#279 Ivan Llanes- Percussionist for Nella, Matthew Whitaker, People of Earth and More!
This episode is sponsored by Dream Cymbals. They have some upcoming Tasting Tour Dates (below).
This week’s guest is Ivan Llanes. Ivan was born on December 30, 1985 in Camaguey, Cuba. At an early age, he began to show interest in music. He began his musical studies at age 10, at the Vocational School of art in his province of Luis Casas Romero. At age 13 he joined the orchestra "Estrellitas de la Charanga" participating in the "National Festival of Charanga Orchestra" in Palma Soriano on two separate occasions. Llanes then continued his studies at the Jose White Conservatory at the age of 15, were he received numerous awards as part of the competitive educational programs.
After the United States tour (2011) with Maraca, he began to focus on developing his musical career and decided to live in the U.S., he made his way to New York in February 2012, where he could evolve alongside a melding pot of the world's top musicians and artists. Since then, Llanes has become and indispensable member of the Latin and Latin Jazz communities, respectively. He has performed alongside numerous renowned artists including Descemer Bueno, Marlow Rosado, Carlos Vives, JenCarlos Canela, Xiomara Laugart, Raul Paz, Jesus Diaz, MTG ALL STARS, Franci Vazquez, Mario "Mayito"Rivera, Jose Pepito Gomez, Tirso Duarte, Michel Herrera, Jorge Luis Pacheco, Miguelo Valdez, among many others. Also started to collaborate in the American scene with Hank Lane Music and Production Company, Singing and playing percussion.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Jim Keltner! Jim is best known for his session work on solo recordings by three of The Beatles, working often with George Harrison, John Lennon (including Lennon solo albums, as well as albums released both by the Plastic Ono Band and Yoko Ono), and Ringo Starr.
He and Starr were the drummers on the Concert for Bangladesh, rock music's first charity benefit, initiated by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, in August 1971 at Madison Square Garden in New York; he also performed at the Garden in 1972 for John Lennon's "One To One" benefit for the Willowbrook State School.
Jim Keltner started out in jazz, although his first session was recording "She's Just My Style" for the pop group Gary Lewis and the Playboys.
In addition to his work with three of the Beatles, Keltner, as a free-lance drummer, has also worked with Leon Russell, Gabor Szabo, Delaney Bramlett, Roy Orbison, Harry Nilsson, Jerry Garcia, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Joe Cocker, Van Dyke Parks, the Rolling Stones, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Brian Wilson, Seals and Crofts, The Ramones, Bill Frisell, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Phil Keaggy, Steve Jones, Crowded House, Fiona Apple, Elvis Costello, The Bee Gees, Jackson Browne, The Manhattan Transfer, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, Sam Phillips, Los Lobos, Pink Floyd, Warren Zevon, Rufus Wainwright, Tom Petty, Gillian Welch, the Steve Miller Band, Alice Cooper, Sheryl Crow and Lucinda Williams among many others.
He is featured on Carly Simon's 1971 album, Anticipation. In 1973, Keltner was the session drummer on Bob Dylan's Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, which includes the hit "Knockin' on Heaven's Door". Keltner says that session "was a monumental session for me because it was such a touching song, it was the first time I actually cried when I was playing".
In the late 1980s, Keltner toured with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band. He also played drums on both albums released by the 1980s supergroup, the Traveling Wilburys, playing under the pseudonym Buster Sidebury.
He has specialized in R&B, and is said to have influenced Jeff Porcaro and Danny Seraphine of Chicago.
His drumming style typically melds deceptively simple drum patterns and a casual, loose feel with extraordinary precision. Demonstrations of his style and range can be found from "Jealous Guy" on John Lennon's Imagine, the hit single "Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright, "Josie" on Aja by Steely Dan, "Watching the River Flow" by Bob Dylan and The Thorns' debut, in which he sensitively accompanies Matthew Sweet, Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins. Keltner performed on many classic recordings by J. J. Cale, and often worked with bassist Tim Drummond.
In 1987, Keltner, along with guitarist Ry Cooder, and bassist Nick Lowe played on John Hiatt's Bring the Family. Four years later, the four musicians reunited as the band Little Village, recording an eponymously-named album.
Happy Birthday to Daniel Sadownick. Bronx native Daniel Sadownick earned a Master's Degree in Musical Education at New York University, where he also studied composition. He then went on to study privately with percussion masters Andrew Cyrille, John Amira and the late, great Frankie Malabe.
