#240 Michito Sanchez- Percussionist for James Taylor, Crosby, Stills & Nash, John Denver & More!
Michito Sanchez, one of Los Angeles’ top studio and live percussionists, has a unique ability to create an atmosphere from the Amazon or just groove on a Shaker or Cowbell. Michito also applies his knowledge of Conga drum techniques to other world percussion instruments, simplifying or intensifying intricate world beat rhythms to fit in today’s sound of Pop, Rock, R & B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, etc. situations. Aside from the standard, Michito has gathered hundreds of Percussion Instruments from around the globe, which he utilizes with a virtuosity that enhances any musical situation making it a true experience. Michito envelopes his performance with a great attitude and creative energy.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to friend of the show, Colin McNutt. Colin has instructed and arranged for the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps and the popular stage production Blast! He has also written for and instructed the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps, Magic of Orlando, and the Madison Scouts. Colin has served on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he is an alumnus and received degrees in Classics and Music Education. Most recently, he was the Percussion Caption Supervisor and then Caption Head for the nine-time DCI World Champion Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps. This past year he became the Caption Head for the Boston Crusaders.
He hasn't only instructed, as McNutt started marching drum corps his junior year in high school in 1988 with the Boston Crusaders of Boston, Mass., then aging out with the Santa Clara Vanguard of Santa Clara, California, in 1992.
McNutt has made a career out of his passion for music and percussion, while in between completing his double major of music education and classics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1998. When not instructing drum corps, McNutt conducts clinics for the percussion companies Avedis Zildjian Co., REMO, Inc., and Vic Firth. He also writes music for marching bands in the United States, Canada, Thailand & Japan.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show, Gabo Lugo. Born in Puerto Rico, Gabriel “Gabo” Lugo’s production work has been nominated for multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy awards.
Bachelor's degree, Electronic Production & Sound Design from Berklee College of Music From 2008 to 2012. Global Studies International Business Program at Berklee Valencia From 2012 to 2012. Gabo Lugo is skilled in: Sound Design, Audio Engineering education and more! This is the single he produced that came out summer of 2020.
Gig Alerts
Damon updated his website with some gigs. First of which is this weekend in Nantucket at the Chicken Box with the Hip Hop band, Concrete Jungle. If you’re in the area, come out and say hello!
Michito is currently on tour with James Taylor. If he comes through your hood, go say hello!
Friends of the show Camilo Molina and Little Johnny Rivero are playing with Eddie Palmieri. Next show at the Blue Note in NYC is on August 16th.
Coachella is going to have Frank Ocean headline in 2023. -Article
Educational Spotlight
The Percussive Arts Society Solo Artist Competition is the only one of its kind in the U.S., happening every year, with the instrument category alternating between Drum Set and Solo Percussion. The 2022 PAS Solo Artist Competition category is Drum Set. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2021, with final live rounds taking place June 2022.
Requirements
Entrants must be 18 - 30 years old on or before June 1, 2022.
PAS membership is not required.
There is NO entry fee for PAS members and a $20 entry fee for non-members.
Deadline to apply is November 30, 2021.
For more details and info, CLICK HERE.
Conga Chops has some FREE spots available for a little while longer.
Product Review
The product review for this week is the new Roland TR-6S. This machine has samples from the original 606, 707, 808, and 909 drum machines.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording this week is "A Dios le Pido" (I beg to God) is the lead single from the Spanish studio album Un Día Normal by the Latin music singer and songwriter Juanes, released in 2002 in Spain and Latin America. It features the guest for this week, Michito Sanchez on percussion. In 2006, the song was re-released in some countries in Europe, right after the success of "La Camisa Negra", which charted in almost every European country in the top five. It reached number 1 in twelve countries on three different continents. "A Dios le Pido" spent 47 consecutive weeks on the "Hot Latin Tracks" Billboard reaching number 2 (kept out from the number one spot by Chayanne's Y Tú Te Vas and Jennifer Peña's El Dolor de Tu Presencia).
This track won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Song at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2002, the second year in a row for the singer.
Music News
All 41 Broadway Theatres Will Require Vaccinations and Masks for Audience Members
Actors' Equity Association and the Broadway League yesterday announced an agreement on safety protocols for Production Contract shows on Broadway. -Article
As the first major U.S. city to declare this mandate, NYC will soon require customers and workers to provide proof of vaccination for all indoor dining, gyms, concerts and performances. 😷 The policy will be finalized by August 16th and enforcement will begin September 13th. -Article
TikTok is expanding its livestreaming platform with several new features to rival Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube.
Currently, users can live stream to fans while responding to viewer comments and questions. That’s a format that’s familiar but pretty generic. The TikTok LIVE experience will include the ability to go live with others, host Q&A sessions, use moderators, improved keyword filters, and more. -Article
This episode is sponsored by Eucatape. Use the code EUCATAPE15 for 15% off a checkout.
