#294 Joby Burgess- Percussionist, Session Musician, Composer and More!
This week’s guest is Joby Burgess. One of Britain’s most diverse percussionists, Joby is equally at home performing with Peter Gabriel at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and The Who at Wembley Stadium as reimagining Blade Runner at Sydney Opera House and Ibiza Classics at the Royal Albert Hall.
Known for his virtuosic performances, Joby’s solo projects Powerplant and Pioneers of Percussion have taken him from Berghain, Berlin to SESC Pompéia, São Paulo. Recent releases for Signum include Gabriel Prokofiev’s ‘Concerto for Bass Drum’ and Eric Whitacre’s ‘Marimba Quartets’.
Often found at Abbey Road and Air Studios, Joby’s playing can be heard on major film and TV scores, notably leading the percussion sections on Black Panther, Rocketman, Ad Astra, Mission: Impossible, The Darkest Hour, Dr Who and The Green Planet.
In demand as an educationalist, Joby created the Virtual Marimba Choir, which brought together 227 percussionists from around the world during Spring 2020.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Dave Fox! Dave is an accomplished, versatile drummer who has performed and recorded with a wide variety of acts in a number of genres all over New England, nationally and abroad. He is currently a full-time member of The Gravel Project, Andrew Stern’s “AS3” and legendary Boston Rock act The Stompers.
As a sideman for over two decades, he has performed with a diverse group of artists including Tom Hambridge and The Rattlesnakes, Jerry Bergonzi, Josh Smith, David Tronzo, David Amram, Charles Neville, Stan Strickland, Phil Grenadier and Bruno Råberg.
Dave is, as ever, committed to moving ahead with his craft, sound and teaching practice while continuing to enjoy working with his students and ensembles at Indian Hill Music Center (Littleton, MA) and MJ’s Music School (Waltham, MA).
Happy Birthday to Zach Jones. Zach is a drummer, singer, songwriter, and producer from Brooklyn, NY. Zach has performed and recorded with artists such as Sting, Ingrid Michaelson, A Great Big World, Elle King, and many more. He also writes and records music with his own group, Zach Jones & the Tricky Bits. Keep up with him on Instagram at @zachjonesmusic.
Happy Birthday to Ryan Lacey of Gaelic Storm. Ryan invented a product called Eucatape!
Eucatape Drumming Tape by Drum Nerd synergistically heals, protects, and strengthens your hands while drumming and allows more touch sensitivity with your drum sticks than traditional drum gloves.
HEALS – Eucatape is infused with great smelling Eucalyptus oils that help soothe your hands of existing blisters, cracks, or cuts with its natural anti-inflammatory properties and leaves your hands feeling soft with no sticky residue.
PROTECTS – Eucatape features durable fabric tape that protects your hands from blisters and gives you a better grip without any slip whether you’re rocking out on your drum set or using your hands for Latin, Jazz, African, Conga, Cajon, and other percussion instruments.
BETTER – A traditional drum glove can be hot, uncomfortable, wear out quickly, and throw off your style (unless you’re looking for the marching uniform look). Eucatape not only heals and protects your hands when using drum sticks or hand drumming, but also LOOKS AND FEELS cooler.
Happy Birthday to Michito Sanchez. Michito is one of Los Angeles’ top studio and live percussionists, has a unique ability to create an atmosphere from the Amazon or just groove on a Shaker or Cowbell. Michito also applies his knowledge of Conga drum techniques to other world percussion instruments, simplifying or intensifying intricate world beat rhythms to fit in today’s sound of Pop, Rock, R & B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, etc. situations. Aside from the standard, Michito has gathered hundreds of Percussion Instruments from around the globe, which he utilizes with a virtuosity that enhances any musical situation making it a true experience. Michito envelopes his performance with a great attitude and creative energy.
Happy Birthday to Jeff Queen. Jeff has been involved with percussion since the age of 10. At the age of 15, Jeff began his drum corps career with the Canton Bluecoats and continued on to march with the Velvet Knights, Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Knights and the University of North Texas. Jeff was the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble Snare Drum Champion in 1994 and 1995 as well as the Percussive Arts Society Individual Snare Drum Champion in 1994 and 1995. Jeff has taught in the drum corps activity for over 15 years, including being the caption head for the Carolina Crown drum and bugle corps from 2003-04, percussion arranger for the Colts Drum and Bugle corps for 2007-08.
