#235 Tim Greene- Percussionist, Educator, Author and More!
This episode is sponsored by Dream Cymbals.
Happy Birthday America. Here’s a Patriotic Playlist for you!
Tim Greene Sr. is currently in his sixth year as the Assistant Band Director/Percussion Director for Cypress Ranch High School out of Cypress Texas, in West Houston. During his tenure at Cypress Ranch High School the percussion section and band have become highly competitive in both indoor and outdoor arenas. Most notable awards include; Area Finalist in the UIL State Marching band contest 2018, Earning Sweepstakes with 1st division ratings across the board for Marching and Concert ensembles 2017-2018, Best percussion at multiple marching band contest, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 earning first place in Scholastic A division TCGC Championships indoor percussion contest in 2015.
Mr. Greene served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Auburn University in Auburn Alabama from 2013 – 2015, where he studied under Dr. Doug Rosener while teaching and writing music for the Auburn University Marching Bands Percussion Section.
Mr. Greene has served as a general Music Teacher for Orangeburg Consolidated School District Three, as well as the Marching Percussion Director for South Carolina State University from 2007 – 2013.
Since aging out of the co-world champion Cadets in 2000, Mr. Greene has taught at several notable programs across the country including; Percussion Caption Head for Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corp 2013-2014, Blue Stars as Battery Coordinator in 2012, Boston Crusaders Jr. Drum and Bugle Corp 2001, 2006, King Phillip Regional High-School 2001, Bushwackers Senior Drum and Bugle Corp 2004, 2007, Brooklyn Steppers and Black Fire Percussion 2002 - 2007. During his tenure with the Brooklyn Steppers Mr. Greene also lead the Drumline for the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) and Hot 97 radio station.
Mr. Greene currently holds a Masters in Music Education from Auburn University, and a Bachelors of Science in Music Education from South Carolina State University, graduating Cum-Laudi. Prior to completing the undergraduate degree Mr. Greene also studied percussion under Michael Lipsey at Queens College Aaron Copeland School of music in Long Island City NY, as well as Robert Romeo at Jersey City University in Jersey City NJ.
Mr. Greene has conducted percussion clinics and workshops in the Atlanta-Metro, New York, Alabama, Texas South East areas as an education artist for Remo, Zildjian, and Vic Firth. Mr. Greene has adjudicated the solo and ensemble marching categories at PASIC, he has also adjudicated some indoor contest and other local circuits in the Alabama, and Georgia area.
Mr. Greene currently resides in Cypress Texas with his wife Krystal, their four children Kayden age 5, four year old twins; Timothy Jr. and Kaylee, 8 month old Kaycee and their dog Patches, a very friendly miniature Dachshund.
Mr. Greene is the founder and owner of TAG percussion, a web based video lesson platform. He is also the author and creator of the children’s books series; The Daddy Duty Book Series. A book series that is dedicated to providing an inside look into the role of the active parenting dad. Mr. Greene is a part of the founding body of the Southern Percussion Ensemble an Indoor competition ensemble that features HBCU instrumentation and influences.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Lea Mullen. Lea has been busy with debut ‘Jooks’ album release ‘Soft hands with Luis Conte’, workshops and teaching. As well as playing/touring with Vanessa Mae, Alan Leach, Paul Ryders ‘Big Arm’, ‘Rebel MC’, ‘Rachael McFarlane’ and writing reviews for drummer magazine. Lea was touring the USA with George Michael.
Gig Alerts
The New Orleans Jazz Fest has announced their lineup for October. 3-Day Weekend Passes and VIP Packages on sale now! View the lineup and ticket information on the aforementioned, hyperlinked website.
You can also check out the upcoming schedule for the various Drum Corps this summer by visiting DCI (dot) Org.
Educational Spotlight
Since December friend of the show, Tim Collins, has been working behind the scenes on a big project, and it's finally ready... introducing his new ONLINE JAZZ VIBES COURSES!!
