#267 Mike Piolet- Drummer and Percussionist for Hamilton and More!
This episode is sponsored by Dream Cymbals.
Michael Piolet majored in Studio Music and Jazz Instrumental Performance at the University of Miami Frost School of Music where he was a Stamps Distinguished Ensemble Scholar and a member of the inaugural Stamps Jazz Quintet, Class of 2013. He studied drumset and jazz percussion privately with Steve Rucker and John Yarling. As a member of the Stamps Jazz Quintet at the Frost School of Music, he performed at the Monterey Next Generation Festival in California and the 2011 and 2012 JEN conferences in New Orleans and Louisville. He was also featured on the Stamps Jazz Quintet’s self-titled debut album on Summit Records. The Stamps Jazz Quintet was chosen as the “Jazz Group” winner in DownBeat magazine’s 34th Annual Student Music Awards in the Undergraduate Outstanding College Performances category (2011). Michael Piolet performed in a variety of other jazz groups at Frost, including the award-winning Frost Concert Jazz Band at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in Florida with flautist Nestor Torres and at Festival Miami with saxophonist Dave Liebman, both in 2012.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Piolet is regularly performed with local artists throughout South Florida when attending the University of Miami and he often returned to Chicago to perform professionally. He has performed extensively with steel pan virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas. In 2018, he moved to New York City, where he joined the touring company of Hamilton.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to Andy Akiho. Described as "mold-breaking," "alert and alive," "dramatic," and "vital" by The New York Times, Andy Akiho is an eclectic composer and performer of contemporary classical music. Recent engagements include commissioned premieres by the New York Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and Carnegie Hall's Ensemble ACJW; a performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and three concerts at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Akiho has been recognized with awards including the 2014-15 Luciano Berio Rome Prize, the 2015 Lili Boulanger Memorial Fund, a 2014 Fromm Foundation Commission from Harvard University, the 2014 American Composers Orchestra Underwood Emerging Composers Commission, a 2014 Chamber Music America (CMA) Grant with the Friction Quartet and Jenny Q Chai, a 2012 CMA Grant with Sybarite5, the 2012 Carlsbad Composer Competition Commission for the Calder Quartet, and the 2011 Finale & ensemble eighth blackbird National Composition Competition Grand Prize. Additionally, his compositions have been featured on PBS's "News Hour with Jim Lehrer" and by organizations such as Bang on a Can, American Composers Forum, and The Society for New Music.
Gig Alerts
2022 tours are looking robust as live events try for a comeback. Here’s what to expect this year and who is touring. -Article
Educational Spotlight
The educational lesson series with CongaChops and Latin Percussion is continued this week with the Bongo Bell.
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording was picked out by last week’s guest, Rob Humphreys. It is called “Carry On” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, from their album ‘Deja Vu’.
Music News
This is an article link to seven of the best books for musicians to read. If you want to feel encouraged and learn practical ways to grow your music career, check these out. -Article
The book How To Make It In The New Music Business is in this list and written by friend of the show, Ari Herstand.
Musicians are complaining about their works being turned into NFTs without their permission. The website HitPiece claims to sell one-of-a-kind NFTs of artists. “Each HitPiece NFT is a one-of-one NFT for each unique song recording,” the claim states. “Members build their hitlist of their favorite songs, get on leaderboards, and receive in real life value such as access and experiences with artists.” Except HitPiece didn’t work with artists as claimed. -Article
Back in July of 2020, one month after changing their name to Lady A, the country trio formerly known as Lady Antebellum filed a trademark complaint against a Seattle-based blues singer named Anita White, who’d released music as Lady A for some time beforehand. Now, the involved parties have officially settled the Lady A lawsuit. -Article
Mike Piolet Interview
The song leading into the interview is “When Doves Cry”, performed by Drew Tucker from his album ‘Drew Tucker & the New Standard’. Mike is playing drums.
The interview starts with Damon and Mike trying to figure out where his (Mike’s) namesake is from.
The site African Ancestry is the genealogy site Damon brings up.
Mike is a Chicago White Sox fan and prefers Lou Malnati’s pizza.
Mike attended Curie Metro High School in Chicago. Shout-out to Shelley Samuels.
Shout-out to Mike’s first Jazz instructor, Tyrone Hines.
The book Damon brings up about teaching rhythms is called Teaching Rhythm by David Newell.
Mike attended a Thelonious Monk program in high school called Gallery 37 led by sax player, Jarrard Harris. A couple of special guests that came through were Bobby Watson and Antonio Hart.
Mike attended the University of Miami for college. Shout-out to the University of Miami alums who have been on this podcast, including:
Dani Markham, Brian Potts, Ney Rosauro, Geneva Harrison, Ludwig Afonso, Miguel Merino & Andy Maguire.
Pianist Martin Bejerano is responsible for introducing Mike to Alex Lacamoire. Mike read through the show Viva Broadway, El Musical with Alex.
Mike sent in an audition tape for Hamilton. While waiting to hear back, he played some gigs and did some tours with artists like Eric Lewis and Veronica Swift.
Mike got to shadow Benny Reiner in the pit on Broadway.
Mike talks about the process he went through to land the percussion touring gig for Hamilton.
Damon brings up the four stages of learning.
Mike talks about some of the other aspects of doing the Hamilton tour vs doing the show on Broadway.
Mike did some of the touring shows with Andrew Maguire and that’s were they put it together they both attended U of M.
Mike states the best Philly Cheesesteak is from Max’s.
Mike was recruited to U of M to be part of the stamps quintet.
Gabe Medd - trumpet, Dan Andrews - alto, Sam Yulsman - piano, James Suter - bass and, Michael Piolet - drums
Mike tells a story about almost missing a flight.
Mike would like to shout-out some teachers: Shelley Samuels, Tyrone Hines, Jarrard Harris, Steve Rucker, John Yarling, Steve Guerra, Daniel Susnjar, Ernie Adams, and Willie Pickens.
The song leading out of the album is "I Look for Religion in War," the second single from the album ‘Unamuno Songs and Stories’ by Dave Meder.
