#239 Jonathan Scales- Steel Pan Percussionist, Composer Educator & More!
This episode is sponsored by Dream Cymbals.
Photo of Jonathan taken by Sandlin Gaither.
Jonathan Scales is one of the most innovative steel pannists on the planet, and is redefining and challenging traditional expectations of his signature instrument. In his hands, the sonic palette of an instrument often associated with cruise ships and tropical resorts is radically expanded to mimic the role of horns, piano, vibraphone or marimba due to his stunning, virtuosic technique. Scales’ mesmerizing compositions have captivated listeners and elevated him to the status of a true composer, forging new territory in the medium of instrumental music.
Although Scales’ writing produces songs that are ultimately accessible and danceable, the compositions can be remarkably complex and difficult to perform. As a result, the power trio whimsically named Jonathan Scales Fourchestra has always had a fluid lineup top-notch musicians, and even included an “all-star” version with bassist MonoNeon (Prince, Ghost Note), drummer Robert “Sput” Searight (Snarky Puppy, Snoop Dogg) and percussionist Weedie Braimah (Trombone Shorty, Nth Power), as well as a number of other talented marquee value players. Throughout these changes, Scales has demonstrated remarkable perseverance and persistence, a topic that he presented in a TED Talk, while continuing to write and develop his craft and touring the North American and European club and festival circuit—as well as dates in Japan, Central America and The Caribbean. Scales also represented the United States through the Department of State as a musical ambassador in a four week concert tour of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Indonesia in early 2017, an honor for which he was chosen from among three hundred finalists.
R.I.P.
Rest in peace to founding member and drummer of Slipknot, Joey Jordison who passed away Monday at age 46. He was a co-writer of many of their biggest hits. He died “peacefully in his sleep” but did not specify a cause of death. -Article
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to friend of the show, Dafnis Prieto. From Santa Clara, Cuba, Dafnis Prieto’s revolutionary drumming techniques and compositions have had a powerful impact on the Latin and Jazz music scene, nationally and internationally.
Various honors include a 2011 MacArthur Fellowship, Up & Coming Musician of the Year from the Jazz Journalists Association in 2006, a 2018 GRAMMY Award and Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album for Dafnis Prieto Big Band Back to the Sunset, a GRAMMY nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album for Absolute Quintet in 2006, and a Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist in 2007. Also a gifted educator, Prieto has conducted master classes, clinics, and workshops throughout the world. He was a faculty member of Jazz Studies at NYU from 2005 to 2014, and in 2015 became a faculty member at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.
Since his arrival to New York in 1999, Prieto has worked in bands led by Henry Threadgill, Steve Coleman, Eddie Palmieri, Chico and Arturo O’Farrill, Dave Samuels and The Caribbean Jazz Project, Jane Bunnett, D.D. Jackson, Edward Simon, Michel Camilo, Chucho Valdés, Bebo Valdés, Roy Hargrove, Don Byron, and Andrew Hill, among others. He has performed at many national and international music festivals as a sideman and as a bandleader featuring several of his own projects and music.
As a composer, he has created music for dance, film, chamber ensembles, and most notably for his own bands, ranging from duets to big band, and including the distinctively different groups featured on seven acclaimed recordings as a leader: About The Monks, Absolute Quintet, Taking the Soul For a Walk, Si o Si Quartet: Live at Jazz Standard, Dafnis Prieto Proverb Trio, Triangles and Circles, and Back to the Sunset. He has received commissions, grants, and fellowships from Chamber Music America, Jazz at Lincoln Center, East Carolina University, and Meet the Composer. In 2016 Prieto published the critically acclaimed drumming instructional book, A World of Rhythmic Possibilities: Drumming Lessons and Reflections on Rhythms.
Gig Alerts
Live Nation is bringing $20 all-in tickets to nearly 1,000 shows across 40 venues next week. The promotion sees the events company going all-in on the return of live music. Several popular artists and acts will be taking the stage once again, across a wide variety of music genres. The $20 tickets will be available to the general public starting Wednesday, July 28 at 12 pm ET / 9 am PT on the LiveNation.com website. -Article
Tickets for the Monterey Jazz Festival are sold out after just six days of availability. “To have it sell out that fast has been very exciting for us,” says Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate of the Monterey Jazz Festival. “It shows that people are ready to come back and have live music again.” Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the festival will be held at 50% capacity – room for only 2,500 guests for the weekend. -Article
Over in the Netherlands, some confusing data is now emerging following the Verknipt Festival, an event held earlier this month in the Dutch city of Utrecht. According to information from Utrecht officials and local reports, more than 1,000 attendees of that festival contracted COVID-19 — even though the festival was carefully structured as a COVID-safe event. -Article
Eric Clapton is flatly refusing to play gigs that require a COVID vaccination for entry. “I reserve the right to cancel the show,” Clapton stated in response to a recent UK government order. Superstars like Bruce Springsteen and Foo Fighters have both played shows to vaccinated-only audiences. Eric Clapton, however, refuses to put that requirement on future audiences. -Article
Educational Spotlight
Announcing the Laborie Steel Pan Workshop with Andy Narell in Laborie, Saint Lucia, West Indies Jan. 4-16, 2022. Percussionists and Pan Players are invited to register. Limited spots available - Individuals and groups welcome. Email (friend of the show) Jason Koontz: Jason.Koontz@eku.edu to reserve your spot today!