He designed the "Killer Jazz Vibes Course" specifically with classical percussionists, percussion teachers, and beginning improvisors in mind.. It's 44 video lessons, 15 backing tracks, huge PDF book (of course), and more... He also tries to take the mystery out of improvisation, while giving the student clear goals to work towards. It's definitely NOT a "learn jazz in 5 minutes a day" type of course, though. Learning to play is like learning a language - you learn it by doing it!
You can also use a promo code "TCvibesFB" to get a 20% discount.
Product Review
This week’s product review is the percussion pack that Damon is almost finished recording. It will be called “Grant’s Gadgets and Gizmos” and be released through Yurt Rock. There are already a bunch of great musicians on that site, and below you can see an example of what some of the sound samples from Damon’s pack will be like. There will also be some iconic percussion parts from Pop songs in the loop and one shot library pack. More details to come in the future!
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording for this week comes in two parts. The first is the song “Obaricoso” by Tito Puente and Mongo Santamaria released in 1957 from the album “Top Percussion”
The second part is the cover of the aforementioned tune with an additional tune added by the Caribbean Jazz Project from the “Paraiso” album. The additional tune is called “Ritmos, Colores, y Sentidos” by Richie Flores.
Music News
If you are getting ready to play live music and/or go out on tour. You may need to get some instruments or cases repaired. Damon uses Armen’s Repair Shop in NYC for his instruments and Izet’s Shoe and Leather Repair for some of his cases (especially the zippers). You should have a repair shop you trust to help you out if you need it.
CD Baby’s DIY Musician Conference is going virtual this year – and it’s FREE! Join them for sessions led by industry leaders, networking and coaching. For three days (August 26-28) you'll have the chance to learn from industry leaders, sign up for one-on-one coaching, and networking with other musicians. We'll be announcing conference speakers and coaches soon! Updates will be posted to the DIY Musician Conference website. You can reserve your free ticket HERE.
Tim Greene Interview
The song leading into and out of the interview is a piece Tim wrote called Subtle Aggression.
Damon and Tim tried to figure out the last time they saw each other. Tim was a guest speaker at the virtual PASIC Convention.
Tim was the director of the Brooklyn Steppers after teaching the Boston Crusaders. He also helped out with Black Fire Percussion.
Shout-out to James Riles. He was inspirational in helping Tim understand some of the HBCU style drumlines.
Tim finished his bachelor’s degree at South Carolina State University and also assisted with the drumline.
Tim got his masters at Auburn University. Damon and Tim marched the Cadets with Auburn alum, Mike Jackson.
Below is the scene from the Madonna MDNA tour that featured the drumline.
Tim has taught drumlines for the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) and Hot 97 radio station and more!
Tim marched with the New York Lancers, then Kips Bay Knight Club, and ended his career at the Cadets of Bergen County.
Shout-out to Mo Clark of the NY Lancers.
Damon brings up the 2000 Cadets drum feature that Tim started off.
Tim teaches virtually as well as in person. One of the ways Tim teaches is through Tag Percussion.
Tim is the executive director of a new HBCU style WGI drumline called Southern Percussion Ensemble.
If you are interested in joining SPE, check out their Facebook page for more info. They will be doing more auditions in July. Southpercens@gmail.com is who to email for more details and audition materials.
Damon requests that the African American percussionists don’t get left out with representation. He mentions a few in “Master” Henry Gibson, Eddie “Bongo” Brown, Larry Washington, Ralph MacDonald, Bobbye Hall and more!
Tim attended LaGuardia Community College for computer programing, then Jersey City University where he met Juan “Carlito” Mendoza. Then over to Queens College and Aaron Copeland School of Music under Michael Lipsey. After that, Tim spent time working to help his family. Then SC State to complete his undergrad and Auburn University for his masters under Doug Rosener.
Tim worked on the movie Drumline 2 with James Riles.
He is also a book author of The Daddy Duty Book Series.
In addition to all those aforementioned jobs, he is also The Assistant Band Director/Percussion Director for Cypress Ranch High School out of Cypress Texas, in West Houston.
Tim uses, Pearl Drums/Adams Instruments, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, and Remo Drumheads.