Jeff is an original cast member of the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway Show "BLAST" where he was a solo performer and battery instructor from 1999–2003. Jeff has performed across the US, Europe and Asia. In addition Jeff has appeared on numerous Television shows including: The Late Show with David Letterman, The Kennedy Center Honors 2000, NBA All-Star Game 2001, Grey Cup 2007, “BLAST”, and “The Making of Blast” on PBS DVD and Video.
Queen is the author of The Next Level: Rudimental Drumming Techniques available through Jeff Queen Productions and Playing With Sticks, a more than 3-hour instructional DVD through Hudson Music. More of Jeff’s compositions are available through Drop6 Media, Tapspace Publications, and jeffqueen.com. Jeff is a signature artist for Vic Firth Drumsticks and proudly endorses Pearl Drums, Evans Drumheads and Zildjian cymbals.
Jeff holds his BM in Music Theory and Composition and MM in Percussion Performance from Butler University. Currently, Jeff is the Percussion Coordinator for Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana and is on the percussion faculty at Butler University. When not teaching at home, Jeff travels the world as an active composer, arranger, judge, clinician, and performer.
Happy Birthday to Blair Sinta. Blair is a drummer in Los Angeles. He has toured and recorded with Alanis Morissette, Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cornell, Annie Lennox, Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart, Glen Ballard, Damien Rice, John Fogerty, Gwen Stefani, Better Than Ezra and many others. Blair engineers, drums and writes music from his studio “Donkey Den”. He has developed a course to learn recording drums and engineering in the age of home studios called Sticks and Wires.
Gig Alerts
Robtober returns to the Blue Note for the ULTIMATE residency through October 2022. Be sure to grab your tickets now, this will sell out!
Every night is guaranteed to be EPIC. Special guests, collaborations and concepts to be announced.
Innovative Percussion, the world’s leading manufacturer of drumsticks, keyboard mallets, and percussion products is now accepting applications for first shift (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, M-F) production associates.
FULL TIME AND PART TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE!
- No experience needed
- Employee Discount
- Health/Vision/Dental Insurance
- Paid Time Off
Must be dependable and have reliable transportation.
The Zildjian Cymbal Company is looking for a new Global Brand Manager. The Global Brand Manager will lead the Zildjian Cymbals and Gongs cross-functional team to drive the development and commercialization of innovative, new products and programs that significantly contribute to delivery against our targets for the Zildjian brand. He/She/They will also be responsible for the strategic management of our existing Zildjian Cymbals & Gongs portfolio to ensure the achievement of annual and long-term Sales and Margin targets. Success in this role will be driven by curiosity, a consumer-first mentality, drive for results, and ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional partners. -CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND DETAILS.
Educational Spotlight
Paulo Stagnaro of Conga Chops, has provided another lesson in the conga soloing course where he breaks down a Francisco Aguabella solo and transcription. The song is titled, “Mi Congo Te Llama”.
Iconic Recording
Joby picked the iconic recording for this week. It is “O Berimbau” by Naná Vasconcelos. This particular version is from ‘Don Cherry - Live At The Bracknell Jazz Festival, 1986’.
Music News
Can you imagine watching a film without music or playing a game without a backing soundtrack? Music is such an integral part of experiencing media, and it’s a music supervisor’s job to find the right song for their medium. Want To Be A Music Supervisor? Here’s What They Do - Article
Jon Batiste has announced he is departing ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ after seven years.
The bandleader of ‘The Late Show’ won several Grammys at this year’s awards show. “We’ve been so lucky to have a front row seat to John’s incredible talent for the past seven years,” Colbert said on his show announcing Baptiste’s departure. “But we’re happy for you, Jon, and I can’t wait to have you back on as a guest with your next hit record.” -Article
Shout-out to (friend of the show), Nêgah Santos who will remain as the percussionist for that band.
Louis regularly records cover videos from his home.
