#202 Robert Dillon & Peter Martin- Percussionists for the Third Coast Percussion Ensemble!
This week’s guest is two of the members (Peter and Robert) of Third Coast Percussion. Third Coast Percussion is a Grammy Award-winning Chicago-based percussion quartet. For fifteen years, the ensemble has forged a unique path in the musical landscape with virtuosic, energetic performances that celebrate the extraordinary depth and breadth of musical possibilities in the world of percussion. The ensemble has been praised for “commandingly elegant” (New York Times) performances, the “rare power” (Washington Post) of their recordings, and “an inspirational sense of fun and curiosity” (Minnesota Star-Tribune). The four members of Third Coast are also accomplished teachers, and from 2013–2018 served as ensemble-in-residence at the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
R.I.P.
The pioneering Cuban percussionist Cándido Camero has died at age 99.
Camero's grandson, Julian, told NPR member station WBGO that the Cuban conguero died peacefully at his home in New York on Saturday morning.
Camero's professional career encompassed the entire history of the development of Latin jazz in the US and Cuba. He was one of the first Cuban percussionists to arrive and perform in New York with US-based dance orchestras and jazz musicians in the late 1940s. His long and prolific career included collaborations with jazz musicians such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Taylor, vocalist Tony Bennett , the Latin orchestras of Tito Puente and Machito, and also included a hit record during the disco era of the 1970s. -Article
Gig Alerts
It's the world premiere of Third Coast Percussion's Metamorphosis, with choreography by Movement Art Is (Jon Boogz & Lil Buck, who were both featured on Netflix's recent dance documentary series, Move) performed by Myles Yachts and Quentin Robinson.
The live stream will be on Nov. 7 at 7 PM Pacific, but the performance can be streamed on demand until Nov. 14.
For tickets, you can direct people to LJMS.org
Here is the performance description: Immerse yourself in the world premiere of Metamorphosis and let Third Coast Percussion's spectacular sonic waves wash over you. This innovative collaboration with the groundbreaking Movement Art Is choreographers Jon Boogz & Lil Buck explores the duality of human nature. At once intensely personal and fiercely virtuosic, two disparate styles of street dance blend seamlessly with new music by Jlin and Tyondai Braxton, as well as Third Coast Percussion’s critically-acclaimed arrangements of Philip Glass’s Aguas da Amazonia.
And here is the trailer for Metamorphosis
Educational Spotlight
The PASIC convention is this weekend Friday November 13th and Saturday November 14th (but you can watch anytime until December 31st 2020 if you register for the covention).
There is also a virtual expo hall to check out all of the gear!
HELP!
Percussionist Manu Bizeau had all of his instruments stolen from a rehearsal facility. If you are able to pitch in and help him raise enough funds to buy some new gear, there is a FUNDRAISING WEBSITE you can go to and donate.
Damon also talks about insuring your gear. Damon uses Music Pro Insurance and the Third Coast guys use Clarion Musical Instrument Insurance.
Jefferson and everyone over at Sugar Percussion is hosting a giveaway again for the the Okizu organization helping families dealing with childhood cancer. Their Northern California site burned in the recent fires and they’re aiming to help them rebuild. They are raffling off a 14x5.5 Brazilian Rosewood snare that is almost finished being built. To enter: $10 per entry(enter as much as you like - $20=2 entries, $40=4, etc.) via PayPal to js@sugarpercussion.com WITH YOUR IG/FB HANDLE.
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording is “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie from the album with the same name.
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.
David Bowie – lead vocals; producer; engineer; assistant mixing; horn arrangements
Nile Rodgers – guitar; producer; engineer; assistant mixing; horn arrangements
Musicians
Stevie Ray Vaughan – lead guitar
Carmine Rojas – bass guitar
Omar Hakim, Tony Thompson – drums
Sammy Figueroa – percussion
Robert Sabino – keyboards, piano
Stan Harrison – tenor saxophone; flute
Robert Aaron – tenor saxophone
Steve Elson – baritone saxophone; flute
Mac Gollehon – trumpet
Frank Simms, George Simms, David Spinner – backing vocals
Production
Bob Clearmountain (Fast Forward Productions) – engineer; mixing
Dave Greenberg – assistant engineer
Bob Ludwig (Masterdisk) – mastering
Social Soundbyte
Gabe Globus-Hoenich has done a new transcription of (friend of the show) Richie Flores. You can reach out to Gabe to have him transcribe for you OR purchase one of the transcriptions that he’s already done. You can find him on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
Music News
The Recording Academy has officially renamed the Grammys’ ‘Best World Music Album’ award category – which is now ‘Best Global Music Album’ – to avoid ‘connotations of colonialism.’ -Article
Late last month, following the release of a study indicating that the British live music industry stands to lose nearly 170,000 jobs by 2020’s end, vocal venue-lockdown critic Van Morrison lamented the ‘decimation of a sector.’ Now, the 75-year-old has established ‘The Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund’ to help musicians who’re struggling financially. -Article
Ticketmaster has rolled out a series of ‘SmartEvent’ tech solutions, including a ‘social distance seating tool,’ designed to help venues safely welcome back audiences and ‘enhance the overall fan experience.’ -Article
Third Coast Interview
The interview starts with Rob and Peter talking about the world premiere of Third Coast Percussion's Metamorphosis at the La Jolla Music Society.
Everyone in Third Coast studied at Northwestern University in Chicago under Michael Burritt (before he switched to Eastman School of Music). You can read more on their personal bios by CLICKING HERE.
Not only are they the performers, but they all have other titles to help the “machine” run. There is also a board of directors. They are registered as a 501-C-3 (Non Profit Organization).
Third Coast has applied for a small business loan (PPP) and musical organizations can also apply.
Getting solid on your craft is still paramount to having a successful career, but it wouldn’t hurt to try and sneak in some business knowledge to be able to function after graduation.
Listening and music discovery can help the learning process and shouldn’t be discounted (compared to the technical practice and facility improvement).
Third coast has a rehearsal space where their gear is stored. Each member has their own personal gear, but the organization has its gear as well. They backline or (request on a rider) the gear they need when they travel that they can’t pack in a suitcase and check. Shout-out to L.A. Percussion Rental for being Third Coast’s go-to in Southern CA.
TSA has inquired about some of the weird “instruments” the guys have used. Some of those instruments are actual building materials. This is the piece “Third Construction” that is referred to, performed by friends of the show Sō Percussion.
The guys mention the “More Cowbell” skit and everyone acknowledges that they have heard that more than enough.
They have made a packet to be a “clue sheet” for customs as to what the gear inside the flight cases was and photos of how it was used.
INSURE YOUR GEAR!!! (see above for two of the top insurance companies for musical instruments)
In 2017, Third Coast Percussion won a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music/ Small Ensemble Performance, for their album Third Coast Percussion | Steve Reich, released on Cedille Records.
The guys talk about what makes it worth it to be a musician and what makes them question their decision.
Damon brings up the campaign Be An Arts Hero and how the arts should have a better representation in the government to be preserved, cultivated and maintained.
The backpack that is underrated suggested is by Peter the company SealLine. The model that he mentions is the Skylake.
Rob’s underrated is to try and find ways to put gear on wheels. Damon recommends the Rock-N-Roller carts.
24 hour news networks are a bit overrated for Peter. Xylo mallets that are too hard are Rob’s overrated.
Third Coast uses Pearl Drums and Percussion, Adams Concert Instruments, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads. Shout-out to La Jolla Music Society. Also, shout-out to staff members: Reba, Colin and Rebecca.
You can go to the website or social media of Third Coast Percussion to follow them. Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