Michito Sanchez Interview
The song leading into the interview is “[Got to Keep] Open” by Crosby, Stills and Nash from the ‘Live It Up’ album.
Some of Michito’s “crew” of percussionists are friends of the show, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Alex Acuña, Luis Conte, Lenny Castro and Kevin Ricard.
Michito tells the story of subbing for other percussionists as well as getting the gig with John Denver.
The Tolú album Michito and company recorded was called “Rumbero's Poetry”
Michito talks about staying in shape during covid times.
Michito can record for you from his home studio.
Damon brings up some of the iconic recordings that Michito has played on. He started on Jingles before albums.
Damon mentions part of the band that Michito is on tour with in James Taylor’s band. Michito mentions the new book Gaddiments that the drummer Steve Gadd has written.
Damon mentions Neighboring Rights.
There are three Neighboring Rights Administrator that are recommended.
Different than SoundExchange.
AFM SAG AFTRA FUND (non-featured performer neighboring rights): CLICK HERE TO SEE IF YOU HAVE MONEY WAITING.
You should also pick a PRO (Performing Rights Organization) for other features. ASCAP and BMI are two of the best.
As a first generation born American of Cuban parentage (in New Jersey first), bongos were a constant fixture in the Sanchez household and between those and the pots and pans, the youngster was able to cut his early musical teeth. Then after attending some bata and rumba jam sessions, Michito was hooked.
“When I saw the real cats playing, it freaked me out,” he recalls, referring to Patato and Totico, Cachete, Julito Collazo and Little Ray Romero.
The family moved to California as Michito began his sophmore year in high school. Musically, it was a turning point for the boy whose music teacher, Ken Smith, happened to be a drummer. Aside from learning how to read music and playing in the South Gate High School marching band and jazz band, as well as the All City Marching Band, the creative freedom Smith allowed his student influenced Sanchez’s entire approach to drums and percussion.
“I would get bored with the sticks and I’d say, “I can do all this double stroke stuff and rudiments with my hands,” Michito explains. “That’s where my style came from, so I really owe a lot to my teacher for turning me onto stick control.”
After about 30 years in Los Angeles, Michito moved to Las Vegas.
Friend of the show, Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez was playing bongos in Michito’s Salsa Orchesta in Vegas.
Michito benefitted by private lessons with Rolito Soto, formerly of the Cuban band Rumbavana, considered by many as an institution in modern Cuban music. Rolando "Rolito Bongo" Soto, born in the barrio of Santo Suarez, is a talented Cuban musician who played with the famous group Rumbavana in Cuba for eleven years, as well as others. He has resided in Los Angeles since 1971 and has been a teacher to many percussionists. His knowledge on Afro Cuban Music History is invaluable .As one of Cuba’s best bongoceros, Soto not only worked with Sanchez on percussive technique, but he addressed the more practical issues as well.
“We went through everything,” Sanchez recalls, “even how you place bongos between your legs when you play and what kind of shoes and socks to wear. When you play bongos, you’re sitting down, so your pants are higher and people see your socks and shoes. You don’t want to be on the stage with funky socks and shoes, do you?”
When Michito enrolled in Los Angeles City College, his father knew he was serious about music as a profession. He had hoped for a more secure profession for his son, but that opinion never effected Michito’s burning desire to play music or his commitment to excel at it. For two years, he played salsa five nights a week at a nightclub, slept three hours and arose at 6:00 a.m. to take the bus to college each morning. Although it was tough, he says, “I wouldn’t change that time for the world.”
While attending the Dick Grove School of Music, he received a call from Devauhn Pershing, Nel Carter’s musical director whom he had met while subbing on another gig. He joined her band at 22, and was thrilled to be making a living playing music and experiencing his first encounter with life on tour.
Michito studied with both Miguel “Anga” Diaz and Jose Luis “Changuito” Quintana.
As soon as the job ended after two years, the phone began to ring. Michito had already earned a sterling reputation that would employ him with local bands such as Claire Fischer, Rudy Regalado & Chevere, The L.A. Salsa Society Orchestra, Bongologic and Cecilia Noel & the Wild Clams. At the same time, he toured for eight years with John Denver alongside Elvis’ rhythm section, guitarist James Burton and bassist Jerry Scheff. When he left Denver in the spring of 1990, it was to join Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Michito had a lot of gear stolen from a storage locker. He got some stuff from Jon's 3rd Floor Percussion Bāzār.
Damon mentions musical instrument insurance from Clarion Musical Instrument Insurance and Music Pro Insurance.
Michito uses Latin Percussion instruments, Zildjian Cymbals and Sticks, and Remo Drumheads.
You can follow Michito on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is “Searching For A Heart” performed by Don Henley from the ‘Enjoy Every Sandwich - The Songs of Warren Zevon’ album.
