Broadway Bound and Beyond

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PODCAST - Jon Berger Apr 09, 2022

Show notes

A musical linguist.

Jon Berger has performed with Aretha Franklin, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Crystals, Shields and Yarnell, Jerry Vale, The Ocean City Pops, Garden State Philharmonic, Harrisburg Symphony, The Washington Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Company, The NY Tenors, Lee Marvin, Dan Willis, Bob Rodreguez, Arthur Lipner, Todd Urban, The Mandala Jazz Octet with John Medeski, Folk Rock with Michelle Shocked, The Washington Squares, World Music Fusion with The Peter Lewis Band featuring Hiram Bullock and Mathew Garrison, just to name a few!

On Broadway, he’s worked on Addams Family, Next to Normal, In The Heights, Jersey Boys, Tale of 2 Cities, Les Mis, Pirate Queen, The Color Purple, The Grinch, Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, Imaginary Friends, Chefs Theater, Flower Drum Song Starring Lea Salonga, Suessical Starring Rossie O'Donnell, Cats, Saturday Night Fever, Hello Dolly Starring Bette Midler, My Fair Lady, Summer (The Donna Summer Musical).

Off-Broadway - Jersey Boys, Zanna Don't, Feeling Electric Starring Anthony Rapp, Promenade, Nunsense, Broadway Rox, Neil Berg's 100 years of Broadway and 50 Years of Rock.

Jon endorses Paiste Cymbals, Drum Workshop, Vater, Drum Tacs, and Etymotic Research In-Ear Monitors.

https://www.jonbergerdrums.com

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PODCAST - Michael Keller Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

Born and raised in Queens, NY, Michael is a graduate of the prestigious Archbishop Molloy High School and the renowned music conservatory.

The Manhattan School of Music. Upon graduation from The Manhattan School in 1971, he pursued a career as a professional performing musician spanning the next 35 years. While still in Manhattan, Michael started his professional playing career by being a frequent substitute drummer/percussionist at the long-running off-Broadway production of Jacques Brel Is Alive & Well & Living in Paris.

Besides touring in the early 70s with Broadway National tours of Promises, Promises, Applause, and The Magic Show, Michael was also in bands backing Sally Kellerman, Dionne Warwick, The 5th Dimension, and Jane Olivor. Being hired as the original drummer for They’re Playing Our Song on Broadway led to the beginning of his long and rewarding working & personal relationship with Marvin Hamlisch.

With Marvin’s complete & trusting support, Michael embarked on a second related career as a Music Coordinator beginning in 1992. In 1993 he was Music Coordinator and drummer for Marvin’s The Goodbye Girl. From 1990 until 2005, Michael was conductor and drummer for all of Marvin’s concert appearances.

In addition to contracting many films and TV score recordings of Marvin’s music, Michael was given his greatest opportunity when Marvin entrusted him to hire and coordinate the 63-piece orchestra for the Barbra Streisand concert tour in 1994. Michael repeated that effort several times over the next 15-20 years.

Upon closing the Broadway production of Imaginary Friends featuring Marvin’s music, Michael chose to put away his drumsticks and concentrate solely on his burgeoning career as a Music Coordinator.

Among over a hundred Broadway productions coordinated by Michael since 1993 are Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, The Book of Mormon, Wicked, and The Lion King.

Michael’s life is complete with his wife of 40 years, Actress/Dancer/Choreographer Pamela Sousa, son Zachary, daughter Alexis, daughter-in-law Christin, and grandson Gavin Michael.

For more: https://www.m2music.nyc/about-us

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PODCAST - Adam Wolfe Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

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Based in NYC since 2011, Adam came to New York by way of Houston, TX where he completed his Master's Degree at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music (2008). Adam grew up in Northeast Ohio where he attended Cleveland State University (2006). Formally studying classical percussion throughout his education, Adam also actively performed as a freelancer on drum set. His classical background combined with his drum set skills gave him a unique set of skills that turned out to be very well-suited for working in musical theater. After playing its out-of-town tryout at Houston’s Alley Theatre, Adam was offered the drum set chair on Frank Wildhorn’s WONDERLAND when it transferred to Broadway (Spring 2011).

With his foot in the door from his first Broadway show, Adam set about the work of subbing and building a reputation in and around the city. Subbing on shows as diverse as RENT, EVITA, MATILDA the Musical, AVE Q, CATS, HELLO DOLLY, ANASTASIA, THE PROM, and many more, Adam routinely demonstrates a wide-ranging versatility. A unique hybrid player, Adam is equally at home playing drum set and percussion and excels in situations that demand both contemporary drum set styles and legit classical/orchestral sensibilities. Adam’s most recent NYC chairs include 2017’s BANDSTAND on Broadway (TONY Nomination for Best Orchestrations and TONY WINNER for Best Choreography), Jerry Springer the Opera, and CLUELESS the Musical.

