Working Drummer

Latest Episodes:

327 - Blake Fleming: Quality Over Quantity, The Book of Rhythm, Speaking Honestly About the State of Music and Drumming Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

Blake Fleming is a percussionist known for his involvement with several influential experimental bands and has recently written his first book, The Book of Rhythm, an unprecedented collection of 5,096 meticulously organized rhythms for all instruments. His drumming has been written about in such major publications as The New York Times, NPR.com, Spin, Rolling Stone, MOJO, Modern Drummer, DRUM!, Dangerous Minds, and Pitchfork. He was included in SPIN’s 100 Greatest Drummers of Alternative Music and has recorded and toured extensively, working with luminaries in the jazz, rock and avant-garde worlds. Alongside a variety of studio work, he also enjoys teaching students worldwide with live online lessons and is an adjunct professor at The State University of New York at Oneonta.

In this episode, Blake talks about:

Quality over quantity
A homogenization of music and drumming
Early experimental bands
His book: The Book of Rhythm
Asking yourself “Why?” And being self aware

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326 - Joe Bergamini: The Working Drummer's Chart Book, "Knowing the Job," Remembering His Friend Neil Peart Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

Joe Bergamini maintains a diverse career as a drumming performer and educator. Joe is constantly behind the kit for everything from prog rock to Broadway to his touring gig, The Doowop Project. He stays equally busy as the drum editor for Hudson Music, where he has overseen the creation and production of countless books and videos featuring many of the world's greatest drummers. He is also an author in his own right, having authored or coauthored over a dozen books.

In this episode, Joe talks about:

How to demonstrate that you "know the job" and instill trust in those you're working with
What a drum editor does, and how he came to that job with Hudson Music
His latest book, The Working Drummer's Chart Book
Collaborating with Steve Gadd on Gaddiments
His relationship with Neil Peart which began as a professional collaboration and evolved into a friendship

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325 - Stephen Bidwell: Playing with Black Pumas, Studying with Johnny Vidacovich, "I'm Not Here to be Drummer Guy" Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

Stephen Bidwell was born in Washington, DC and grew up in nearby Reston, Virginia. Since being first handed drumsticks in the late 80s he has studied and lived in West Virginia, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and New York but has called Austin, Texas home since 2005. Somewhere in those travels he earned a Bachelors degree in classical percussion and a master’s degree in jazz studies. Since early 2018 he has been the drummer for the Grammy nominated Black Pumas, a psychedelic soul group known for incendiary live shows. When not on tour with Black Pumas, Stephen plays in several diverse projects (Hard Proof, The Calm Blue Sea, Azmaris, the Mood Illusion), works in any genre you can think of as a sideman, and teaches lessons at his home studio in Austin.

In this episode, Stephen talks about:

How Johnny Vidacovich trained him to rely on instinct, not charts
The sustaining gigs he did during his first few years in Austin
How a prior ongoing relationship with Austin guitarist, producer, and Black Pumas founder Adrien Quesada led to getting the drum chair
Still working a day job during the first 1-2 years of Black Pumas activity
Chasing gigs vs. chasing the dream
The grooves and tones on The Black Pumas record

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324 - Jim White: The Importance of Mentorship, Overcoming Cancer, Life Experiences that Inspires Our Drumming Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

Drummer Jim White is an active performer and educator. His first musical experiences took place in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, where he studied percussion with Paul Yancinch, Mike Cebulski, Sonny Emory, and Jeff Sipe. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Jazz Studies/Composition from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas.

While a student at the University of North Texas, White performed with the renowned “One O’clock Lab Band” for three years. In 1992, Maynard Ferguson recruited White for his “Big Bop Nouveau” band with which he toured internationally. White is featured on Ferguson’s recording, Footpath Cafe. In 1995, White moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he remains active as a performer and studio musician. His versatility and unique sound have been r featured on many jazz, pop, and country recordings. White’s performance and recording credits feature a diverse array of artists including J.D. Souther, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Crystal Gayle, Jerry Douglas, Curtis Stigers, Charlie Peacock, Jack Pearson, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, and Willie Nelson. In addition, he has performed with many top jazz artists including Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford, Joey Defrancesco, Pat Bianchi, Greg Gisbert, Jim Ferguson, Chris Potter, Annie Sellick, the North German Radio (N.D.R.) Big Band, and many others.

