#232 Pablo Batista- Percussionist for Alicia Keys, H.E.R. & More!
Master percussionist Pablo Batista has performed, recorded and toured internationally for 30 years with some of the biggest stars in rhythm and blues, jazz, Latin, pop and gospel.
Artists with whom he has worked with include Alicia Keys, Patti Labelle, Kirk Franklin, Jill Scott, Gerald Levert, Jeffrey Osborne, Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Pendergrass, Diane Reeves, Norman Brown, Manny Oquendo and Libre, Eddie Palmieri, and Musiq. A drummer of unusually diverse talents, Pablo is highly regarded for his professionalism, tireless work ethic and ability to listen. He can integrate his playing into almost any style at the highest level of musicianship, holds the rare distinction of having performed on Grammy-winning releases in jazz, R & B and gospel, and has also been a guest with the Philadelphia Orchestra Percussion Ensemble.
Pablo has also taught friends of the show, Aaron Draper and Dominique Thomas among many other people.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to friend of the show, Anthony Almonte! A singer and percussionist, Anthony was born in June of 1992 in New York City. As a child, Anthony’s parents placed him in many activities, one of those being music at the age of 6, after showing much interest in “bomba” and “plena” rhythms during the holidays in Puerto Rico. Since then, he has studied with music greats such as Angel Rodriguez, Little Johnny Rivero, and Charlie Lagond, as he began to perform live in New York at the age of 10. In his young career, Anthony has incorporated the Latin percussion instruments with various styles and genres. As a vocalist who plays percussion simultaneously, Anthony’s energetic performance and stage presence offer a breathtaking experience to audiences.
At a young age, he has already performed with a wide breadth of artists, including Johnny Pacheco and the late Dave Valentin. Anthony has recently toured with Kid Creole and The Coconuts, while also participating in lead singer August Darnell’s musical “Cherchez La Femme”. In 2013, he performed alongside star-dancers D’Angelo and Amanda on “America’s Got Talent.” At Thalia Spanish Theater, he performed in Cali Salsa Pal Mundo’s sold-out hit “History of Salsa,” as well as AfroTango, alongside world renowned bandoneonist Raul Jaurena. Anthony also studied at Manhattan School of Music, Boys Harbor Conservatory, and Lagond Music School before joining them as a percussion instructor at the age of seventeen.
Anthony Almonte completed a Masters degree of Business Administration in Finance, with an advanced certificate in Sports & Entertainment Business, in 2016 out of Iona College’s Hagan School of Business. He is currently touring with “Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul” (Steven Van Zandt). Anthony has performed and recorded as a percussionist/vocalist for Kid Creole and The Coconuts, Eddie Montalvo & Orchestra, Little Johnny Rivero & NY Cartel, Edwin Bonilla y Su Son, Ismael Miranda, Andy Montañez, and New York-based salsa bands Grupo Arcano and Los Hacheros. On the private sector, companies such as Hank Lane, LiveLab and The Rhythmics have also been of recent work.
Gig Alerts
The Ridge Hill section of Yonkers has a music series near the fountain. Steven Salcedo’s Latin Soul will be one of the groups performing, featuring Anthony Almonte.
The Newport Jazz Festival will be the weekend of July 30th-Aug 1st.
Educational Spotlight
Here is the screenshot of apps based around Indian music, thanks to friend of the show Pete Lockett.
You can apply to receive a 2021 scholarship to attend PASIC in person.
There are a couple of competitions you can enter. The Concert Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition provides a competitive avenue for collegiate and high school-level small percussion ensembles, as well as the the Individual & Ensemble competition. Individuals and Ensembles are divided into High School and University divisions, with the oldest member of an Ensemble determining the division in which they compete. Students may register for multiple categories if the schedule permits.
In honor of the 60th anniversary, there is special pricing to attend PASIC for PAS members. It is $60 until July 16th.
Social Soundbyte
Friend of the show, Gerald Myles, along with drummers Elena Bonomo and David Heilman and Damon were all featured as protest drummers in the series and season finale of the show Pose on FX. Shout-out to friend of the show Jon Epcar for contracting the musicians.
Shout-out to friend of the show Lenny Castro for playing on the new forthcoming album by John Mayer, as well as, the music video for the single and the live performance on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
Shout-out to friend of the show Camilo Molina for the Timbale solo he took with Eddie Palmieri at Lincoln Center in June.
Product Review
Damon ordered some Venezuelan style maracas that arrived from Jorge Carrero, (@maracasjc on Instagram). With the help of Google Translate and WhatsApp, the purchase was made smoothly and efficiently. Everything was customizable and you can see the incredible work he does from his Instagram page as well as these photos below.
In addition to receiving the Maracas, Damon started learning how to play them properly from this masterclass video by Manuel Rangel
Which he will apply the techniques learned to these grooves and genres in this video.
He also will take some lessons from friend of the show Jeremy Smith. If you’re in the NYC area, feel free to hit him up for some lessons!
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording is the song that Camilo Molina takes a solo to in the social soundbyte section. That song is “Vanilla Extract” by Eddie Palmieri from the ‘Vortex’ album released in 1996.
