#254 Dr. Colleen Clark- Drummer & Assistant Professor of Jazz at the University of South Carolina
This week’s guest is Dr. Colleen Clark. Dr. Colleen Clark is an Assistant Professor of Jazz at the University of South Carolina where she coordinates the small ensembles, conducts a big band, and teaches her drumset studio and jazz history courses. As a player, Clark has been described as "someone to watch" and "someone who will be turning heads in jazz for years to come." Clark was invited by the ASCAP Foundation to lead her band, the Colleen Clark Collective, at the Kennedy Center.
Dr. Clark has performed in prominent NYC venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland and the 55 Bar. Her debut album, consisting entirely of her original music, Introducing Colleen Clark, was produced by Gordon Stout and engineered by ten-time Grammy Award nominee/winner, Brian Dozoretz. Clark proudly joined the Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo on their premiere performance at the Jazz Education Network Conference in 2019. She has presented her research on the evolution of the ride cymbal pattern for the Percussive Arts Society and the Jazz Education Network.
Dr. Clark has taught at the City University of New York's Borough Manhattan Community College and was active Graduate Faculty at the University of North Texas. She was a lead teacher for the ChiCa Power program at Jazz House Kids in Montclair, NJ.
Clark can most recently be heard playing on SteepleChase record #900, Allegra Levy's Lose My Number: Allegra Levy Sings John McNeil.
Dr. Clark is the only woman and drummer to earn a doctoral degree in jazz from the University of North Texas.
Her latest project is CC & the Adelitas, which features the merging of the golden era of Mexican music and jazz.
R.I.P.
Former Wailers’ percussionist Alvin ‘Seeco’ Patterson, Bob Marley’s long-time friend, has died at age 91. -Article
Damon did a tribute to him.
Gig Alerts
Snarky Puppy is back on tour (with friends of the show Marcelo Woloski, Keita Ogawa and/or Nate Werth).
Educational Spotlight
There is an Attendify App for PASIC 2021. You can download the app, search for Pasic and get maps and schedules and much more!
Product Review
If you are heading to PASIC, you can win some accessories from the Latin Percussion company. There are multiple time slots you can sign up to meet with a tech at the LP Booth.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording for this week was recommended by Dr. Colleen Clark.
We talked a bit about Mexican styles of music and genres. Here is ONE ARTICLE, that goes into some details about some of the styles.
Below is a chart Damon found that discusses what instruments are used in which styles.
Music News
Here is an article that talks about the basic steps to create a plan for your music career. Click the link and spend a little time following these tips and you’ll quickly see how useful a plan is. -Article
Dr. Colleen Clark Interview
The song leading in and out of the interview is from a live concert of CC and the Adelitas.
Damon met Colleen at Maxwell’s drum shop in Manhattan with friend of the show, Charles Ruggiero.
Colleen is from Colchester, CT in New London County. She spent the pandemic near the beach in Milford, CT.
Colleen played on Allegra Levy’s album release.
Colleen got her undergrad at Ithaca School of Music under Gordon Stout. She majored in classical performance and music education.
While in CT, Colleen studied with Alexander Lepak, who taught at Hartt School of Music.
Colleen’s dad took her to a summer camp at the University of North Texas when she was in middle school, so she could study with Ed Soph.
Colleen got her masters degree from SUNY Purchase with John Riley.
Damon and Colleen talk about expanding your musical palate when you get exposed to several genres of music.
Colleen got her doctorate degree from the University of North Texas. Jazz Performance and Ethnomusicology were what degrees that she left with.
Colleen has a new project called CC and the Adelitas. She was influenced by many things, one of which were corridos “singing newspapers”.
Some of the popular styles of music from Mexico can be (but not limited to): Cumbia, Mariachi, Ranchero, Norteño (or Norteña, also música norteña), Mexican Marimba Music, Son Jarocho, Banda Band Music, and Latin Rock.
Shout-out to Selena, Maná and Antonio Sanchez.
Colleen picked out the iconic recording this week. She also mentions, Chavela Vargas, Natalia Lafourcade (also with Banda MS), Luis Miguel, Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante, Lupita Infante, Angela Aguilar y su familia and more!
Colleen’s disertation was on the evolution of the ride cymbal and the patterns that get played on it.
Shout-out to Kenny “Klook” Clarke (Colleen holds up the book on him).
Colleen tells a bit of drum history and how it fits with jazz history.
Colleen is the Assistant Professor of Jazz of the University of South Carolina. Two people that attended there that Damon brings up are Jack Mansager and (friend of the show) Andy Akiho. Colleen mentions the piece he wrote that the Sandbox Percussion Ensemble will be playing on Saturday night of PASIC.
Colleen talks about some of the curriculum she teaches, and a good portion of it is to focus on what her student’s goals are, and how she can help them meet them.
Shout-out to Tayloe Harding.
If you are curious or interested in studying with Colleen or at the University of South Carolina, please reach out to her, HERE.
Colleen will be performing January 5-8, 2022 as part of the Jazz Education Network Conference. Drumset clinic: "Guardian of Swing: The Power of Your Ride Cymbal Pattern" Friday Jan 7th at 6pm. Also, a performance with "Lioness" Thursday Jan 6th at 9am.
Colleen uses Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, Mono Bags and Cases.
You can follow Colleen on her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Damon and Colleen wrap up with some basketball and baseball talk.
The song leading out of the interview is from the aforementioned concert.