When not in the theater, Adam is often found in NYC recording studios playing for singer/songwriters and composers like Desi Oakley, The Jack Mosbacher Band, Michael Mott, and David Mallamud, playing at cabaret spots like Feinstein’s 54 Below, and downtown concert venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, Piano's, or The Bitter End. Adam also maintains an active teaching practice at his studio in Midtown Manhattan and produces music and drum tracks from his at-home project studio. Connect with Adam on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram or use the contact form for bookings and any other inquiries.

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Broadway Drumming 101 is your one-stop shop for everything you'll need to know about playing drums for broadway musicals. When you subscribe to The Broadway 101 Newsletter, you'll learn about what it takes to be a successful pit musician with content delivered directly to your email inbox two to three times a week.

For $5 a month, or $50 a year, you'll have a backstage pass to the world of a broadway drummer playing on a hit show. As a paying subscriber, you will receive behind-the-scenes access to the life of a musician who makes a living on Broadway. You'll also be able to read every post (not just the occasional free ones), you'll get access to all newsletter issues in the archives, and have the ability to participate in subscriber-only comments and events.

The Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The podcast features conversations with my colleagues who currently hold drums chairs showcases talks with broadway drumming legends, and highlights up-and-coming drummers breaking into the scene.

There is a lot to learn. Subscribe now, so you don't miss out on the latest posts and podcasts!

The Broadway Drumming 101 Instagram page: Instagram

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For more about Clayton, click HERE

Get full access to Broadway Bound and Beyond at www.broadwayboundandbeyond.com/subscribe

PODCAST - Mariana Ramirez Mar 18, 2022

Show notes

Broadway Drumming 101 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Mariana is an NYC-based freelance percussionist who began her music studies at the National Conservatory of Mexico in Mexico City. She received her Bachelors of Music in Percussion at Rutgers University.

Mariana Ramirez broke historic ground in 2018, becoming the first female Mexican percussionist to perform on a Broadway show while subbing on Once On This Island. It led to sub on two more Broadway shows: Head Over Heels and Ain’t Too Proud, The Life and Times of the Temptations. Currently, she is one of just two female Mexican drummer/percussionists performing on Broadway. Off-Broadway shows include subbing Merrily We Roll Along and Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, among many others.

With that solid foundation, Mariana went on tour with the drums/percussion chair of Once on This Island Broadway National Tour.

In addition to Broadway, she has performed in Europe, Asia, and Mexico, playing with Mexican Traditional Music bands, Symphonic Ensembles, Chamber Orchestras, and Pop Bands.

Mariana has also performed on TV shows, including the Steven Colbert Late Night Show, and TV series such as Mozart in the Jungle NBC Universal Upfronts at Radio City Music Hall.

Mariana also founded Percussion Quartet Excelsis, praised as “one of the most innovative and exciting percussion ensembles to emerge in the golden age of chamber music that we are presently in” by Jonathan Hass head of the New York University Percussion Department. Excelsis has performed twice at NPR Radio in From the Top show, the Percussive Arts Society New York Weekend Of Percussion in 2014 and 2015, Brooklyn Bound with So Percussion, Zeltsman’s Marimba Festival, Tippet Rise Music Festival in Montana, and most recently presented a Master Class at Salem University in Massachusetts. Sabian Cymbals endorse Excelsis.

As a symphonic percussionist, Mariana has performed with orchestras in Mexico and the United States, including the National Symphony of Mexico, Orquesta de Minería, Dartmouth Symphony, South Florida Symphony, the first all-Women Orchestra of Mexico, New England Ensemble, Fairfield Orchestra, and most recently with The Dessoff Choir, premiering works for Choir and Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall.

For more: https://www.marianapercussion.com

As a paying subscriber, you will receive behind-the-scenes access to the life of a musician who makes a living on Broadway. For $5 a month, or $50 a year, you'll have a backstage pass to the world of a broadway drummer playing on a hit show. You'll also be able to read every post (not just the occasional free ones), you'll get access to all newsletter issues in the archives, and have the ability to participate in subscriber-only comments and events.

The Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The podcast features conversations with my colleagues who currently hold drums chairs, showcases talks with broadway drumming legends and highlights up-and-coming drummers breaking into the scene.

There is a lot to learn. Subscribe now, so you don't miss out on the latest posts and podcasts!

The Broadway Drumming 101 Instagram page: Instagram

The Broadway Drumming 101 YouTube page: YouTube

For more about Clayton, click HERE

Thank you for reading Broadway Drumming 101. This post is public, so feel free to share it.

Get full access to Broadway Bound and Beyond at www.broadwayboundandbeyond.com/subscribe

PODCAST - Karl Latham Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss:

* Starting out working a day job as a computer analyst.

