#282 Dave LeBlanc- Drummer for Barnstorm, Mean Girls, Waitress & More!
The photo of Dave was taken by Manish Gosalia.
This week’s guest is Dave LeBlanc. Dave is a musician currently living in New York City. He was born and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire. He attended college at the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business where he earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. He began playing drums when he was eight years old. Both his father and grandfather were drummers. His Dad was sick in the hospital with cancer when David found his inspiration to play the drums and gave his first live performance at the fourth grade talent show. He was just nine years old when his dad passed away. From that moment on playing the drums came very natural to him and is a way for him to stay connected with his dad. Recently David has performed with his original project The Evin Baird Trio, various cover groups, and the Interlakes Summer Theatre in Meredith New Hampshire. He would like to thank his family, especially his Mom, for their continued support as he achieves his dreams.
Happy Birthday!
Happy 40th Birthday to Aaron Draper! In the Beginning: Like many young musicians-to-be, Draper gained his first exposure to live music in the church and begin to play the drums at the age of nine. As Draper started to develop his skills as a drummer, he started to branch out and play for various churches around Philly. Draper recalls in those early years learning “you got to pay attention, follow the service, stay on the beat, stay in the pocket, but also play from the heart.”
As he got older, Draper received a different kind of hands-on musical education at Gratz High School. There, Draper developed some jazz chops and began to learn theory. This time proved to be a turning point for the budding musician, (still primarily a drum set player), as he consumed not only what he was hearing in the church and in school, but also the work of musicians like Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Giovanni Hidalgo, Pancho Sanchez, Sheila E., Tito Puente, Jaco Pastorius, Weather Report, The Yellowjackets, and fellow Philadelphians Brian Moore and John Roberts. Meanwhile, radio staples like the The Winans, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson.
After high school, Draper hit the road running, foregoing college and taking various rap, jazz, and soul gigs, which eventually led to a steady job with acclaimed soul outfit Jazzyfatnastees. Draper progressively moving up the industry food chain played in local festival events with visiting rap and hip-hop artists, including Doug. E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, and Common.
Mentoring: In 2001, Draper met Questlove drummer/producer for THE ROOTS. Questlove quickly took an interest in the young musician and wrote down more than a hundred names of artists that he thought Draper should listen to and study, with James Brown at the top of the list.
Questlove left a huge impression on Draper so much so Draper was dubbed “Babyquest”. He went as far as to wear the signature Questlove afro. At this point Draper was starting his transition from drum set to percussion, and began experimenting with a percussion setup in church. Questlove took note of the transition which led to an opportunity to occasionally sub for Roots percussionist Frank Knuckles, which allowed Draper to gain some exposure as he covered dates in various cities. The more he got a chance to play out and work with bands from behind his new world – a percussion rig – the more Draper honed what would become his signature and sought-after sound on his new instrument.
Big Break: Later in 2001, Jay-Z gave Draper his biggest breakto date. The rapper/producer/music exec had noted Draper’stalent at the local rap festivals in Philadelphia, and asked the 19-year-old to join him on his MTV Unplugged appearance. Draper thought ’How’d this happen?’” One listen to “Big Pimpin’” fromJay-Z Unplugged answers his question – the fluidity in Draper’splaying is so undeniable, the cowbell and woodblock pattern soin the pocket, that you forget that you are involuntarily bobbing your head, even as Jay-Z starts chiming in with acall-to-action: “Bounce! Bounce! Bounce!” On his cut and others from the broadcast, Draperfocus is now like a seasoned player on the heartof each song, and providing that steady flow of rhythm that keeps circling back to the heart.
Everything Draper does on this track, and on the majority of the Unplugged session, revolvesaround this approach – the product of a bornlistener.
In 2005, Draper would get his second major break when he started touring with powerful soul songstress Jill Scott.Throughout the years Draper has shared the stage with other accomplished artists. Draper’s resume is brimming with high-profile gigs such as: Common; Karen Clark-Shears; LL Cool J; Eminen and Dr. Dre. Yet the percussionist remains wide-eyed and humble about his success,the exposure, and traveling the world.
In the Lab: Draper’s skills extend beyond the stage. He has proven himself as a valuable asset in the studio and has recorded with Neo-Soul artists: Jill Scott; Musiq Soul Child; and Bilal. Draper made his debut in 2011 as a producer on Jill Scott’s “Light of the Sun” album with the song entitled “I Love You”.
In Style: However, he also knows that he has something special that keeps his phone ringing. Through trial and error, going back to his church band days, through listening sessions with Questlove and his earliestgigs in Philly, Draper developed a sound that works pointedly for this particular brand of music. Andoriginality and self-awareness are hot commodities when you’re a professional.