After graduating, Daniel Sadownick toured with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra for two years. It was here that Daniel made numerous contacts that would lead to tours and recordings with jazz greats such as: Michael Brecker, Dennis Chambers, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Nat Adderley, George Coleman, Dianne Reeves, Carl Allen, Nnenna Freelon, Dewey Redman and many others.
A versatile percussionist that does not limit himself to one genre, Daniel has spent the last few years touring and recording with such diverse artists as: Steely Dan, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Idol, Tony, Toni Tone', Maxwell, Angie Stone and Me'shell Ndege'Ocello. Daniel is also a member of the New York based cult band the Screaming Headless Torsos, who were listed as one of the top ten bands in America in the February 1996 issue of Musician Magazine.
Recently, Daniel premiered his own project, which is called Function Over Structure. It features all original compositions as well as showcasing the utilization of percussion in a "straight-ahead jazz context." Daniel feels that percussion in jazz at this present stage seems to be limited to a certain style that does not included all the possibilities of the instruments. "I want to include all my influences when I play jazz. That runs the gamut from the Art Ensemble of Chicago to Joe Zawinul; from Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa.
These musicians were torchbearers and pioneers. "I hope that my contributions make a statement that is parallel to these exceptional artists. They were consistent in their commitment to bring passion, intensity, and soul to their music."
Daniel also teaches private studies in percussion and is a faculty member of New York University.
Daniel states that "Living in New York City is a blessing. Being a cultural center one has access to the many different peoples and music that cover the range of the globe; Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Rock, Fusion - it's all here in this beautiful city.
I feel lucky to have been born and raised here."
Happy Birthday to Ron Powell. Ron is a skilled percussionist, accomplished musician, clinician, author and exciting performer. He has toured the world since 1978 and has worked with over a hundred great artists, the most notable being, Madonna, Kenny G., Diana Ross, Sergio Mendes and most recently Brian Hughes.
Through his experience with Sergio, Ron learned the intricacies of Brazilian percussion. He has also played with Tania Maria, Oscar Castro-Neves, and his own band, L.A. Samba, and made special appearances with Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, Djavan and Samba School Villa Isabelle. Ron's versatility and showmanship have made him one of the most sought after percussionists in the world.
Ron is well studied in Afro-Latin percussion and has performed with Santana, El Chicano and Miami Sound Machine, Earth Wind & Fire, Black Eyed Peas, Rascal Flatts, and many others.
Ron has participated in many music related projects, which include the coordination of the African drum section of the Lion King Parade at Disneyland in California. He attributes his success in the music industry to his love for performing, sharing percussion and music.
Ron's equipment list changes with each playing situation, however he feels that LP is the only company with the variety and quality of instruments to fulfill his needs. Ron has been an LP artist for over 30 years.
Happy Birthday to Marcos Lopez. Marcos is one of the most promising multi-genre percussionists that broke through the music scene out of his native Puerto Rico. He's armed with a reputation for his profound ability to transition seamlessly between diverse styles with great precision, thanks to a history of great and abundant influences from every part of the world. Marcos is leading an inspiring movement among the musicians of this time that has broad implications for the modern percussion performers.
Lopez began to make his path known with the salsa group N’Klabe. Following its inception, he has become unstoppable. He has toured and performed with figures like Cuban superstar Issac Delgado, Puerto Rican all-stars Wisin & Yandel and salsa veterans like Victor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tony Vega, Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, La India and Tito Nieves in venues like the Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center and the Carnegie Hall. Marcos has also appeared in ABC’s Good Morning America and the Late Night Show with Seth Meyers along pop duo Karmin.
As a Berklee College of Music alumni and after only 4 years as a New Yorker, Marcos Lopez has expanded his frontiers as a percussionist. He has appeared in countless recordings, including his contribution and featuring in major studio projects including Ceremony with Nea jazz master Dave Liebman, which was released in November 2014 and Maldades with Grammy winning artists Humberto Ramirez and Oskar Cartaya, released in 2015. He has become a member of the Max Weinberg Orchestra and has also been on tour with Multi-Grammy award winner Lila Downs, superstar Thalia as well as with the Grammy nominee band Plena Libre.