* Coming in second place out of 7,000 drummers at a Carmine Appice National Drum Battle - losing to Sonny Emory.

* Taking lessons from Gary Chester and how he pushed him into being a professional musician.

* Getting the chance to sub at “Bring It On” and later, “Hamilton.”

* What he learned subbing for Clint de Ganon at Beautiful: The Carol King Musical.

* Preparing for Ain’t Too Proud - The Life And Times Of The Temptations.

* Why he uses Yamaha drums, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Paiste Cymbals.

Broadway Drumming 101 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

As a freelance drummer Karl has performed with: Ali Ryerson; The Bernie Worrell Orchestra; Charlie Elgart; Michal Urbaniak; Jerry Vivino; Andy Snitzer; Edgar Winter; Johnny Winter; The Shirelles; The Real Deal Big Band; John Lee (Executive Director Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra); The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars; The Fantasy Band (Dave Valentine; Dave Samuels; Chuck Loeb, Noel Pointer, Victor Bailey, Cornell Dupree, Roy Ayers, Larry Coryell); Claudio Roditi; Slide Hampton; Clark Terry; Tomoko Ohno; Michael Dease; Sharrel Cassidy; Yotam Silberstein; Jon Faddis; Roy Assaf; Ed Cherry; Clifford Carter; Liz Queller; Johannes Mossinger Quartet (with guests Joel Frahm Joe Lovano, Bob Malach, Boris Kozlov, Seamus Blake, Kermit Driscoll, Calvin Jones, Rudi Engel, Johannes Enders, Thomas Lahns, Andy McKee, and Don Braden); Howard Paul with guests Tom Scott, Anat Cohen. Laurence Hobgood and Jody Espina; Johannes Mossinger Quartet (with guests Joel Frahm, Don Braden, Seamus Blake, Johannes Enders, and Joe Lovano); Bob Gluck; Christopher Dean Sullivan; Don Byron; Pete Levin; Dave Stryker; David Spinozza; Atilla Zoller; Oz Noy; Clifford Carter; Mattias Schieffel; Andy Hunter; Will Lee; Yotam Silberstein; Stefanie Schlesinger; renowned vibraphonist/composer Wolfgang Lackerschmid (John Lee, Cameron Brown, Michal Urbaniak, Attila Zoller, Randy Brecker, Stefanie Schlesinger, Henning Sieverts, Ryan Carniaux, Mark Egan).

Karl has subbed on the Broadway productions of “Bring It On,” “Hamilton,” “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” and “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.” As a sideman, Karl has appeared on countless recordings. To date, Karl has released three CDs as a leader: “Dancing Spirits” (1999), “Resonance” (2007) and his latest release Karl Latham “Living Standards” with Mark Egan and Vic Juris as a co leader Karl has released Don Braden/Karl Latham “Big Fun(K) Live” (2012) and Karl Latham/Ryan Carniaux/Mark Egan “Constellations” (2014).

Karl is an instructor at three New York area colleges and an endorsing artist for Yamaha Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Innovative Percussion, RME, AEA, Heil Sound, Avantone Pro, and Big Fat Snare.

For more: https://karllatham.com/home

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PODCAST - Rodney Howard Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss:

* Growing up in a small town and his path to working for major artists.

* What it was like subbing his first show at Saturday Night Fever.

* Playing all kinds of gigs in New York City and how that made him a versatile musician.

* Landing the drum chair for Diana but eventually working for the musical Mrs. Doubtfire.

* What he looks for when hiring subs.

https://www.rodney-howard.com

Rodney Howard has many years of experience on Broadway.

He has been a sub drummer on

* Saturday Night Fever

* The Lion King

* Little Shop Of Horrors

* Mama Mia

* Hairspray

* The Color Purple

* Frozen

* Moulin Rouge

He’s now the drummer for the broadway musical Mrs. Doubtfire.

Other diverse credits include Avril Lavigne, Gavin DeGraw, Thalia, Joan Jett, Heart, Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Ben E. King, Oz Noy, Deryck Whibley (Sum 41), The New York Horns, The Carson Daly Show, Chris Botti & Jeffery Lee Campbell (Sting), Lenny Pickett (Tower of Power), Jeff Kazee (Bon Jovi) , G.E. Smith (Saturday Night Live), Steve Augeri (Journey), Lorenza Ponce (Sheryl Crow), Mark Rivera, Tommy Burns & Crystal Talifero (Billy Joel).

Rodney loves and endorses PEARL drums, SABIAN cymbals and sounds, VIC FIRTH drumsticks/brushes/rods & mallets, REMO drumheads, Factory Metal Percussion, and KICKPORT.

