jim talks about: Bringing his personality and style to Nashville The importance of mentorship  Being diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and over coming it  How his fight with cancer changed his perspective on life Life experiences that inspires our music

24 Jun 20211h 19min

Once a year, we sit down with our buddy Nick Rufinni of Drummer’s Resource to shoot the shit. Each of our careers and podcasts are always on the move, heading in different directions with different challenges, and it’s good to unpack things and talk about what’s coming at us and how we’re moving through it. In this episode, Matt, Zack and Nick talk about * Social media strategies* Re-entering gig life* How remote recording does and does not deliver a fulfilling musical experience* Answering the question “why does this feel good?” when listening to other drummers* Recalibrating priorities and ambition as we come out of the pandemic This episode is sponsored by Sonitus. Keith Dudek Recovery Fund

17 Jun 20211h 34min

Originally from a small town in Long Island, New York, Jeff Fabb made the move to Los Angeles shortly after high school at the age of 18. Jeff moved to L.A. looking for more opportunities in music and that’s just what he found. The journey was slow, answering classified ads—everyone that placed ads said they were going to be the next big thing, but he just wanted to get out there and play. After a few years playing the L.A. club scene, Jeff came into contact with members of female-fronted metal/rock band – In This Moment, including guitarist Chris Howorth and former Five Finger Death Punch bassist Matt Snell, who had a project together. Around the end of 2011 and three records later, Jeff decided to move on from ITM. Other bands and artists he found himself working with include James Durban (American Idol), Sixx:A.M. (with Nikki Sixx) and Filter. Jeff is currently the drummer for Black Label Society. In this episode, Jeff talks about: * Overcoming physical issues* Questions by Nashville drummer Danny Douchette covering range of topics* Moving to L.A. at 18 and the things he learned* The events that lead to his gig with Black Label Society * Employable skills beyond your playing Jeff endorses Drums, Meinl, Vic Firth and Evans This episode is sponsored by Sonitus. Keith Dudek Recovery Fund

10 Jun 20211h 19min

A Grammy-nominated and studied musician of several decades, Dena’s versatility has afforded her opportunities to play in a variety of settings – from arenas to rock clubs and Broadway to recording studios. She has been highlighted in several drum publications, including the September 2018 issue of Modern Drummer Magazine. Dena has held the drum chair for several Broadway and Off-Broadway productions including Little Shop of Horrors, Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls, and Head Over Heels. In addition to her 20 years with Antigone Rising (Lava/Atlantic), she has performed with Rob Thomas, Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic, Talking Heads), The Go-Go’s, Anita Cochran and Williams Honor. Other past projects have included studio sessions with Lisa Loeb and Robert Randolph. In this episode, Dena talks about: * Developing a virtual clinic during the pandemic* The years she spent doing bus and van tours with Antigone Rising* The show that brought her to Broadway, and why her pedigree was the perfect fit for it* The increasing inclusivity in the Broadway community, especially among musicians* How rock touring skills translate to musical theatre* Her brief but meaningful brush with Leland Sklar Dena endorses Pearl Drums and hardware, Zildjian cymbals, Evans drumheads, Promark sticks, SKB cases, Big Fast Snare Drum, Sledgepad and Ultimate Ears.

3 Jun 20211h 11min

Mark Stepro is a Los Angeles-based musician originally from Galion, Ohio. He is currently performing and recording with singer-songwriter-producer Butch Walker (Dangerbird Records), with whom he has been working since 2011, as well as singer-songwriter Brett Dennen (Elektra Records). He recently recorded the upcoming album by the Wallflowers, “Exit Wounds,” their first release in ten years.  Since 2010, Stepro has performed and recorded with singer Mary McBride under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State as a Cultural Ambassador, presenting a program of American music overseas. The group has logged performances in twenty-three countries including Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia, appearing in schools, hospitals, prisons, women’s shelters, orphanages, and places of worship. He has also performed or recorded with Leon Bridges (including a European slot opening for The Rolling Stones), Panic! At The Disco, Gavin DeGraw, Jewel, Keith Urban, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, Jackson Browne, Shooter Jennings, Hayes Carll, Dan Wilson, Ben Kweller, Andrew McMahon, Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, The Old 97s, Courtney Love, Corb Lund Sara and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, Morgan Kibby of M83, Mike Viola, Joe Pug, Robert Ellis, Adam Levy, and Tim Easton. He also spent five wonderful years and a staggering number of liver and brain cells as the bass player for Brooklyn indie-roots favorites The Madison Square Gardeners, led by Aaron Lee Tasjan. He has studied with teachers Ed Soph, Steve Houghton and Glenn Kotche of Wilco. He has performed on every continent except Antarctica and has appeared multiple times on The Late Show With David Letterman, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Craig Ferguson, and Carson Daly, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and CBS This Morning In this episode Mark talks about:  * Teachable moments early in Mark’s life * From Ohio to New York to L.A.* Working with Butch Walker* Recording in 2021* Playing a last minute show on Conan O’Brien* To play or not to play to a click live* Engaging with your music community without relying solely on social media Keith Dudek Recovery Fund This episode is sponsored by Sonitus. Mark endorses: Zildjian, Ludwig, Remo and Vater