Draper’s style, ability and energy aren’t only notice by A-list artists, but by the music industry at large. In2011 Draper was awarded “PERFORMER OF THE YEAR” by Drum Magazine.
Happy Birthday to Eric Kalb. Southpaw drummer Eric Kalb is a versatile musician who enjoys playing groove based music. A devotee of R&B and Soul drumming, his improvisational aesthetic is colored by sudden bursts of rock aggression. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Eric is a multi-faceted studio and touring drummer whose “energetic and exhilarating style” (Jazz Times) keeps him in constant demand.
Over the course of his twenty-year career Kalb has taken to both studio and stage with a dazzling cavalcade of influential and innovative artists. He’s laid it down hard for the supernatural force of Miss Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, the seven-string guitar wizardry of Charlie Hunter, jazz guitarist John Scofield and living organ Legend Dr. Lonnie Smith; to name but a few. Hunter calls Kalb’s drumming “A funky Clyde Stubblefield/ Jabo Starks kinda way of relating (to Jazz) …really cool and refreshing“. Recent recording sessions include soundtracks for the major motion pictures “American Gangster” and “Walk Hard:The Dewey Cox Story“.
Kalb’s obsession with hitting things began in his tenth year growing up with his family on Long Island, when he picked up some drum sticks and discovered what those around him had long suspected – that God made him funky. Fueled by his love for Led Zeppelin, The Stones and The Beatles, Eric focused his energies into qualifying for a coveted position at The Cultural Arts Center in Syosset, NY. It was here, under the tutelage of the late David Burns Sr. that he was introduced to Jazz and it’s history as told through Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Art Taylor. These lessons formed the very bedrock of his style and informed the trajectory of his passion.
After high school Eric took a whirlwind trip through Berklee College of Music, here he immersed himself in Latin music with the late Ed Uribe, learned through the soaring jazz drumming of John Ramsey and played with musicians from all over the world. Soon Eric was ready to leave the constraints of formal education and forge his own way ahead. Kalb formed Funk/Rock sensation Deep Banana Blackout shortly thereafter. The band scorched its way through the east Coast Jam band scene, toured with the Allman Brothers and co-billed with Maceo Parker. They still reform yearly to the enraptured chants of a dedicated crowd of followers in the North East.
In May of 2012 Kalb was the drummer for a massive recreation of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On concert at Kennedy Center in Washington DC. This concert featured John Legend, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings and The National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Steven Reineke.
Happy 50th Birthday to Bobby Allende! Born and raised in New York City, Bobby's foundation in Afro-Cuban Percussion commenced at the age of three. With the patient and constant guidance of his Uncles Angel Allende and Papiro Allende (well-respected musicians) Bobby embarked on a journey that has taken him around the world twice over. His dedication to his craft and spirited personality has earned him the respect of some of the top names in the industry. His performances with Buddy Rich on the Mike Douglas Show (age 7) and with Julio Iglesias at Madison Square Garden (age 10) helped open the doors of opportunity. At a performance at Madison Square Garden the legendary Tito Puente invited Bobby to perform alongside him. Thus, the formation of the juvenile group the "Rumberito All Stars" was born. The group continued to be the opening act for Tito Puente through 1980 and allowed Bobby to refine his craft under the supervision of a legend. Bobby moved on to work with and tour with many other Latin musicians such as Hector Lavoe, Jose Alberto "El Canario", RMM All Stars and Ruben Blades among an extensive list of many others. Later, he became the Musical Director for Willie Colon, Marc Anthony and La India. Bobby's expertise does not only limit him to the Latin Music Industry but has given him the opportunity to work with the likes of David Byrne, Grover Washington, Jr., Rodney Jones, Spyro Gyra and Marion Meadows. His versatility with Latin rhythms did not escape the sights of Paul Simon and earned him a place in the orchestra for the Broadway musical "The Capeman." It also afforded him the opportunity to continue his working relationship with Salsa/Pop performer Marc Anthony. In addition to his work with the New Santana Band, Bobby is currently the Musical Director for Tito Nieves and a member of the Grammy winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Bobby is frequently called upon as a Musical Consultant to audition and hire musicians, rehearse and create set lists for new artists. His strong musical background and almost 30 years in the entertainment business have successfully allowed him a natural progression into this role.
Gig Alerts
The Philadelphia Eagles Drumline is looking for a couple new full time and alternate members to join the Drumline this season for Snare, Tenor, Bass and Cymbals. If interested, please fill out this form and submit an audition video using the instructions below. Deadline is 6/1/2022. -FILL THIS OUT!
