#309 Payton MacDonald- Percussionist, Composer, Educator and More!
This week’s guest is Payton MacDonald. Payton is a composer, percussionist (specializing in marimba), singer, and filmmaker. He explores the frontiers of art in a variety of settings, from Carnegie Hall to remote wilderness locations. He spent his early years drumming along with jazz records, while exploring the Rocky Mountains near his home in Idaho by foot, bicycle, and skis. Eventually he was shaped into a percussionist who plays marimbas, snare drums, bicycles, plants, pots and pans, and anything else that might produce an interesting tone. Along the way Payton discovered Indian classical music, and has studied that music for over 20 years. He often dreams up and executes large-scale, ambitious projects, such as his film Sonic Divide, which shows Payton pedaling his mountain bike 2,500 miles along the Continental Divide, while performing 30 new pieces of music, or his Sonic Peaks project, in which Payton hikes to the summit of hundreds of mountains and creates new music reflecting those experiences. He has released over 100 recordings. Payton studied music formally at the University of Michigan (BFA) and Eastman School of Music (MM and DMA), as well as with the legendary Gundecha Brothers (Dhrupad vocal) and Pandit Sharda Sahai (tabla). He teaches music at William Paterson University, and tours nationally and internationally as a percussionist, singer, and speaker.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Tony Escapa! Tony Escapa the IV, was born in San Juan, PR. His father a professional pianist and mother a TV Host. It was clear at a young age that passion and talent where a part of him. At age 9 Tony started guitar lessons, but those where short lived as he found his true passion on a Yamaha drum set that was in the same studio as the lessons. Tony quickly sat on the drums and began to play away with no initial training. His father was astounded and preceded to purchase Tony a practice pad, some sticks and said: " in order to get a drum set, you have to prove to me that you will take drumming seriously ". Tony had to learn rudiments and practice for at least two hours a day to prove him self worthy of a drum set. His father however, did not really know was he was getting into only since Tony would practice not for two but from four to eight hours a day.
Tony took private lessons from some of Puerto Rico's best musicians and teachers very early. But the lessons where just like the icing on the cake since little Tony would always be by his father's side in gigs or rehearsal's with legendary artist in the business even before he could walk…That being the spark that ignited Tony's passion for music today.
Gig Alerts
Damon’s alma mater, Norwalk High School (in Norwalk, CT) is looking for instructors for their award winning marching band!
The Ari’s Take x LabelCoin showcase will take place either Wednesday - March 15, Thursday - March 16, or Friday - March 17 in Austin, TX.
This will be an official SXSW showcase listed in all official promo and listed on the official SXSW lineup. Selected artists will get SXSW official wristbands and will be paid their rate.
Damon will be playing the 11th annual Christmas Jam in New Bedford, MA at the Vault at the Greasy Luck. More info and tickets are HERE.
Product Review
Malletech has some left over demo instruments from PASIC. You can buy some at a discounted price if you’re in the market for a marimba or xylophone.
Educational Spotlight
Pasic 2023 is now accepting artist submissions. The submissions are open from Dec 5, 2022 - Jan 23, 2023. You can hop over to: http://artists.pasic.org to submit!
Virtual Pasic is up now until Dec 31st 2022. Head over to see the wide array of virtual clinics for this year.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording for this week was chosen by Payton. It is John Coltrane’s “India” from his ‘Live at the Village Vanguard’ album recorded November 1, 1961 with the late great Elvin Jones on drums.
Music News
Adam Blackstone is an award-winning musician and musical director who has worked with JAY-Z, Dr. Dre, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, and countless others. Fresh off of an Emmy win, Adam sits down with the Questlove Supreme Podcast to revisit his journey from New Jersey to Philadelphia to some of the world's biggest stages. He discusses Questlove's impact on his career, working this year's Oscars, and his new star-studded album, Legacy.
The Roots, Common, Dionne Warwick, Jack White, Elvis Costello, and 40+ artists ask Congress to pass the American Music Fairness Act.
musicFIRST, the voice for fairness and equity for music creators, has announced an additional 40+ artists, creators, and activists that have added their signatures to a recent joint letter to urge members of Congress to pass the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) — bringing the total number of signees to over 100. The AMFA is a bipartisan legislation granting creators performance royalties for using their music on AM/FM radio. -Article
Earlier this month, reports indicated that the Justice Department had launched an antitrust investigation into Live Nation (NYSE: LYV). Now, a Citigroup analyst believes there’s an 80 percent chance that the promoter and its Ticketmaster subsidiary will continue operating as a single business despite the probe. -Article
Taylor Swift fans are suing Ticketmaster over how it handled the ticket sales for ‘The Eras Tour.’
Court documents reveal that 25 plaintiffs allege Ticketmaster is in breach of contract, intentional misrepresentation, fraud, fraudulent inducement, and several antitrust violations. Plaintiffs seek a penalty of $2,500 against Ticketmaster for each violation of Business and Professions Code, section 17200. -Article
Payton MacDonald Interview
The song leading into and out of the interview is “Four Pillars of the Ghost People (feat. Mark Stone & Shawn Mativetsky)” by Payton, performed by one incarnation of the Super Marimba Group.
Payton talks about the inception and evolution of his Super Marimba project.
Payton just did some masterclasses and performances in the Detroit Michigan area with Mark Stone, Damon Grant and Shawn Mativetsky.
Payton mentions him receiving the Fulbright scholarship and being in India for a year from it.
Damon mentions some ways to get your chamber group out and playing like the American Music Abroad or Chamber Music America programs.
Here are three other sites that list various chamber music festivals around the world.
Payton talks about how the public library in Idaho helped grow his Interest in music. His parent’s record collection as also a great inspiration. He talks about listening to Ravi Shankar Live at the Monterey Pop Festival.
Shout-out to Julie Spencer and Bob Becker!
Payton studied at the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree and the Eastman School of Music for his graduate degree.
After Julie and Bob got Payton on the path of Indian classical music, he was introduced to his guru, Pandit Sharda Sahai.
Payton talks about meeting Shawn and a few of the compositions he has written for tabla.
Payton talks about how he chose the universities he attended and what he got out of the various ensembles.
Payton is now on faculty at William Patterson University.
Payton talks about how he teaches his students and prepares them for the future.
Damon mentions the grassroots group, Be An Art Hero. He also mentions the episode with Matthew Lee Erlbach.
Payton talks about his other passion, cycling and some of the things that go into that with regard to gear, and food and more!
Payton talks about the project he’s in the middle of now called Sonic Peaks.
Payton chooses the iconic recording for the week. See above for more info on the recording.
Payton uses Malletech mallets and instruments.
You can find Payton on his Website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Shout-out to William Patterson University and Payton’s students, Michael Udow, Julie Spencer, John Beck, Bob Becker, Richard Landauer, Pandit Sharda Sahai, and the Gundecha Brothers.