27 Mai 20212h 7min

Ross Pederson has been in New York for over a decade after going through the famed North Texas program and studying with Ed Soph. He tours and records with a number of notable New York based acts including Grace Kelly and Manhattan Transfer, and records, mixes, and produces at his home studio in Brooklyn. In this episode, Ross talks about: * Moving into a new house and starting a home studio from scratch* Being married to bassist Julia Adamy* His biggest takeaways from North Texas and Ed Soph* The musical families both he and Julia come from * Starting with Grace Kelly as a hired gun sub, and growing into a trusted collaborator Ross endorses Meinl Cymbals This episode is sponsored by Sonitus. Keith Dudek Recovery Fund Hxa6VowqKJwu4NstUlX8

20 Mai 20211h 7min

A professional musician since 1972, Doane Perry has been called one of the most prolific and versatile drummers in contemporary music. His career spans over 28 years with the internationally acclaimed progressive rock band Jethro Tull, incorporating 18 world tours, countless records, videos, and DVDs, and a Grammy. As a performer, composer or producer, he has appeared on more than 100 records to date, many of which have attained gold or multi-platinum status, and also on numerous #1 records in multiple genres. He has worked in the recording studios of New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, and London. And as an author, he has been a featured writer for musical magazines, anthologies, book publications, websites, CD liner notes, Jethro Tull concert programs.  He attended Browning, St. Bernard’s and Collegiate Schools in New York City. Later he briefly attended New York University and extension programs at The New School, Rutgers, and Juilliard, followed by extensive private musical study in jazz and orchestral percussion. The people with whom Perry has worked with during his career reads much like a who’s who across many genres of music. The short list would have to include Lou Reed, Bette Midler, Todd Rundgren, Pat Benatar, Martha and the Vandellas, Peter Cetera, Dweezil Zappa, Stan Getz, Kitaro, Dionne Warwick, Liza Minelli, Jeffrey Osbourne, and Magellan. In this episode (part 2), Doane talks about: * Meeting Al Jackson when he was very young (11)* How he spends his practice time * “Great chops is simply the articulation of your own ideas, clearly” * A useful definition of what good technique is and can be* Composing and orchestrating * The current state of his compositions Follow the link below if you are able to help out our friend drummer Keith Dudek. He is fighting to recover from Covid. There is a GoFund.Me page where you can help. Thanks – Matt https://www.gofundme.com/f/keith-dudek-recovery-fund?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer Doane endorses: Premier, DW, Paiste, Remo, Promark, Rhythm Tech, Sure, Kick Port & Stick Handler This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

13 Mai 20211h 26min

A professional musician since 1972, Doane Perry has been called one of the most prolific and versatile drummers in contemporary music. His career spans over 28 years with the internationally acclaimed progressive rock band Jethro Tull, incorporating 18 world tours, countless records, videos, and DVDs, and a Grammy. As a performer, composer or producer, he has appeared on more than 100 records to date, many of which have attained gold or multi-platinum status, and also on numerous #1 records in multiple genres. He has worked in the recording studios of New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, and London. And as an author, he has been a featured writer for musical magazines, anthologies, book publications, websites, CD liner notes, Jethro Tull concert programs.  He attended Browning, St. Bernard’s and Collegiate Schools in New York City. Later he briefly attended New York University and extension programs at The New School, Rutgers, and Juilliard, followed by extensive private musical study in jazz and orchestral percussion.  The people with whom Perry has worked with during his career reads much like a who’s who across many genres of music. The short list would have to include Lou Reed, Bette Midler, Todd Rundgren, Pat Benatar, Martha and the Vandellas, Peter Cetera, Dweezil Zappa, Stan Getz, Kitaro, Dionne Warwick, Liza Minelli, Jeffrey Osbourne, and Magellan. In this episode (part 1), Doane talks about: * Playing producer, engineer, and drummer in his home studio* Bringing your ideas to the session* His work with Jethro Tull* Working with Lou Reed Doane endorses: Premier, DW, Paiste, Remo, Promark, Rhythm Tech, Sure, Kick Port & Stick Handler This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

6 Mai 20211h 34min