Thanks to family influences, including his grandfather Sammy Ayala, who was one of the founders of Cortijo y su Combo, Marcos began playing caribbean percussion instruments at age two. At age seven, he got into the Conservatory of Music in Puerto Rico and at age twelve he was accepted in the Escuela Libre de Musica where he trained in classical percussion, graduating in 2006. Within that time, in 2005, he won a full scholarship from Berklee College of Music, from which he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Music Business & Management in 2011.
While at Berklee, Marcos was part of “La Timbistica”, a group of Latin Jazz with worldwide influences that represented the talent of the renowned college. They headlined the Heineken Jazz Fest in Puerto Rico, the Monterey Jazz Fest in California, the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington D.C, the Saratoga Jazz Festival in NY,and many more. They were awarded Downbeat Magazine’s 2008 Jazz Group of the Year Award in the collegiate category.
As an educator, he has given percussion clinics and performances at The Montreal Drum Fest, PASIC, Berklee College of Music and in the Percussion Festival in The Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.
Marcos is continually working to reach new levels, musically and artistically. His evolution rests on a solid foundation layered with diligence and a strong work ethic that has been nourished by all his years in the music industry. These qualities manifest themselves in a form of professionalism rarely found in musicians his age and make him a treasure among the percussionists of this era.
Happy Birthday to Dominique Thomas. Dom is a dedicated percussionist from Philadelphia who began to travel & study percussion at the age of 14. He and his mom traveled to Senegal & Mali West Africa to study drum and dance with the National Ballet of Mali along with other masters. He then attended Berklee college of Music to further his studies.
Teachers He continued to learn under some of the greatest players such as Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio Hernendez, and great friend and mentor Doc Gibbs of the “Emeril Live” cooking show.
Experience Dom has played with a number of groups and bands in and around the tri-state area, starting with his mother as the lead drummer of a West African drum and dance group called “Kuumba”. He later toured with the Apollo Circus of Soul band as the percussionist. Continuing on his journey Dom has played with some of the top hip/hop & R&B artist such as Questlove & Black Thought from the Legendary Roots Crew, Mos Def, Raheem DeVaughn, K’Jon, Syleena Johnson, Kindred The Family Soul, touring and performing on “Dancing with the stars & Jay Leno” with Grammy award winning R&B singer Maxwell, ended 2013 on a 16 city tour with Grammy nominated R&B artist Jaheim. In 2014 also performed in Johannesburg, South Africa with Jaheim. In 2015 played on “Jimmy Kimmel” & Centric presents the “Soul Train Awards” with Philly’s own Jill Scott, all which landed me a full time spot as her percussionist. In March 2016 he also landed the position playing for Eminem and did the 2016 South American Lollapalooza Tour. The entire summer of 2016 we toured Europe (North Sea Jazz Festival) & the US with Jill Scott also doing shows in Tokyo, Japan. October 2016 performed on the Ellen Degeneres show with John Legend which landed me the full time percussion position. In 2017 I toured more than half the year starting in the U.S., Europe, and South Africa with John Legend as well as doing a show in Hawaii while finishing the year touring with Jill Scott. February 2018 we did the Dubai jazz festival with John Legend as well as a month long Asia tour. We also did U.S. tour with Jill Scott and currently gearing up for a end of the year/U.S. Christmas tour with John Legend.
Happy Birthday to Weedie Braimah. Weedie is a young premiere master of the djembe. He began his career at the early age of two, born in Ghana, where he was first introduced to West African culture and drumming. In East St. Louis, which is considered home for Braimah, he began his life long quest and professional career in the study of cultural music of the diasporas. A maverick performer of the highest caliber, Braimah has an almost insatiable knack to draw the entire audience into his grove, zigzagging through Africa on a breathtaking rhythmic roller coaster.
Braimah comes from a long lineage of musicians; including his mother, a respected jazz drummer and his father, a world renowned composer and master drummer. Having studied with the greats such as Mamady Keita, Famadou Konate, Abdoul Doumbia, and Fadouba Oulare just to name a few, it was no surprise that Braimah excelled musically and became well known on the drum and dance circuit. Braimah has been a performer, teacher and preserver of African culture for over 20 years and continues to peruse new musical journeys every day.
Gig Alerts
The Napa Blue Note Jazz Festival is sold out, BUT you can get on THE WAITLIST.
