Episodes
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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 -
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 -
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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 -
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. -
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 -
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.
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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 -
Dave has been teaching privately for over 20 years and has developed a reputation as the technique/body mechanic specialist for drum set. He has helped many of the world's best players as well as top educators "get out of their own way" by being as efficient as possible in regards to conservation of motion and energy.
He has toured and/or recorded with Weezer, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, The Mars Volta, and many others.
The importance and benefits of a full-body warm-up
How to literally cool down after playing
What “mobility” means from a fitness and drumming perspective
Why compartmentalization is usually bad thing, in fitness and music
The importance of strength training in addition to body work
Creative development alongside physical development
His take on the role of rudiments in modern drumming -
Emmanuel “E-MAN” Cervantes is a Los Angeles based drummer who discovered his calling when he first picked up a pair of drumsticks at age three and later booked his first major studio session at the age of 12.
E-MAN is currently touring with pop singer Andy Grammer. He has had the privilege to work with a wide range of artists such as Gwen Stefani, Lukas Nelson, Cody Simpson, Cameron Rafati, Elan, Son of Levi, Tyrone Wells and many more. EMAN played on a record with Joseph Williams, who is the singer of Toto, who enlisted some of his band mates to also play on that record like Steve Lukather. He’s made multiple appearances on TV shows that include SNL, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres Show, David Letterman and Americas Got Talent.
In this episode, Emmanuel “E-MAN” Cervantes talks about:
Inspiring the next generation to find their own voice
Lessons learned through home recording
What he’s learned from his brother the engineer
Working with pop singer Andy Grammar
Bringing your best self to every gig/rehearsal
Creating opportunities for yourself
Creating a loop package “Drum Away Loops”
Being at peace with what the future holds -
How he got into the booking game through the USC music school as a freshman
Struggling with the decision to ramp down performing/touring and ramp up booking
Seeing the opportunity to improve stability in live music
Bridging the gaps and establishing trust between musicians and the people who hire them
How to make the most out of a $50 gig offer, no matter where you are in your career
Making your interactions about the relationship first and the gig second
Studying with Ndugu Chancler Michael Carvin, and Terri Lynn Carrington -
Matt Iceman is currently the touring drummer and band leader with Grammy nominated country artist David Nail. He has toured/performed/recorded in the past with artists such as Eric Paslay, Francesca Battistelli, Shelly Fairchild, Lizzy McAvoy, Timothy Paul, T.J. Hitt and Tom Schreck, and bands such as BlackJack Billy, Spyderwulf, The Chris Weaver Band, and Liquid Earth.
In this episode, Matt talks about:
What he’s been up to since we last spoke in 2015
New responsibilities as band leader for his gig with David Nail
Building a clientele for home studio recording
Home recording techniques
Hanging out with Shannon Forrest and lessons learned
Seeking out lessons and new ways to grow -
Davide DiRenzo is one of the most versatile and in-demand drummers in Canada, with an equally strong profile in the jazz, rock, pop and R&B scenes coast-to-coast and beyond. With years of studio experience under his belt working with some of the world’s top artists, Davide is now also working as a producer out of his home studio (Studio 86) in Toronto, Ontario. From there, he also records and sends drum tracks to artists and producers all over the globe.
Davide has performed and recorded extensively around the world with a wide range of artists including two time Grammy award-winning Cassandra Wilson. Other acts he’s performed and recorded with include Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Holly Cole, Feist, Kevin Breit, and just recently recorded and co-wrote three songs on Molly Johnson’s new album, “Meaning To Tell You” where he had the pleasure of working with multi grammy award-winning and internationally celebrated producer/musician, Larry Klein.
He has won six Juno awards to date, including two in 2007: one as a member of jackSoul (Best R&B Recording) and one as a band member with Tomi Swick (Best New Artist). He also received a National Jazz Award nomination the same year for Jazz Drummer of the Year.
In this episode, Davide talks about:
How he creates dialogue with audio engineers
Deciding how many options to provide in terms of mics/tracks
How in-ears have affected how we experience our own playing
Finding the volume where your drums and cymbals start sounding bad
Working with producer Larry Klein on Molly Johnson’s record I Been Meanin’ to Tell Ya
Submitting to the collaborative process and letting go of some control
Collaborative producers vs. impresario producers -
Brian Doherty is best known as a drummer for groups like They Might Be Giants, RCA Recording artists, The Silos, XTC, Freedy Johnston, and Ben Folds
In the early 90s, Brian was recruited by They Might Be Giants. For three years Brian and TMBG recorded albums, wrote songs, and relentlessly toured the world.
In 2001, Brian went back to graduate school and became a New York City school teacher as part of the New York City Teaching Fellows program. As well as teaching, he remains professionally active as a drummer recording in the studio and performing on a variety of gigs that includes Broadway shows. On Broadway, Brian has performed in productions of RENT, Hairspray, The Times They Are A Changin’, Waitress and Little Shop of Horrors.
In this episode, Brian talks about:
Growing up close to NYC and it’s musical influence
Early professional experiences
Pre-social media “networking” that still works
One gig leading to another, leading to another and so on
Cymbal hacks for the studio
Touring and recording with They Might Be Giants
Transitioning to public school teaching and drumming on Broadway in New York -
In this episode, Ulysses talks about:
Relocating back to his homestate of Florida after 20 years in New York
How he moved from his gospel roots to jazz as a teenager, and the commonalities and differences between the two
His Drumeo video playing Nirvana's "In Bloom"
His jazz drumming video on Drumeo unpacking the nuts and bolts of jazz drumming
The various misrepresentations of jazz drumming
His philosophy for learning jazz drumming, and why he believes it's best to start at the beginning of its history and move forward in time
The most essential skill in jazz drumming - "making the ride cymbal dance"
Subtlety and stealth in big band drumming
Representation in drum media -
In 2013, Dan Shinder started Drum Talk TV, an online experience that has brought drummers, musicians, and music lovers together.
