#289 Joe Bergamini- Drummer, Educator, Author & More!
This episode is sponsored by Dream Cymbals. Check out some of their hand crash cymbals!
Today’s guest is Joe Bergamini. Joe maintains a diverse career as a drumming performer and educator. Enjoying various styles of playing, he is known for his progressive rock drumming in the bands Happy the Man and 4Front, and he is the current international touring drummer for The Doo-Wop Project. Based in the New York area, Joe has worked extensively on Broadway. In 2018, he held the drum chair for the Broadway production of Gettin’ the Band Back Together, and he has also performed at over 15 other shows including Movin’ Out, Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, In the Heights, Beautiful (The Carole King Musical), Hamilton, The Lion King, Million Dollar Quartet, and others. Joe has also appeared on the first national tours of Movin’ Out, Jersey Boys and Beautiful, and with major symphony orchestras including the Philly Pops and the Detroit, Nashville, Seattle, San Diego, Indianapolis and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras.
A best-selling drum set author, Joe has won four Modern Drummer Readers Poll awards for his drum books, including best drum book of 2013 for Neil Peart: Taking Center Stage. He is also the author of The Working Drummer’s Chart Book, Stewart Copeland: Drumming in The Police and Beyond, Drum Techniques of Led Zeppelin, and several other books. As the Senior Drum Editor for Hudson Music since 2009, Joe has worked closely with many of the world’s greatest drummers, acting as editor on books with Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, Steve Smith, Liberty DeVitto, Mark Guiliana, Tommy Igoe, Stanton Moore, Todd Sucherman, and many others. He is also the co-owner, with Dom Famularo, of the independent publisher Wizdom Media, with books distributed by Alfred Music. Since 2015, Joe has also been Education Consultant for Sabian, designing and directing the Sabian Education Network for drum teachers.
Recognized internationally as an educator, Joe has given hundreds of drum clinics in schools, retail stores, and conventions. He has appeared at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) multiple times, the Ultimate Drummers Weekend (Melbourne, Australia), the Cape Breton Drum Festival (Nova Scotia, Canada), KOSA (Vermont, USA), and the Sonny Emory Drum Camp (Atlanta, USA), and has done two clinic tours for Tama Drums. He has been teaching privately at his own studio for over 30 years. Among Joe’s many private students who have gone on to pro careers is world-renowned jazz drummer Mark Guiliana. Joe proudly endorses Tama drums, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Evans drumheads, Latin Percussion, and Cympad.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Bryan Carter! With a confidence reflecting an instrumental and compositional maturity that both belie his age and announce the arrival of a remarkable talent, Bryan Carter exudes what promises a highly successful career.
Shortly after completing his training at The Juilliard School in New York City and still at the very outset of his career, Carter has already played and/or recorded with many notable artists including Clark Terry, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Kenny Barron, Michael Feinstein and Kurt Elling.
Carter attended The Juilliard School as a Jazz Studies major and studied with Carl Allen and Kenny Washington. He was the recipient of the Irene Diamond Scholarship as well as the Samuel L Jackson Scholarship. While at Juilliard, Carter took a strong interest in composition, orchestration and interdivisional cross-collaborative performance.
Bryan is currently touring the world with his band, “Bryan Carter & The Young Swangers”. He also served as the house drummer for NBC’S “Maya & Marty” starring Maya Rudolph, Keenan Thompson and Martin Short. The show has featured guests including Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas, Tom Hanks, Drake, Steve Martin and Tina Fey.
Happy Birthday to Rolando Morales-Matos. Rolando is a well sought after Latin, Jazz and Classical percussionist. He is a band leader/vibraphonist/composer of Latin Jazz group Rolando Morales-Matos & Forward. He has toured worldwide performing at the major jazz festivals and venues as a member of Ron Carter Foursight Quartet, as well as appearing with artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Dave Samuels, Dave Valentine, Willie Colon, William Cepeda, to name a few. Rolando has recorded with Ron Carter, Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Birdland Big Band, as well as numerous film soundtracks and classical works. In 2006, Rolando was the recipient of Drum Magazine's World Beat Percussionist of the Year Award. Since 1997, he has been the Percussionist and Assistant Conductor of the Tony Award- winning Broadway musical The Lion King. Rolando has developed unique vocabularies of playing melodies on non-pitched instruments such as drums, cowbells, cymbals and more. His published works include the textbook “Techniques and Basic Patterns for Congas, Timbales, and Bongos” and over 20 compositions for percussion ensemble. In 2008, Rolando released his solo album “From The Earth” featuring the Hang Drum, and most recently, his Latin Jazz group’s debut album “Forward”.