Carnegie Hall has announced its full comeback season for 2022 through 2023, with over 150 concerts scheduled.
“Since Carnegie hall re-opened from its extended closure seven months ago, it has been inspiring to see how much it has meant to artists, audiences, trustees, supporters, and staff to come together and enjoy live performances by amazing artists from all around the world,” says Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director. -Article
Damon has some upcoming gigs in Fairfield, CT as well as Mattapoisett, MA and Nantucket, MA.
Educational Spotlight
The educational spotlight this week is from the Percussive Arts Society.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was picked out by Ivan. It is “El Cantinero” by Charanga Habanera from the ‘Charanguero Mayor’ album.
Product Review
Developed in partnership with Klangmacherei, the MiniMuff external damper mounts on to the drum rim via a secure isolated clip. The amount of damping is variable by adding or removing weight.
This was introduced to Damon by Florian of the Online Lessons site.
Music News
Dolly Parton has announced a change of heart on being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame if her fans were to vote her in.
The country music star had previously stated that she had not yet “earned the right” to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but in her recent interview with NPR’s Morning Edition about her new book, “Run, Rose, Run,” she shared that she had changed her mind. -Article
Live Nation is bringing back Concert Week, offering live music fans access to shows for just $25. Here’s the details.
Concert Week offers access to more than 3,700 shows across the United States. The week-long program celebrates one of the most exciting years for live music and the return of the summer concert season. Ticket offers include performances in clubs, theaters, amphitheaters, arenas, and stadiums. A large variety of musical acts across genres including hip-hop, country, latin, metal, pop, rock, and more are included.
Artists include but are not limited to Backstreet Boys, Dierks Bentley, Erich Church, Halsey, H.E.R., Imagine Dragons, John Legend, Machine Gun Kelly, Nelly, OneRepublic, Shawn Mendes, The Chicks, The Who, Wiz Khalifa & Logic, Wu-Tang Clan & Nas, Zac Brown Band, and many more. -Article
Ivan Llanes Interview
The song leading into the interview is from the “Mini Solo” video below.
Ivan did one other percussion podcast with Latin Percussion.
Ivan was rehearsing with Nella (aka Marianella Rojas) when things shut down for the pandemic.
Damon and Ivan met in person at Rockwood Music Hall for one of The After Party events.
Ivan is from Camaguey, Cuba. He listened to a lot of the radio, mostly Havana based stations.
Ivan studied percussion in school in Cuba. He started singing when he arrived in NYC.
Ivan started with classical percussion in elementary school and later learned Cuban popular music.
He talks about the struggle to get outside music. He mentions it was easier to get North American popular music once he got to Havana.
Ivan toured with Orlando “Maraca” Valle.
Ivan’s favorite instrument is the timbales.
Some of his influences are Samuel Formell (Los Van Van), Rociel Riveron (Manolito y su Trabuco).
Ivan talks about the band David Calzado y su Charanga Habanera and the conga player, Orlando Mangual.
Ivan lead a band called “The Cuban Way”. He talks about the video that was the precursor to that band.
Gabriel Globus-Hoenich reached out to have Ivan in the P.O.E. (People of Earth) ensemble, where he sings. They just did a commission with (friend of the show) Dafnis Prieto.
Ivan has a production group with his wife, Tainnã Chagas, called Aiale Productions. They do everything from planning events to children’s clinics and more.
Damon mentions the creative and educational videos Ivan has been doing that he started in the pandemic.
Ivan uses an app called In Shot for his social media videos.
Ivan has an album in the works. Stay tuned for that!
Damon brings up the article Daniel Eck wrote about musicians creating content.
Ivan currently has a sing out called “Ella”.
Damon mentions the submission deadlines for the Grammys.
Ivan has been playing with Matthew Whitaker and Arturo O’Farrill.
Shout-out to Keisel Jimenez.
Ivan says Cuban food in the NYC area is underrated. Ivan enjoys the Rumba Cubana restaurant.
Ivan says, with people posting all of their successes, something people wouldn’t realize about the music industry is how challenging it is.
Ivan describes the instruments in his rig.
Shout-out to (friends of the show) Taku Hirano and Keita Ogawa.
Ivan talks about his hybrid percussion kit.
He also talks about his Timbalkit setup.
Ivan uses Latin Percussion instruments, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets. Shout-out to Zildjian Cymbals.
You can follow Ivan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