Drum Talk TV is an online show showcasing insightful interviews in the world of drumming. These unique interviews from all over the drumming world feature all genres and cultures. They talk with live and session masters, legends, educators, hidden gems, prodigies, drum heroes, fitness experts, techs, producers, manufacturers, and more. Drum Talk TV also provides a series called "Perspectives" where they talk with other musicians ABOUT the drummers they work with.
In this episode, Dan talks about:
The challenges of content creating
Building a support team
The origins of Drum Talk TV
"Hidden Gems” - Showcasing relatively unknown players
Dan’s interview style
Producing documentaries
Upcoming “Brilliance” platform -
Davide DiRenzo is one of the most versatile and in-demand drummers in Canada, with an equally strong profile in the jazz, rock, pop and R&B scenes coast-to-coast and beyond. With years of studio experience under his belt working with some of the world’s top artists, Davide is now also working as a producer out of his home studio (Studio 86) in Toronto, Ontario. From there, he also records and sends drum tracks to artists and producers all over the globe.
Davide has performed and recorded extensively around the world with a wide range of artists including two time Grammy award-winning Cassandra Wilson. Other acts he’s performed and recorded with include Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Holly Cole, Feist, Kevin Breit, and just recently recorded and co-wrote three songs on Molly Johnson’s new album, “Meaning To Tell You” where he had the pleasure of working with multi grammy award-winning and internationally celebrated producer/musician, Larry Klein.
He has won six Juno awards to date, including two in 2007: one as a member of jackSoul (Best R&B Recording) and one as a band member with Tomi Swick (Best New Artist). He also received a National Jazz Award nomination the same year for Jazz Drummer of the Year.
In this episode, Davide talks about:
Making professional and personal choices based on knowing “where you’re at”
Thinking of time as your most precious resource
Why he has opted out of social media since its inception
Being present in relationships and in music, and how they’re the same
Reconnecting with Toronto music and musicians, especially the club/bar scene
Making yourself available to connect with audience members -
Ra Kalam Bob Moses spent his youth growing up in New York City and living in the same building as Art Blakey, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, Elvin Jones, Rahsaan Roland Kirk. This early experience had a profound effect on this young musician. Ra Kalam would go on to work with jazz luminaries such as Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow, Jack DeJohnette, Tisziji Muñoz and many others.
He was also a member of the group The Free Spirits in the 1960’s, considered one of the first Jazz rock bands ever.
Many were introduced to Ra Kalam’s drumming by way of Pat Metheny‘s very first solo record Bright Size Life in 1976 with Jaco Pastorius on bass.
Ra Kalam is also a composer and leader on many recorded projects, going back decades.
In this episode, Ra Kalam talks about:
His thoughts on the documentary being made about him
Growing up in the same building as Art Blakey, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, Elvin Jones, Rahsaan Roland Kirk in New York
Getting beyond your tendencies and patterns
His relationship with teacher and musical collaborator, Tisziji Muñoz
The origin of his name “Ra Kalam”
Reconciling his own legacy
Upcoming recordings -
Terence F. Clark is a Memphis based drummer, producer, composer, artist and overall creative. He has played with a huge variety of artists from different regions and genres, Keith Urban being the most recent. Known for his impeccable and soulful performances, professionalism and discipline of craft, Terence has traveled the world building relationships with and through music. As Terence finds inspiration in his travels and engaging other cultures, he always lends inspiration with his unique brand of performance, solid groove, creativity, musical knowledge and excellence. It's always been more than “just about the music”, for Terence; it's about serving the artist, creating the very best and discovering a community of artists with which to learn from and create with along the way.
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Originally from a small town in Kentucky, Caleb Crosby moved to Nashville to study music at the Belmont University. In a short amount of time, Caleb met a young Tyler Bryant, and they form what’s now known as Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown. The group has released an impressive one body of work since they began recording around 2011. There’re touring credits include opening and being direct support for groups like AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Jeff, Beck, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Caleb splits his time between the band, their new record label, freelance drumming and raising a young family.
Just recently, Caleb was the drummer with Dolly Parton during her halftime show at a Dallas NFL game.
In this episode, Caleb talks about
Capturing the moment in the studio
The power of positive energy
Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown
Being in a band and freelancing
Playing with Dolly Parton
Building a record label
Creating parts in the studio
Family -
Adam Deitch is the centerpiece of the instrumental funk juggernaut Lettuce, and is also a beatmaker, producer, and sideman for a wide range of projects. On the heels of Lettuce’s latest release entitled Unify from 2022, Adam is out with “Roll The Tape” a new record featuring his own quartet and special guest John Scofield. He also operates the Deitch Academy, an online drumming course.
In this episode, Adam talks about:
His new quartet record and the soul jazz icons it harkens back to
The value of using professionals to record, mix, and master, as opposed to DIY
Including solo drumming and brushwork on the record
The influence and mentorship of John Scofield
How IEMs have made for a more connected and intimate live experience
Why he calls Denver home, and a snapshot of the scene there - Show more