Happy birthday to Vince Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers Drumline. Vince is an active percussionist, composer, and music educator from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a 2009 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania holding a degree in Music Education studying with Michael Kingan, David Martynuik, and Jack Stamp. He also marched 4 years as a snare drummer in the IUP Marching Band and served as percussion arranger for the ensemble for 2 years. In 2011, Vince completed a two year tenure as Teaching Assistant in Percussion at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO where he also served as interim director of the Truman State University Percussion Ensemble. As a student a Truman, Vince obtained master’s degrees in Percussion Performance and Music Composition, studying percussion with Dr. Michael Bump as well as Kansas City Symphony percussionists Chris McLaurin and Joe Petrasek. His composition studies were with Dr. Warren Gooch.
As an active freelance performer, educator, and composer throughout the Pittsburgh area, Vince taught at and arranged for numerous percussion programs throughout Western Pennsylvania, including nearly a decade as Percussion Specialist at Gateway Senior High School. Vince was a co-founder of the Gateway High School Indoor Drumline, developing the group from its inception into a consistent WGI PSA regional finalist in the mid 2000s. From 2009 through 2011, Vince spent two seasons as a front ensemble technician for Gateway Indoor, a Percussion Independent World class indoor drumline from St. Louis, Missouri.
As a performer, Vince has performed with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Butler Symphony, Edgewood Symphony, McKeesport Symphony, and is a member of Keystone Wind Ensemble. Vince has several published compositions for solo and ensemble percussion, all available through C. Alan Publications. Vince currently resides in Pitcairn, PA, where is the elementary/junior high instrumental music director for Propel Schools at Propel Pitcairn and Propel East, and teaches private percussion lessons out of Monroeville Music Lesson Center. In addition, Vince is founder, owner, and director of The Pittsburgh Steeline, the official drumline of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.
Happy Birthday to Neil Grover! Neil W. Grover holds the distinction of performing with one of the world’s foremost orchestras (Boston Symphony) on the soundtrack for one of the most successful blockbuster movies of all time (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) and with the iconic rock band, Aerosmith.
Neil is a renowned percussionist, accomplished music educator, imaginative product innovator, and successful entrepreneur. He is the founder and president of Grover Pro Percussion Inc., a market leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of world-class percussion instruments.
At the young age of 23, Neil was appointed Principal Percussionist of the Opera Company of Boston, a position he held for seven seasons. As his career progressed, he found himself in demand for all musical genres, including symphony, chamber music, ballet, opera, and commercial recordings. Highlights of his collaborations include the Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Music from Marlboro, Indianapolis Symphony, Boston Musica Viva, and the Empire Brass. He was chosen to record the percussion tracks for Phillip Glass’ film soundtrack for Mishima. In addition, Neil appears as a Boston Pops percussionist in the hit movie Blown Away, starring Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones. He has toured with Music From Marlboro, Boston Symphony, Henry Mancini, Boston Symphony Chamber Players, and the Broadway production of The Pirates of Penzance. Since 1977, he has performed, recorded, and toured with the world-famous Boston Pops, where he has made music under the batons of Maestros Arthur Fiedler, John Williams, and Keith Lockhart.
Having performed regularly in the percussion section of the Boston Symphony for over 35 years, he has worked with Maestros Seiji Ozawa, James Levine, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Colin Davis, Charles Dutoit, Colin Davis, Neemi Jaarvi, Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Bernard Haitink. It is noteworthy that Neil has performed in over 1,500 concerts as a percussionist with the BSO & Boston Pops.
Neil’s percussive talents have been heard by thousands at renowned venues, such as Boston’s Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and festivals at Tanglewood, Hollywood Bowl, Wolf Trap, Blossom, and Ravinia. In addition, he has performed for millions of listeners through television and radio broadcasts on the NBC, CBS, NHK, PBS, A&E and NPR networks. At the request of composer John Williams, Neil joined the multi-media musical extravaganza, “Star Wars in Concert”, serving as Principal Percussionist on two legs of their North American Tour.
Neil shares his vast knowledge of professional percussion techniques and career development through educational outreach programs and publications. As one of the field’s most prolific and requested clinicians, he has given presentations at over 100 colleges and universities throughout the USA and Canada. He is equally in demand overseas, having led master classes at such venerable institutions as the Sydney Conservatory (Australia), Conservertoire de Paris, London’s Royal College of Music & Guildhall School (England), Royal Northern College of Music (UK), Royal Conservatory (Scotland), and throughout Japan, Korea, and Europe. Neil has been an invited clinician at over 50 state and international days of percussion, including the Texas Music Educators Association Conference, Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference, Iowa Bandmasters Convention, and five times at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
Neil Grover has written/co-authored five publications: Four Mallet Primer, Four Mallet Fundamentals, Art of Triangle & Tambourine Playing, Percussionist’s Cookbook, and The Art of Percussion Playing, all published by Meredith Music. He has written articles for School Band & Orchestra, Percussive Notes, and Drum Tracks.
Neil’s innovative designs and cutting edge manufacturing techniques have set a new standard for the ergonometric functionality of modern day percussion instruments. Neil and his company have been featured in many publications, including: Percussive Notes, Modern Drummer, School Band & Orchestra, Musical Merchandise Review and on two episodes of the Discovery Channel’s series How It’s Made.
