026 – Trey Gray: Drumming for Faith Hill, Jewel, Brooks and Dunn, Pro Gigs and Huntington’s Disease

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

20 Okt 20221h 3min

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

13 Okt 20221h 14min

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

6 Okt 20221h 41min

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

29 Sep 20221h 16min

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

22 Sep 20221h 46min

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

15 Sep 20221h 29min

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

8 Sep 20221h 20min

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

1 Sep 20221h 27min