The FULL SCHEDULE for the CD Baby, DIY Musician Conference is up now.
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.
There is a $2,500 Songwriter Stimulus Grant available from the 100 Percenters. Applications are open from August 15-September 15th, 2022.
The Requirements are:
- Must be a professional songwriter for two years or more
- Must have at least three or more songwriting credits on allmusic.com
- Must be a U.S Citizen
- Must be a member of The 100 Percenters
- Must make under $100k a year
- Must prove income (1099 from PRO & Publisher for 2020 & 2021)
Shout-out to everyone involved in the Drum Corps International championships.
Special shout-out (especially to friend of the show Tom Rarick) to the Bluecoats for winning the drum caption.
Joby Burgess Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Love Without Hope” from Joby’s forthcoming album.
Joby is in England. The interview starts with him and Damon discussing the origin of the name Joby. “The name Joby is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "persecuted". Reduces and lightens up the Job connection even further, sounding like a lively, Jody-like nickname name.”
Joby’s dad was a lighting designer. They had a bunch of Hi-Fi recordings around the house.
Joby first wanted to play bass. He then got excited by drums and eventually wore down Mr. Hollis to be able to study them in school.
The first production Joby played was “The Elephant Man”.
Joby and Damon talk about some of the pros and cons of touring around the world.
Joby talks about one of his favorite places in Puglia, or Apulia, Italy. It is the region of southern Italy often referred to as the "heel of the boot." Much of the region is coastline with picturesque seaside towns, great beaches, and clean sea water.
Joby went to Puglia with his Ensemble Bash.
Joby talks about the Griko traditions and the Tamburello instruments that resemble a tambourine.
One of the first things Joby played on in the film and TV world was Doctor Who. Shout-out to Murray Gold, and Air Studios.
One of the first people Joby worked with was Tristan Fry.
Frank Ricotti, Gary Kettel, and Paul Clarvis, are three of the main percussionists in London on a bunch of the film scores.
Joby talks about some of the expectations of playing on a film score.
Here are some of the credits for Frank Ricotti. While Frank is on “West End Girls” by the Pet Shop Boys, the song with a bongo solo by Frank is actually “Shattered Dreams” by Johnny Hates Jazz.
Here are four parts to a lengthy article about getting music in films.
Joby performed on the score for Black Panther. He talks a bit about how Ludwig Göransson put together some of the music.
Joby talks about his new album, “A Percussionists Songbook”. The album is a collection of specially commissioned ‘songs without words’ from John Metcalfe, Tunde Jegede, Dario Marianelli, Yazz Ahmed, Graham Fitkin, Dobrinka Tabakova and Gabriel Prokofiev.
You can see this album performed live HERE.
Joby talks about using the Xylosynth on the album.
Shout-out to Kim Bourlet, the Marketing and Artist Liaison Manager at Signum Records.
Joby elaborates on his relationship with a few of the composers.
Joby has also recorded a percussion library. You can get MORE DETAILS AND PURCHASE IT HERE.
Joby put togther a Marimba Choir during the pandemic. it involved 227 percussionists from 40 countries. They submitted their individual performances on marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, glockenspiel, steel pan or electronic mallet synth.
Over the next 17 days Joby and his incredible team - Nick Wollage (audio mix), Jack Mills (audio editing and mix preparation) and Howie Bailey (video design) - worked tirelessly to pull the audio and video into shape to present the first ‘Virtual Marimba Choir’ performance.
Special thanks to all the percussionists who took part and those who supported them.
Joby picks the iconic recording above.
Joby uses Adams Percussion, Grover Percussion, Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, Tama Drums, Mike Balter Mallets, Vater Drumsticks, Wernick Instruments (Xylosynth), Protection Racket Cases, Marcos China Percussion Instruments, Alliard LLC Friction Harp,
Shout-out to Jayne Obradovic, Richard Benjafield, David Corkhill, and everyone else Joby has crossed paths with and been inspired by.
Special shout-out to Joby’s wife, Janey!
You can follow Joby on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is, “Throw Your Pumpkin (& Pick Me Up)” from Joby’s forthcoming album.
