Out Now: Sing Shalom

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The album I recorded for Music Together’s Sing Shalom program is out and being used in Fall classes as we speak. I tracked the drums live with piano, guitar, and upright bass so it’s fun hearing other elements of the songs for the first time, especially the lyrics. My favorite jam is “Sweet,” a jazzy tune about Rosh Hashanah. The album begins with a doumbek solo, too! To learn more about Sing Shalom, click here.

TBT: Day 1 of Hundred Days

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Oh man. Lindsay Mercer has me feeling nostalgic and missing my Hundred Days fam!!! Here's the one photo I took from the first day of rehearsal, one year ago today. I remember clearly the feeling of learning a show from scratch: deciding on my setup, toggling between music and script, working out programming, knowing choreography is coming, making sounds with strangers who are destined to become family. We spent the better part of a year together. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Masterclass: Stanton Moore

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Stanton opens his clinic at Atlanta Pro Percussion with this eclectic solo.

I was talking with some friends the other day about the masterful New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore. The dude’s got it all! Groove AND chops for days! I am really digging this solo from his clinic at Atlanta Pro Percussion a few years back. There is a lot of variety in his playing here, but he weaves a few themes throughout the entire solo. I do hope you enjoy and find as much inspiration as I did!

Here’s a picture of us in 2016. I was in New Orleans with the Grinch and was lucky enough to catch him on Frenchman street with his trio.

That's a Wrap: The Lightning Thief

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I am so thankfully that I got to fill on twice for The Lightning Thief’s first national tour, first in Dallas and then in Boston this past weekend. Here are a few of my favorite drum moments. Enjoy!

Audio: At Percussion Podcast

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It was a delight to speak with Karli Viña, Casey Cangelosi, and Ben Charles on the @ Percussion Podcast a few weeks back. We discussed a variety of topics including playing both orchestral percussion and drum set, touring, subbing on musicals, life as a drummer in New York City, and why equality matters. Give a listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!

In The Studio: Sing Shalom

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I had a nice time tracking at MONOlisa Studios, recording music for Music Together’s Sing Shalom classes with my dear friend Solomon Hoffman (artistic director of the Songwriter’s Orchestra.) We recorded about 8 tunes Saturday and are doing a few more tonight. In addition to drum set, I played some dumbek, which I don’t believe I’ve ever played on a recording! Pictured above is the house kit, which is a 70s Ludwig kit with Slingerland snare. The studio had great vibes! Thanks for having us, Denise.