Working Drummer

Latest Episodes:

456 - Emmanuel “E-MAN” Cervantes: Inspiring the Next Generation, Drumming for Andy Grammer, Creating a Loop Library Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

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

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455 - Rob Perkins: From Touring Drummer to Music Contractor, The Best Ways to Say Yes and No, Studying with Ndugu Chancler, "You're In the People Business" Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

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

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454 - Matt Iceman: Working with David Nail, Home Recording Techniques, Expanding Your Skillset Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

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

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453 - Davide DiRenzo: Working with Larry Klein, Staying Open When Collaborating, The Conundrum of In-Ears Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

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

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452 - Brian Doherty: Drumming For They Might Be Giants, Pre-Social Media “Networking”, Cymbal Hacks for the Studio Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

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

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451 - Ulysses Owens Jr.: His New Jazz Drumming Course on Drumeo, Jazz Representation on Social Media Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

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

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450 - Dan Shinder: Drum Talk TV, The Challenges of Content Creating, Upcoming “Brilliance” Platform Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

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

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449 - Davide DiRenzo: What "Presence" Really Means, Opting Out of Social Media, Reconnecting with Toronto, Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

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

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448 - Ra Kalam Bob Moses: Getting Beyond Your Tendencies and Patterns, His Documentary, Reconciling His Own Legacy Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

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

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447 - Terence Clark: Playing with Keith Urban, His New Improvised Duets Project, Staying Rooted in Memphis Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

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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