Broadway Drumming 101 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Broadway Drumming 101 Instagram page: Instagram

The Broadway Drumming 101 YouTube page: YouTube

For more about Clayton, click HERE

Thank you for reading Broadway Drumming 101. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Get full access to Broadway Bound and Beyond at www.broadwayboundandbeyond.com/subscribe

PODCAST - Jared Schonig Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss:

* How he landed the drum chair at Moulin Rouge.

* What he does to avoid drumming injuries.

* Advice he would give to people interested in playing drums for Broadway musicals.

* Playing Giant Steps on the oboe.

* His experience recording the cast recording for the revival of Pippin.

* What are the things a drummer should never do in a Broadway pit.

Grammy-Award winning drummer, composer & bandleader Jared Schonig has toured and/or recorded internationally with Nicholas Payton, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Donny McCaslin, Darcy James Argue & Secret Society, The 8-Bit Big Band, Miho Hazama & m_Unit, Laurence Hobgood, Tim Hagans, Fred Hersch, Wycliffe Gordon, Tom Harrell, Joe Locke, and Ernie Watts among others. A favorite among vocalists, Schonig has toured with Grammy Award-winners Kurt Elling, The New York Voices, Kristen Chenoweth, Cynthia Erivo, and singer/songwriter Donna Lewis, in addition to rising vocal supergroup Duchess, Spencer Day, Laila Biali and Shayna Steele.

He has performed around the world from Carnegie Hall to festivals in Zimbabwe. Schonig co-led The Wee Trio, which released five critically-acclaimed albums over the past 8 years. The group received praise from numerous publications and toured internationally. He recently recorded two solo albums of original music (one quintet and one big band) in the fall of 2021 to critical acclaim. When at home in New York City, Schonig is a fixture in both the jazz and Broadway scene- he recently held the drum chair for the critically acclaimed Tony, Grammy and Emmy-award winning Broadway Revival of The Color Purple and is currently playing drums and percussion for the 10-time Tony-winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical. He also is an in-demand drummer/percussionist for studio recordings, jingle sessions and other commercial music recordings.

The Broadway Drumming 101 Instagram page: Instagram

The Broadway Drumming 101 YouTube page: YouTube

For more about Clayton, click HERE

Get full access to Broadway Bound and Beyond at www.broadwayboundandbeyond.com/subscribe

PODCAST - Elena Bonomo Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

Elena Bonomo Is A graduate of Berklee College of Music, where she holds a Bachelors's Degree in Performance.

She’s toured across the United States as the drummer for the 1st National Tour of the hit Broadway musical, Waitress, originated the drum chairs for two Off-Broadway shows, including The Hello Girls and A Strange Loop,

Elena has performed throughout the Caribbean, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe while working as a bandleader for Holland America Cruise Lines. She has toured nationally with Boston-based Americana/Folk group, The Novel Ideas, with whom she also recorded a full-length album.

Elena currently holds the drum chair for Broadway's newest hit musical, SIX and is a proud endorser of Yamaha drums, Sabian cymbals, Remo drum heads, and Vic Firth drum sticks.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Her path to landing the drum chair for SIX, The Musical.

* What she did to network with musicians in New York City.

* The things she looks for when hiring subs.

* Why it’s important to leave the drums the same way you found them if you are subbing.

* What advice she would give to someone who wants to play drums on Broadway.

https://www.elenabonomo.com

Clayton Craddock hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and Newsletter. He has held the drum chair in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill and Ain’t Too Proud. He is currently working on an ENCORES! production of a revival of The Tap Dance Kid and a few new Broadway-bound musicals.

Clayton began his career in musicals on a bus-and-truck tour of Footloose and has been a sub drummer on Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

The Broadway Drumming 101 Instagram page: Instagram

The Broadway Drumming 101 YouTube page: YouTube

For more about Clayton, click HERE

Get full access to Broadway Bound and Beyond at www.broadwayboundandbeyond.com/subscribe

PODCAST - Rich Rosenzweig - Part 3 of 3 Jan 07, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss:

* The reasons why he feels subbing can be so stressful.

* What he looks for when hiring subs.

* How he prepares his subs to play his shows.

* What advice he would give to anyone interested in playing Broadway musicals.

* What kind of drums, cymbals, and sticks he uses on his shows.

* The story of Tony William’s ride cymbal.

Rich Rosenzweig is a veteran of 11 Broadway shows and played on many cast recordings.

Rich has been the orchestra's drummer for the Kennedy Center Honors for over a decade. He's also played in numerous national and international tours and has been the regular drummer for the Encores! series at New York's City Center.

Over the years has also recorded and performed in several progressive jazz ensembles, including his own, the East Down Septet. He teaches privately and has also written four feature screenplays, two of which he is actively shopping.

Screenwriting: https://richrosenzweig.weebly.com

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