As an educator, White has performed clinics at universities and jazz festivals throughout the country. In 2005, he joined the faculty at the University of Northern Colorado, where he currently serves as Professor of Music, Jazz Studies. He directs UNC’s Lab II Big Band, supervises the jazz combo program, teaches jazz history, as well as applied drum set students. He currently co-leads the Colorado Jazz Orchestra, a big band featuring many of the finest jazz musicians in the Northern Colorado area.

In this episode, Jim talks about:

Bringing his personality and style to Nashville
The importance of mentorship
Being diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and over coming it
How his fight with cancer changed his perspective on life
Life experiences that inspires our music

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323 – Roundtable with Nick Ruffini Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Once a year, we sit down with our buddy Nick Rufinni of Drummer’s Resource to shoot the shit. Each of our careers and podcasts are always on the move, heading in different directions with different challenges, and it’s good to unpack things and talk about what’s coming at us and how we’re moving through it.

In this episode, Matt, Zack and Nick talk about

* Social media strategies* Re-entering gig life* How remote recording does and does not deliver a fulfilling musical experience* Answering the question “why does this feel good?” when listening to other drummers* Recalibrating priorities and ambition as we come out of the pandemic

This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

Keith Dudek Recovery Fund

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322 – Jeff Fabb: Drumming for Black Label Society, Employable Skills Beyond Your Playing, Overcoming Physical Barriers Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

Originally from a small town in Long Island, New York, Jeff Fabb made the move to Los Angeles shortly after high school at the age of 18. Jeff moved to L.A. looking for more opportunities in music and that’s just what he found. The journey was slow, answering classified ads—everyone that placed ads said they were going to be the next big thing, but he just wanted to get out there and play. After a few years playing the L.A. club scene, Jeff came into contact with members of female-fronted metal/rock band – In This Moment, including guitarist Chris Howorth and former Five Finger Death Punch bassist Matt Snell, who had a project together. Around the end of 2011 and three records later, Jeff decided to move on from ITM.

Other bands and artists he found himself working with include James Durban (American Idol), Sixx:A.M. (with Nikki Sixx) and Filter. Jeff is currently the drummer for Black Label Society.

In this episode, Jeff talks about:

* Overcoming physical issues* Questions by Nashville drummer Danny Douchette covering range of topics* Moving to L.A. at 18 and the things he learned* The events that lead to his gig with Black Label Society * Employable skills beyond your playing

Jeff endorses Drums, Meinl, Vic Firth and Evans

This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

Keith Dudek Recovery Fund

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321 – Dena Tauriello: From Rock Touring to Broadway, and What They Have in Common Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

A Grammy-nominated and studied musician of several decades, Dena’s versatility has afforded her opportunities to play in a variety of settings – from arenas to rock clubs and Broadway to recording studios. She has been highlighted in several drum publications, including the September 2018 issue of Modern Drummer Magazine. Dena has held the drum chair for several Broadway and Off-Broadway productions including Little Shop of Horrors, Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls, and Head Over Heels. In addition to her 20 years with Antigone Rising (Lava/Atlantic), she has performed with Rob Thomas, Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic, Talking Heads), The Go-Go’s, Anita Cochran and Williams Honor. Other past projects have included studio sessions with Lisa Loeb and Robert Randolph.

In this episode, Dena talks about:

* Developing a virtual clinic during the pandemic* The years she spent doing bus and van tours with Antigone Rising* The show that brought her to Broadway, and why her pedigree was the perfect fit for it* The increasing inclusivity in the Broadway community, especially among musicians* How rock touring skills translate to musical theatre* Her brief but meaningful brush with Leland Sklar

Dena endorses Pearl Drums and hardware, Zildjian cymbals, Evans drumheads, Promark sticks, SKB cases, Big Fast Snare Drum, Sledgepad and Ultimate Ears.

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320 – Mark Stepro: Recording in the 21st Century, Working with Butch Walker, Drumming for The Wallflowers May 27, 2021

Show notes

Mark Stepro is a Los Angeles-based musician originally from Galion, Ohio.

He is currently performing and recording with singer-songwriter-producer Butch Walker (Dangerbird Records), with whom he has been working since 2011, as well as singer-songwriter Brett Dennen (Elektra Records). He recently recorded the upcoming album by the Wallflowers, “Exit Wounds,” their first release in ten years.