Damon will be speaking at the DIY Musician Conference in Austin, TX from August 26-28 (Damon’s birthday is the 28th). He will also be doing a live podcast interview with a very special guest.
To find out more details and get reduced tickets, CLICK THIS LINK.
Other gigs Damon will be doing can be found HERE.
Educational Spotlight
Mike and Eddy are hosting a drum camp in Folsom, CA. Just email amber@mikeslessons.com.
Benny Greb and Chris Coleman are hosting a drum camp in Germany.
Iconic Recording
Dave picked “Bring On The Night/When The World Is Running Down” by Sting from his live album from 1985.
There is also a documentary that goes with this album.
The personnel is:
Sting – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars, double bass on "I Burn for You"
Kenny Kirkland – keyboards
Darryl Jones – bass guitar
Omar Hakim – drums, electronic percussion, backing vocals
Branford Marsalis – saxophones, clarinet, rap, percussion
Janice Pendarvis – backing vocals
Dolette McDonald – backing vocals
Honorable Mention is the album “New Moon Shine” by James Taylor.
This album has three drummers on it. Steve Jordan, Steve Gadd and Carlos Vega. Percussion is played by Don Alias.
Music News
Apple has announced a new concert live-stream series called ‘Apple Music Live’ with Harry Styles as its first artist.
The series kicks off on May 20th with a live stream of Harry Styles’ “One Night Only in New York” performance. The concert will be available to stream exclusively for Apple Music subscribers. This is just one of Apple’s latest movies in its bid to set Apple Music apart from rival services like Spotify. -Article
Congress wrote its pandemic relief laws to exclude publicly traded companies like Live Nation. But Live Nation subsidiaries received over $19 million in COVID relief.
The Washington Post reports that the parameters set up by Congress and the Small Business Administration allowed several Live Nation subsidiaries to collect COVID relief funds. In total, nearly $19 million dollars went to firms listed as subsidiaries of the company on its 2022 securities filings. It’s important to note that the grants do not appear to have violated the law or any rules set up by the SBA to disburse funds during the pandemic. -Article
Dave LeBLanc Interview
The song leading into the interview is “We're So Good “ by Cameron Mitchell from his ‘Masquerades & Grand Parades’ album.
Dave is from New England, specifically Nashua, NH.
Damon first met Dave at one of the After Party events at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC.
Shout-out to Ryan Vaughn.
Damon and Dave talk about “playing the record” and the responsibilities of a percussionist vs. a drummer.
Dave got to sub on the Waitress show on broadway before it closed.
Shout-out to Jon Epcar.
Dave mentions playing with The Barnstorm.
Dave talks about playing a broadway show and getting in the rotation to be able to get a broadway gig.
Here are two articles that go into more depth about getting a broadway gig.
Shout-out to Meg Zervoulis.
Dave talks about being well rounded and knowing multiple styles and genres.
Dave Attended UNH Whittemore School of Business and he earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.
Dave studied with Les Harris Jr.
Dave brings up the Alan Dawson lessons.
Dave talks about moving to NYC and getting situated with a tech job first before music.
Dave brings up his country roots and mentions Garth Brooks’ “Ropin’ the Wind”.
Damon brings up Chris Gaines.
Dave’s Dad and Grandfather were both drummers.
Dave’s Dad passed of cancer when he was 9. Dave and Damon talk about the Jimmy Fund and all they do.
Shout-out to Ken Anderson.
Damon brings up the Pan Mass Challenge and Team Vic!
Dave studied with Charles Davis as a kid.
Dave got to travel to Korea with his Grandfather.
Dave has found a family in Experience Camps. Dave mentions the Malcolm Gladwell book, ‘David vs. Goliath’.
Dave is an educator. Reach out to him if you are interested in lessons: daveleblancdrums@gmail.com.
Dave picks out the iconic recording and you can find those above.
Damon talks about Omar Hakim at the Zildjian Live taping.
Shout-out to Jamie Allegre.
Damon talks about this Steve Jordan meme
Dave mentions THIS STEVE JORDAN VIDEO.
Dave shouts-out Michael Carvin.
Dave has been using Yamaha drums (with a Ludwig Black Beauty snare), Sabian cymbals, and Vater sticks on the current Mean Girls tour.
Shout-out to Mike Nappi and Randy Schrager.
You can follow Dave on forthcoming Website, Facebook, and Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is the single “Black Snow” by Strange Anatomy.
