#166 Charles Ruggiero- Drummer, Educator, Bandleader and More!
Charles Ruggiero was born to be a drummer. The son of world renowned jazz musician Vinnie Ruggiero, Charles spent his early years surrounded by the "who's who" of jazz. There was always music around, and with musicians like Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Freddie Hubbard, and Jon Hendricks coming to spend time and play, it was only a matter of time before he caught the bug and asked his father to play the "bang-bangs."
As a teenager, Charles got serious about drumming, playing anywhere he could. Soon, local high schools and colleges, as well as professional theatre groups, and popular local bands throughout western N.Y. started to hire him. After winning a seat in the New York State All State Jazz Ensemble, music colleges came calling. Manhattan School of Music offered a full scholarship and a chance to study with famed jazz educator Justin DiCioccio, so he jumped at the chance. The jazz scene in New York City in the early 90's was vibrant and he was plying regularly with his own "who's who" of jazz, including Joshua Redman, Peter Bernstein, Jane Monheit, Ryan Kisor, Joel Frahm, Sam Yahel, Brad Mehldau, Myron Walden, Chris Potter, and Dwayne Burno, to name a few.
Gig Alerts
Marcos is in Chicago this week playing with Plena Libre. They have some end of the week events for March 5, at the international house, and the Logan Center for the Arts, as well as a concert with the University Symphony on the 7th.
Damon will be playing at Sony Hall in NYC on Monday the 9th for a Broadway Against Bullying event.
Educational Spotlights
Damon and Marcos wrote a two-part article in Modern Drummer Magazine, in the April and May issues. The articles are Percussion Playing for Drummers 101. As a drummer you may get asked to play some percussions instruments. These articles talk about the basic grooves you should be able to pull off and execute. This includes transcriptions in the article as well as videos of Damon and Marcos playing the transcriptions on Modern Drummer’s website. Also in the April issue are the winners of the 2020 readers poll.
PAS has announced new dates for Day of Percussion events around the USA.
Thom Hannum has released his summer Mobile Percussion Seminar camp dates for July 25-29 2020.
Product Review
Roots EQ muffling system. A unique tone control product, giving the musician effortless ease and control.
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording is called “Tumbalakatin” by Gary Nunez & Plena Libre from the ‘Plena al Salsero’ album.
Damon and Marcos go on to talk about the main percussion instrument, the panderetas, used in Plena, one of Puerto Ricos traditional folkloric styles of music. You can see in the video below how the three sizes of panderetas are played.
Music News
Damon and Marcos briefly talk about the music scene in Chicago.
The Importance of keeping up with Social Media Algorithms - Article
16 Unexpected Items Every Touring Musician Should be Packing - Article
The episode with the DnP Roundtable/Touring and Travel tips was number 119 - Episode
The travel clothes Damon mentions are made from Merino Wool. This is not an endorsement, but Damon uses Wool and Prince shirts, ExOfficio underwear, & Darn Tough Socks. Here are some other brands you can check out.
Damon mentions the Manta Sleep eye mask and the facemask Damon recommends are the Cambridge Masks. If you want to get musician ear plugs, first get a hearing test from an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat doctor) with an Audiologist on staff. If you can’t afford the musician ones, get some foam ones from CVS or anywhere you can find something to protect your ears (and while you’re at it, get a decibel meter on your phone to check the volumes of things around you).
In honor of Women’s history month, here are some Famous Female Percussionists to check out - Article
If you are a female percussion player, you should know about Tom Tom Magazine, as well as the Hit Like a Girl contest.
Charles Ruggiero Interview
The song leading into the interview is called “Our Waltz” from the ‘Slide’s Blues’ Album Charles put out with Frank Basile.
Charles starts with talking about the band Jing Chi and the song “Going Nowhere”. He also mentions that his wife called him out for not being able to play it, so he learned it.
134 Likes, 7 Comments - Charles Ruggiero (@ruggierodrums) on Instagram: "I never really tried to figure out this groove before. I would just kinda fudge my way through it..."
Charles mentions that he used the app Djay pro to slow down the song and learn the drum parts. Another app you can use is Tempo Slo Mo.
Charles mentions that one of his first influences was Keith Moon of The Who. Damon makes a joke about the Muppet Show, because it is a legendary story that Animal was based off of Keith Moon (and/or Mic Fleetwood).
Charles talks about watching “The Kids are Alright” documentary and recognizing things in his playing that were inspired by Keith Moon. He also talks about “Pools” by Steps Ahead with Peter Erskine on drums (and Mike Maneiri on vibes).
Damon talks about active listening to hear the beat and have the patience to place rhythms in time. One famous clip about beat placement is when Harry Connick Jr was performing in France and adds a 5/4 measure to change the audience from clapping on 1 & 3 to 2 & 4.
Charles mentions one of his teachers, Justin DiCioccio and the lessons he learned from him while at the Manhattan School of Music.
Damon brings up the Yogi Horton masterclass and some of the stuff Yogi talks about with body movement and controlling your weight around the drumset.
Charles has moved from NYC to L.A., Back to NYC and then back to L.A. Damon asks about Charles’ thoughts after seeing so many friends moving west. If you are considering a move, here are FOUR articles that help you form some pros and cons about moving to a new coast or staying put on the one you are on.
Article 1 - Article 2 - Article 3 - Article 4.
Charles talks about his sobriety as well as his work in helping others work through theirs.
Damon and Charles talk about different things that could be classes in music school that students could benefit from.
Charles talks about his father, Vinnie, as well as his relationship with Steve Gadd. He then tells the story of getting the gig with Chuck Mangione and double drumming with Steve.
Damon made a mistake about thinking Steve Gadd was on the Mickey Mouse club tap dancing with Buddy Rich. The video he mentioned from the Drummer’s Collective/Bass Day anniversary has a different drummer who accompanied Steve. That drummer was Cubby O’Brian who later played with the Carpenters.
Damon and Charles talk about different definitions of “making it” as a professional musician and feeling “good enough” to continue to be successful.
He also talks about coming from a “smaller town” to a big city and getting the wake-up call that there could be people out there better than you (thanks Greg Hutchinson).
Here is a snippet from that infamous Loop Loft party that Damon played a little drumset with David Ryan Harris and Doug Wamble.
Charles uses Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Zildjian Sticks, Remo Drumheads, SKB Cases, & Big Fat Snare Drum. Special shout-out to the Yamaha Recording Custom Aluminum Snare Drum (honorable mention to the same drum in Brass).
You can follow Charles on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and check out his albums on Spotify or Apple Music.
The song leading out of the interview is called “Our Day Will Come” from the ‘Charles Ruggiero Meets Laura Mace’.