The Rhythm Section is Eddie Palmieri - piano, Oskar Cartaya - Bass, Jose Claussell - Timbales, and friends of the show, Richie Flores (uncredited) - congas and Paoli Mejias - bongos. You can check out the full credits HERE and HERE.
Music News
Latin music legend, Grammy Award-winning percussionist and friend of the show, Ralph Irizarry has traveled the world three times over, with some of the biggest names in the music business, and as a renown and beloved music and cultural ambassador. But for over 40 years, he’s always called Brooklyn his home. Now, in a frail and critical state of health, the home and well-being of this giant musical icon are being threatened with eviction.
There is a GoFundMe page set up to help him out. If you are able, please donate to this living legend and gem of a human being. Check out the videos below (in English and Spanish) for a bit more details.
The Music Workers Alliance has posted some new grants and other resources to help musicians in need.
There is an article in the NY Times that features percussion as well as friends of the show Andy Akiho, Valerie Naranjo, Jason Treuting of So Percussion among other phenomenal percussion greats!
This episode is sponsored by Eucatape. USE CODE EUCATAPE15 FOR 15% OFF AT CHECKOUT!
Pablo Batista Interview
Shout-out to friend of the show Wolf for recommending and connecting Pablo with the show.
Before Philly, Bethlehem Pennsylvania was home for Pablo after his parents moved from Puerto Rico. His fater worked at Bethlehem Steel and his mother worked in textiles. Bethlehem Steel is now an entertainment venue called SteelStacks. SteelStacks is a ten-acre campus dedicated to arts, culture, family events, community celebrations, education and fun. Once the home plant of Bethlehem Steel, the second largest steel manufacturer in the nation, the site has been reborn through music and art, offering more than 1,000 concerts and eight different festivals annually.
Pablo attended Holy Infancy School and then Bethlehem Catholic High School.
Damon and Pablo talk genealogy, and Damon recommends African Ancestry for people of color trying to trace their roots.
After High School, Pablo attended Temple University and got a degree in Pre-Law.
Graduating from College Pablo met Grover Washington Jr. At the same time he was teaching at the Artístas y Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA).
Pablo hosts a podcast with Jesse Bermudez called ¿Sabes Qué? (Did you know?)
After recording “Closer than Close” Pablo played a week at the Blue Note with Grover and on his way stopped by Latin Percussion in NJ and met and invited Martin Cohen.
Pablo studied with Miguel Candia, who also taught Giovanni Hidalgo.
At one lesson Pablo was there when the first Batacumbele record, ‘Con Un Poco De Songo’ arrived from Giovanni, and they listened to it on the spot.
Ralph MacDonald was one of Pablo’s mentors. He mentions Ralph working with lots of greats like Steve Gadd.
Aside from all the greats in the Afro-Cuban world that Pablo studied, he also mentions some pop percussionists like Paulinho da Costa as well as other areas of American percussionists. Some of the Motown percussionists Damon mentions are Eddie “Bongo” Brown, Master Henry Gibson and Bobbye Hall.
Damon talks about Gamble and Huff and the MFSB and TSOP organizations. Pablo talks about the importance of Larry Washington. Here are some of Larry’s CREDITS.
The two cruises that band plays are the Soul Train Cruise and the Ultimate Disco Cruise.
Pablo talks about Ray Barretto’s influence.
Pablo talks about using electronics. He references “Take Another Five”. He was able to pull this off by using a Roland R8 drum machine and an Octapad.
Today Pablo uses the Yamaha DTX pad.
Damon makes a reference to the Soul Train TV show intro
Pablo traveled to Cuba and got to study with José Luis “Changuito” Quintana, Miguel “Anga” Diaz, Federico Arístides Soto Alejo (aka Tata Güines) and Yoruba Andabo, Pancho Quinto and Roman Diaz.
Pablo talks about how American music has folkloric music as well as Afro-centric folkloric music.
Among the Cuban folkloric groups he studied with, one that isn’t as well known is Cutuma. A Ballet Folklorico
Santiago de Cuba which plays a lot of carnival based music.
Some of the grants Pablo got to go study abroad were from the PA Council on the Arts. He also mentions received two Pew Fellowships and also developed an opera titled “El Viaje.”
Pablo has his own studio called “Slaphard Studios”.
Pablo talks about being blind and gradually getting there from a degenerative disease called retinitis pigmentosa. Ray Charles had juvenile glaucoma.
Pablo talks about an injury he had with moving gear. PRO TIP-Get a pair of gloves when moving stands and hardware.
Pablo talks about his other senses being heightened since losing his sight.
Pablo uses JH Audio in ear monitors, Latin Percussion instruments, Sabian Cymbals, Pro-Mark sticks and mallets, Remo drumheads and DW hardware.
Shout-out to Sean Woods, Pablo’s tech and Mikaela Souder, Pablo’s assistant who helped coordinate the interview and logistics.
You can also study percussion with Pablo.
Shout-out to the Philadephia Orchestra Percussion Ensemble and friend of the show Rolando Morales.
You can follow Pablo on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