Friend of the show Giovanni Hidalgo, has an official Instagram page. He is also launching an Only Fans page meant to be an educational tool and teach you more about playing percussion. You can click the aforementioned page, or scroll down and use the QR code.
Here is the QR code to connect to Giovanni’s Only Fans page.
Product Review
AirPods 3 Could Appear In September Alongside New iPhone. -Article
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording is “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett from the ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’ album
The Coral Reefer Band:
Jimmy Buffett – vocals, acoustic guitar
Greg "Fingers" Taylor – harmonica and one line in "Lovely Cruise"
Michael Utley – organ, piano
Harry Dailey: Bass
Kenneth "Barfullo" Buttrey: Congas, drums on "Landfall", "Biloxi," and "Margaritaville"
Michael Jeffry – lead guitar
Roger Bartlett – lead guitar on "In the Shelter"
Farrell Morris – percussion
Billy Puett – recorder and flute on "Margaritaville"
Jimmy Buffett, Harry Dailey, Michael Jeffry, David Bryant – background vocals
Norbert Putnam – string arrangements on "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" and "Biloxi"
Norbert Putnam, Michael Utley – string arrangements on "Tampico Trauma" and "Banana Republics"
Michael Utley – flutes and recorders on "Margaritaville", composed poolside in Miami
Shelly Kurland – concertmaster
Here’s the article listing the top 5 steel pan pop songs.
Music News
Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Jennifer Hudson will headline the upcoming Central Park Homecoming Concert, scheduled for August at the Great Lawn of the New York City park. Clive Davis will serve as the booker for the mega-concert, the centerpiece of a weeklong slate of celebrations marking the return of New York City following the Covid-19 pandemic. -Article
Morgan Wallen says he has donated $500,000 to several racial justice organizations. The country star spoke about the donation during his first public interview with ABC News’ Good Morning America. Wallen expressed remorse over his use of a racial slur following a night of heavy drinking. “I had some of my long-time friends in town and we had been partying that weekend, and we figured we’d just go hard for the two or three days that they were there,” Wallen told Michael Strahan. “We say dumb stuff together. In our minds it was just playful. It sounds ignorant, but that’s really where it came from. It was wrong.” -Article
The interview starts with Damon recounting the performance/masterclass that Jon presented at PASIC.
As the child of a military father, Jon moved around a lot with his family. From California, to Portsmouth, VA, to Fort Bragg, NC, to Germany to Fayatteville, NC, Ashville NC and NYC.
Shout-out to the Rock-N-Roller cart.
From being a music school student to paratrooper in the army, Jon’s father also taught music in schools.
Jon’s mother played viola and also sang in the church chorus.
Jon started high school band as a sax player and before that he was a soccer player.
He entered the percussion section as a bass drummer first, and then a snare drummer after. He also became obsessed with Drum Corps and marched the Carolina Crown 2002-2003.
2002 was a transformative year for Jon.
This might be the orchestration book that Jon read when he was a kid.
Jon started writing music by hand then moved onto Cakewalk before ultimately Finale.
This was the Danny Elfman CD that Damon was referring to. For Jon hearing the film score for Planet of the Apes (remake) in the theater. This was the day that Jon decided he wanted to go into composition.
Jon attended Appalachian State University and joined the steel pan ensemble. Shout-out to Ashley Davis and Rebecca Bennett for giving Jon the inspiration to try out for the steel band.
Damon talks about the slave trade with its effects on percussion instruments, and shout-out to Ellie Mannette. Damon and Jon also talk about the different kinds of pans.
The book Damon brings up is called “From Zero to Sideman (in five easy steps)” by (friend of the show) Mel Brown. He also mentions an alleged story about Chris Botti and Sting.
Jon talks about how he started his interactions with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. He also talks about his relationship with Victor Wooten.
Shout-out to Jeremy Muller and his inspiring of music with the tune “More Luv” by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones from the album ‘Live Art’.
Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis are two musicians that influenced Jon and his playing.
The song during the break is “The Mud” from Jon’s ‘Mindstate Music’ album.
Damon brings up the Caribbean Jazz Project with Andy Narell in the band and Jon mentions the album, ‘The Gathering’. He also got into the album ‘Live in South Africa’ by Andy Narell.
CLICK HERE for Jon’s discography of albums.
Jon talks about his time during covid and what is next for him. He also has a series on Instagram called “Scales and Friend”
Jon loves languages. He learned a bunch of different ones.
The second break is the song “Movement I. Mississippi” from Jon’s ‘Mixtape Symphony’ album.
Jon attributes music vocabulary to the english vocabulary.
This meme is brought up…..
Shout-out to Dr. Scott Meister, Mr. Davis, Maison Guidry on drums and E'Lon JD on bass, as well as his tour manager Harrison and everyone on the team.
You can follow Jon on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is “Focus Poem” from the album ‘Pillar’.