Formerly the Chair of the Percussion Programs at both The Boston Conservatory and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, today, Neil’s students occupy leading positions in many top performing, educational and music business organizations.
Neil has served on the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of the Percussive Arts Society. He also served as a Trustee of the Winchester Community Music School, one of America’s top community music schools. Neil is married to Tony Nominated Broadway actress Maureen Brennan.
Gig Alerts
Damon will be speaking at the DIY Musician Conference in Austin, TX from August 26-28 (Damon’s birthday is the 28th). Other friends of the show that will be there include: Chris Robley, Cheryl B. Englehardt, Suz Paulinski, and Ari Herstand.
If you would like a preview of that conference, head over to the DIY Musician Podcast, episode 307.
The Wheels of Soul Tour is happening now with the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Los Lobos and Gabe Dixon. Two friends of the show are involved in that in Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell and Randy Schrager.
Sony Music Group’s new student scholarship program is now accepting applications through July 25.
Aspiring musicians and ambitious entrepreneurs can apply for the new Sony Music Group Global Scholars program this 2022-23 academic season. Up to 50 students will be eligible to benefit from advanced instruction and support for university assignments, structured events, and webinars connecting students with industry experts. -Article
Educational Spotlight
You can CLICK HERE to compete as a soloist or as a group by signing up for the Concert Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition, DrumLine Battle, or the Individual & Ensemble Competition at PASIC 2022.
If you would like to attend PASIC, you must first become a member of PAS.
Then you can register to attend by CLICKING HERE. Damon will be giving a clinic/performance at PASIC this November, as well as (friend of the show) Henry Cole.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was picked out by this week’s guest, Joe. He chose Al Di Meola’s version of “Señor Mouse” (by Chick Corea), from the ‘Casino’ album.
The musicians on this track are:
Al Di Meola – guitars, mandolin, percussion, hand claps
Barry Miles – keyboards, percussion
Anthony Jackson – bass guitar
Steve Gadd – drums
Eddie Colon – percussion
Mingo Lewis – percussion
Music News
“We Need to Talk About Money: Musicians Without Financial Privilege are Being Pushed Out” In our field of Western classical music, we often set the expectation with young musicians that if they are just talented enough, hard-working enough, or entrepreneurial enough, they will find themselves on a pathway to success guided by the quality of their work. But as anyone who has worked with graduating college and conservatory students knows, this is a very incomplete truth – an optimistic image that, at best, a tiny fraction of our worthy students will find to be their reality. -Article
The Complete Guide To Packing For Tour. -Article
Carlos Santana postponed the next six shows of his tour “out of an abundance of caution” for his health. Santana recently collapsed on stage due to heat exhaustion and dehydration but is said to be doing well.
Guitar legend Carlos Santana has postponed the next six shows of his Miraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire. Michael Vrionis, President of Universal Tone Management, said that the postponement was “out of an abundance of caution for the artist’s health.” -Article
Joe Bergamini Interview
The song leading into the interview is “The Wastelands Express” by 4Front from the album, ‘Malice in Wonderland’.
The episode begins with Damon and Joe talking about BBQ and food. He mentions Stix Jenkins at the Dodger game.
Damon mentions a Mister Barrington remix.
Joe has taught lots of people including Mark Guiliana.
Joe took some lessons with Dom Famularo.
Damon and Joe talk about warmups. Joe uses rubber tips on his sticks to warmup.
Joe talks about his youth and influence of rock and a radio!
Joe talks about playing rush with friends, but also playing in multiple school bands and ensembles.
Joe and Damon talk about drum solos, groove, feel , space, and more.
Joe has written a bunch of books and also talks about the bunch of transcriptions he’s done.
Joe talks about drum notation aiding in being able to read easier.
Joe talks about being a sub on broadway.
Joe plays with The Doo Wop Project. They have a special that aired on July 4th weekend.
Joe is a National Park aficionado.
Joe went to the New Jersey Institute of Technology and got a degree in architecture.
Dom Famularo helped Joe get the business side of music together and build his teaching studio.
In addition to teaching (privately and also online), he is also a consultant for the Sabian Education Network, and an editor for Hudson Music.
Joe talks about how he got involved in Hudson Music. Shout-out to Rob Wallace and Paul Segal.
Damon and Joe talk about the “off of the stage” part of the music business AFTER you have your playing together. Joe also talks about some etiquette, endorsements, investments and more.
Joe talks about patience and how to navigate some social situations.
Joe picks the iconic recording (see above). His honorable mention is “Samba Song” by Chick Corea.
Joe uses Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Tama Drums, Evans Drumheads, Latin Percussion Instruments and Cympad.
You can follow Joe on his Website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Shout-out to Hudson Music, Wizdom Media, The Late Al Miller, John Riley, David Garabaldi, and Dom Famularo.
The song leading out of the interview is “Contemporary Insanity” by Happy The Man from the album, ‘The Muse Awakens’.
