#51 Dr. Brian Zator- PAS President & Director of Percussion at Texas A&M University-Commerce

Our guest this week is Dr. Brian Zator, President of PAS (Percussive Arts Society), and head of percussion studies at the University of Texas A&M Commerce. 

The World Vibes Congress is going to be Jan 6th in Asbury Park, NJ hosted by Malletech. More info to come soon. 

NAMM (National Association for Music Merchants) is coming up also in January in Anaheim, CA. Damon and Marcos will be out there doing a bunch of work as well as conducting some interviews. 

For Music News....

Apple buys Shazam for $400 million. Ajit Pai faces multiple copyright infringement lawsuits. He put up a video that was taken down (breifly) using a song (the Harlem Shake - not to be confused with the ORIGINAL version of the Harlem Shake) without permission. There is a DJ in India with the same name receiving all types of hate mail from people wanting to preserve net neutrality. 

Product Reviews/Last Min Gift Ideas.....

Hand Pans/Hang Drum, the Garrahand, & Sundrum. The Sensory Percussion triggers by Sunhouse. The Pocket Kit by Ludwig, endorsed by Questlove. 

The song leading into the interview with Brian was called Marimba Spiritual by Minoru Miki. Here is Part 1, and Part 2. 

One of the events that PAS hosts is PASIC (the Percussive Arts Society International Conference). 

If you are interested in submitting to give a clinic or masterclass at PASIC in November 2018, you should click HERE. The deadline is Jan 15, 2018 to submit. 

If you are interested in applying to some of the competitions that they have at PASIC, you should click HERE. 

You can help out by joining a COMMITTEE of PAS, or even search out your local CHAPTER to get involved. 

Brian brings up the Rhythm Discovery Center in Indianapolis (where the PAS headquarters are). Part museum, part interactive facility. 

For the future, PAS is focused on continuing PASIC and trying to make that better, continuing the Rhythm Discovery Center and making that better, but also improving interactive experiences, and  educational resources. 

Here are a few of the iBook compositions that Brian offers for students. Sea Refreactions (video performance), The Tempest (video performance), & Ballads for Koto Solo (video performance).

Brian studied for his Undergrad at Baylor University with the Late Dr. V before traveling to Japan to study with the legendary Keiko Abe. He then got his masters at the University of Michigan under Michael Gould and Michael Udow. Finally completing his doctorate from the University of North Texas while maintaining a full time teaching schedule at the University of Texas A&M Commerce. 

Brian was a member of the front ensemble of the Cavaliers Drum Corps 1994-1996 under percussion captionhead Jim Campell. 

This is the CD of "Sohmen III" of the music of Minoru Miki that was recorded with Brian and his percussion ensemble at Texas A&M Commerce. 

Brian refers to the soundtrack of the musical Hamilton as well as the clinic performance by Andres Forero

Brian uses Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets, Dynasty/Bergerault Percussion instruments, Evans Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and Black Swamp Percussion instruments exclusively. 

You can follow Brian on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.