What Else Can We Do?
/Gosh, it sure feels good to see all of my Hundred Days family in one place. What a joy to sing this song with you all. Here’s a bit about this video from The Bengsons themselves:
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Video: Stars and Stripes Forever
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Here’s a nice version of Stars and Stripes Forever that I was asked to participate in as a Mannes alum. It was great to see a lot of faces pop up that I haven’t seen in awhile! I recorded snare drum, bass drum, and crash cymbals played on hi-hats while my colleague Christine Chen played snare, cymbals, and glock. Enjoy!
New Recording: Solomon Hoffman - Esa Einai
/Solomon Hoffman is a brilliant musician, composer, arranger, artistic director, {insert literally any music-related activity here) who I have had the pleasure of working with for several years now.
In April, Solomon sent me a guide track of just vocals, piano, and guitar so I could record some percussion. To hear his vision fully realized yesterday for the first time -- now with SIXTY outstanding musicians -- was an incredible experience. My mind was blown. I am proud be one of the musicians on this track and proud to be his friend.
Percussion-wise, I played some cajon, concert bass drum, cymbal, and shaker for this one. I tracked each instrument separately and recorded them all from my apartment. If you like what you hear and are in need of some percussion tracks for your recording project, please be in touch.
Playthrough: The Shadow (Trumpet Wom')
/Congrats to Trumpet Wom’ on the release of her new LP, Evolution! I was lucky to provide drums on this one (as well as her last, Just Listen) and wanted to share a drum video of her latest single, The Shadow. Enjoy!
Drumming at Pride
/Happy Pride, ya’ll! While things around here have been unusual to say the least, it was nice to get out and do a little bit of celebrating, protesting, and drumming at yesterday’s “Reclaim Pride” event here in NYC. I played with a solid crew of drummers with Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir. It was a hot one and my hands were pure goo after playing street beats for three hours straight. Worth it!
Mallets for Sale!
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I am parting with some mallets that I no longer have a need for. Everything is in good/excellent condition. Many good options for beginner mallet players! Check out the full lot on the Facebook Marketplace or this spreadsheet. Drop me a line if you are interested!
Long Live The Miller Machine!
/The Miller Machine is one of the most important percussion inventions of the last 50 years! Are you even playing a musical if you don't have one (or three, like I use in my setup for The Grinch)?
Stay tuned for the full videos from me and all of these amazing percussionists that I am honored to share the screen with. Thanks so much for having me, Billy Miller and Jeremy Yaddaw!
Inventory: a gallery
/Since a have a ton of free time right now, I’m finally getting around to a project I’ve been thinking about for literal years — selling some of the mallets I never use! Stay tuned here for a for sale list, but in the meantime, enjoy my “process” which turned out to be a fun walk down memory lane with a curious cat.
Percussion Playthrough: As (Stevie Wonder)
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Happy birthday to one of the GOATS, Stevie Wonder! Last week. Alison Shearer dropped a video of an arrangement of the song “As” featuring myself on percussion and 13 other amazing women (peep the vid here).
I put together this little percussion playthrough of the part I wrote for the song. It features LOTS of tambourine, shakers, mark tree, suspended cymbal, and triangle for good measure. I hope you enjoy! Sorry for the vert vid, but it was part of the assignment!
New Video: Protons and Electrons
/The video for Trumpet Wom's first single off of her upcoming album, Evolution, is now up on Youtube! Protons and Electrons was a blast to record, though the drums were actually recorded last. Very unusual and certainly had it’s challenges! I think it turned out great, though, and I’m obsessed with this video!