114 – Angela Lese: Drumming for The Dead Deads, Cultivating a Strong Fan Base, From “Regular Job” to Touring Musician

Todd Sucherman is one of the most in-demand drummers on the planet. In addition to a 20+ year tenure with the legendary rock band Styx, Sucherman is a leading clinician and session artist. In 2018, the readers of Modern Drummer magazine named him “#1 Progressive Rock Drummer” plus”#1 Recorded Performance” for “The Mission” (Styx). His Methods and Mechanics instructional DVD series has won multiple awards. Read more about Todd here. In this episode, Todd talks about: * The importance of a relaxed grip* His set up and the logic behind it* Application of complex ideas on the gig* His time studying with Gary Chaffee* Being an ambassador for education* His experiences with Styx* Recording process with the 2017 Styx record, The Mission Todd Endorses: Pearl Drums, Promark Sticks, Sabian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Carmichael Thrones and Audio Mics

22 Aug 20191h 35min

Larry Wilson grew up in Jacksonville, FL and studied music at Florida State in Tallahassee with Leon Anderson. He moved his young family to Atlanta in the fall of 2017 and has gotten busy with a variety of Gospel, R&B, and jazz artists, as well as hosting what has quickly become one of the city’s most popular weekly jam sessions. He has recently released a jazz album called Our Thing, a tribute to the music of saxophonist Joe Henderson. He also hosts a monthly live stream called “Jazz for Lunch” on Instagram and Facebook. In this episode, Larry talks about * The weekly jam at Ten ATL and how he became its de facto host* His experience at Florida State and its growing reputation* The concept of apprenticeship in music* Having his sites set on New York, but deciding against it in favor of Atlanta* Constantly tweaking his set up to play games with himself and explore* Blending the physicality of gospel drumming with the phrasing and nuance of jazz and classical music* Getting in on the beginning of what he feels is a boom in Atlanta

15 Aug 20191h 10min

Jim Rupp has done extensive touring with the bands of Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, and Glenn Miller. Jim spent close to ten years with Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Diane Schuur, and has also performed and toured with artists such as Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Joe Lavano, Hank Marr, Buddy DeFranco, Maria Schneider, Clark Terry, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, John Fedchock, Natalie Cole, the Cleveland and Columbus Jazz Orchestras, and the Smithsonian Masterworks Jazz Orchestra. These touring credits, plus his educational background, have prepared him well for clinics and performances at colleges and high schools around the country. He has given workshops at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference. In this capacity he is a clinician for Noble and Cooley drums, Zildjian cymbals, Pro Mark drumsticks, and Remo drumheads.  As a teacher, Jim has taught at Indiana University and the University of Michigan, as well as his current appointment at The Ohio State University. He is also the co-author of an acclaimed drum set method book, “Baby Steps to Giant Steps”. Jim is currently First Vice President of the Percussive Arts Society and is a past chair of the drum set committee for the PAS. He was also a board member of NAMM, the International Music Products Association.  He also founded, and is president of Columbus Pro Percussion Inc, one of the countries largest and most respected percussion specialty stores. In this episode, Jim talks about: * His teaching approach * Working with the Woody Herman Orchestra * The mental aspects of performing* Teaching in the information age * The challenges of getting backline for jazz gigs* The history of Columbus Pro Percussion

8 Aug 20191h 11min

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 Juli 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 Juli 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 Juli 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 Juli 201938min