Since 2010, Stepro has performed and recorded with singer Mary McBride under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State as a Cultural Ambassador, presenting a program of American music overseas. The group has logged performances in twenty-three countries including Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia, appearing in schools, hospitals, prisons, women’s shelters, orphanages, and places of worship.

He has also performed or recorded with Leon Bridges (including a European slot opening for The Rolling Stones), Panic! At The Disco, Gavin DeGraw, Jewel, Keith Urban, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, Jackson Browne, Shooter Jennings, Hayes Carll, Dan Wilson, Ben Kweller, Andrew McMahon, Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, The Old 97s, Courtney Love, Corb Lund Sara and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, Morgan Kibby of M83, Mike Viola, Joe Pug, Robert Ellis, Adam Levy, and Tim Easton. He also spent five wonderful years and a staggering number of liver and brain cells as the bass player for Brooklyn indie-roots favorites The Madison Square Gardeners, led by Aaron Lee Tasjan.

He has studied with teachers Ed Soph, Steve Houghton and Glenn Kotche of Wilco.

He has performed on every continent except Antarctica and has appeared multiple times on The Late Show With David Letterman, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Craig Ferguson, and Carson Daly, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and CBS This Morning

In this episode Mark talks about:

* Teachable moments early in Mark’s life * From Ohio to New York to L.A.* Working with Butch Walker* Recording in 2021* Playing a last minute show on Conan O’Brien* To play or not to play to a click live* Engaging with your music community without relying solely on social media

Keith Dudek Recovery Fund

This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

Mark endorses: Zildjian, Ludwig, Remo and Vater

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319 – Ross Pederson: Playing with Grace Kelly and Manhattan Transfer, Designing a New Home Studio, The North Texas Pedigree May 20, 2021

Show notes

Ross Pederson has been in New York for over a decade after going through the famed North Texas program and studying with Ed Soph. He tours and records with a number of notable New York based acts including Grace Kelly and Manhattan Transfer, and records, mixes, and produces at his home studio in Brooklyn.

In this episode, Ross talks about:

* Moving into a new house and starting a home studio from scratch* Being married to bassist Julia Adamy* His biggest takeaways from North Texas and Ed Soph* The musical families both he and Julia come from * Starting with Grace Kelly as a hired gun sub, and growing into a trusted collaborator

Ross endorses Meinl Cymbals

This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

Keith Dudek Recovery Fund

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318 – Doane Perry part 2: Composing and Creating, More Jethro Tull Stories, Doane’s Sustained Passion for Music and Creating May 13, 2021

Show notes

A professional musician since 1972, Doane Perry has been called one of the most prolific and versatile drummers in contemporary music.

His career spans over 28 years with the internationally acclaimed progressive rock band Jethro Tull, incorporating 18 world tours, countless records, videos, and DVDs, and a Grammy. As a performer, composer or producer, he has appeared on more than 100 records to date, many of which have attained gold or multi-platinum status, and also on numerous #1 records in multiple genres. He has worked in the recording studios of New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, and London. And as an author, he has been a featured writer for musical magazines, anthologies, book publications, websites, CD liner notes, Jethro Tull concert programs.

He attended Browning, St. Bernard’s and Collegiate Schools in New York City. Later he briefly attended New York University and extension programs at The New School, Rutgers, and Juilliard, followed by extensive private musical study in jazz and orchestral percussion.

The people with whom Perry has worked with during his career reads much like a who’s who across many genres of music. The short list would have to include Lou Reed, Bette Midler, Todd Rundgren, Pat Benatar, Martha and the Vandellas, Peter Cetera, Dweezil Zappa, Stan Getz, Kitaro, Dionne Warwick, Liza Minelli, Jeffrey Osbourne, and Magellan.

In this episode (part 2), Doane talks about:

* Meeting Al Jackson when he was very young (11)* How he spends his practice time * “Great chops is simply the articulation of your own ideas, clearly” * A useful definition of what good technique is and can be* Composing and orchestrating * The current state of his compositions

Follow the link below if you are able to help out our friend drummer Keith Dudek. He is fighting to recover from Covid. There is a GoFund.Me page where you can help. Thanks – Matt

https://www.gofundme.com/f/keith-dudek-recovery-fund?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

Doane endorses: Premier, DW, Paiste, Remo, Promark, Rhythm Tech, Sure, Kick Port & Stick Handler

This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

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