#314 Jonathan "JBlak" Troncoso- Percussionist, Educator, and More!
Photo by: Martin Cohen.
Jonathan “JBlak” Troncoso, was born into a family of musicians (including grandfather Bienvenido Troncoso -the well-known composer) in Los Mina - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 1982. Jonathan was inspired to be a musician at an early age by his father, Domingo Troncoso, a percussionist. At the age of five, he picked up his first instrument, "la tambora", and amazed his family and neighbors. Jonathan’s ease and fluidity with the instrument had been learned observing his father, a professional musician. Shortly thereafter, Jonathan began playing guira and later, bongo. Versed early on in playing percussion for popular music such as merengue, bachata, and salsa, Jonathan began playing professionally as his father’s young protégé. His musical life changed and interests shifted when Jonathan moved to New York City in 1992, at the age of 10.
Displaced by the move to New York and fascinated by the presence of live percussion on New York City streets, Jonathan began training in Afro-Cuban and Afro-Dominican traditional percussion with Manolo Mota, his first teacher in a foreign land. By 2000 Jonathan was invited to join Claudio Fortunato y Los Guedes, a well-known ensemble of Afro-Dominican traditional musicians dedicated to preserving the Dominican traditions of “los palos” for sacred and popular functions. Increasingly, Jonathan was drawn to the pulse of street-side rumbas throughout New York and began to embrace Afro-Cuban musical traditions as eagerly as he embraced the musics of the Dominican Republic. At once, he had become a child of the Hip-Hop generation in New York City, where he performed Spanish Hip-Hop and Reggeatón. As much a student of professional musicians and traditional masters in New York, as the streets, Jonathan was a sponge for culture - a characteristic that broadened his musical horizons and inspired his study and later, mastery of several instruments in the Afro-Caribbean musical traditions.
Driven by his familial influences, the teachings of numerous other master musicians and percussionists, including Florentino Mejía, Roman Diaz, Pedrito Martínez, Elio Villafranca, Pupi Insua and Boni Raposo, Jonathan has dedicated himself to the African musical traditions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Brazil. As an emerging professional musician, Jonathan is known for playing a range of Afro-Caribbean genres, including, Afro-Dominican rhythms such as Palo, Salve, Congo, Sarandunga, PriPri, Afro-Cuban Rumba, Bata, Palo, and Abakuá rhythms, Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena, two genres he embraced while collaborating with Puerto Rican percussionists Nicholas Laboy and Camilo Molina, Influenced by the dynamic interaction between his peers - namely, young Dominican, Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians in New York - Jonathan co-founded Ilú Ayé in 2003, a ground-breaking group of Afro-Caribbean percussionists dedicated to preserving and promoting the sacred and popular drumming traditions of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Jonathan is respected for his versatility and willingness to learn and experiment with fusions of different genres and rhythms. This versatility has propelled him to the stage with several well-established groups, including Raíces Habaneras, and Pedrito Martínez Group. Jonathan also collaborated with Elio Villafranca on the album Cinque which also allowed him to showcase the Afro Dominican drums at Lincoln Center. He has also freelanced with groups and artists such as Yosvanny Terry, Bámbula, Marassa, Oriki Omi Odara, Yerbabuena, Palo Monte, La 21 División and Alma Moyo. He continues to collaborate with musicians and noted musical ensembles throughout New York City. Jonathan’s career continues to expand to new venues and outlets. In early 2005, Jonathan was featured on NBC’s Third Watch. Currently you can see Jonathan on stage with Yasser Tejeda & Palotré a Afro Dominican fusion band, performing their latest musical production, Kijombo.
Jonathan lives in the Bronx N.Y. where he continues to collaborate with local artists, and broaden his own creative pursuits.)
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday to Matthew Lee Erlbach! Matthew-Lee is a writer, actor, and filmmaker from Chicago and New York, whose work largely focuses on erased histories as well as the impact of technological revolutions on capital, labor, race, spirituality, and democratic movements. He also writes comedy. It’s dark. He loves pudding.
A proud graduate of the public school system from K-College, Matthew-Lee created a writing program for single mothers transitioning out of homelessness and prison and is a team leader for Habitat for Humanity, locally and globally. He is the Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the Arts Hero campaign and co-founder of Arts Workers United, where he is lobbying for a landmark Arts & Culture worker relief bill he co-wrote, called the DAWN (Defend Arts Workers Now) Act.
For his organizing, activism, and policy work on behalf of Arts Workers, he has been interviewed/featured in multiple national media outlets including NPR, MSNBC, CNN, PBS, WGN, Washington Post, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Reader, and Playbill, among others. He is also an advocate for ethical AI and ethical transhumanism.
He has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Laurents/Hatcher Foundation, Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, Puffin Foundation, was a member of Ars Nova's Play Group, MVMNT Theatre’s Play Group, is a HUMANITAS New Voices recipient, and is a proud member of the Dramatist’s Guild, WGA, and SAG-AFTRA.
Matthew is the co-founder of Be An Arts Hero.
Happy birthday to Amaury Acosta! Amaury (aka King Klave) is a Cuban American Drummer, Producer, Composer, & Educator. He authentically blends his Afro-Cuban roots with the various Musical influences he experienced growing up in Hell's Kitchen NYC! Amaury Acosta (aka King Klave) is a Cuban American Drummer, Producer, Composer, & Educator.
Happy Birthday to Terence F. Clark! Terence is a Memphis based drummer, producer and overall creative. Known for his impeccable and soulful performances, his professionalism and discipline of craft, Terence has traveled the world building relationships with and through music. As Terence finds inspiration in his travels and engaging other cultures, he always lends inspiration with his unique brand of performance, solid groove and musical knowledge and excellence. It's always been more than “just about the music”, to Terence; it's about creating the very best and discovering a community of artists with which to learn from and create with along the way.
Terence began to dream about making music at the age of two. His father, Marc Clark, an organist and pianist and grandfather Loyce F. Clark, a guitarist and legendary quartet vocalist, became his early mentors along with music producers, Kevin Paige and Niko Lyras. Terence developed the gritty elements of his style while playing with local bands on Beale Street. Those experiences stirred up his love for the city’s music legacy and heartbeat of all musical forms. His professional career has spanned from touring nationally and internationally as well as recording with an eclectic array of artists of many genres. He currently tours with the legendary, Robert Cray Band. A musical education and real-life experiences have refined his talents.
Terence is also a Producer and Co-Founder of The Undertone Collective, a production company that enables artists by providing a vast range of media and production services. He's passionate about furthering the legendary music that Memphis has always heralded, while creating a support and resource system for new and experiences artists. Terence is currently mentored by David Porter, Tommy Sims, James Waddell, and Steve Jordan. His musical inspiration stems from the likes of Steve Jordan, Al Jackson Jr., Howard Grimes, Steve Gadd, Tony Williams, Dennis Chambers, William Kennedy, Dan Needham, Dave Weckl, Marvin McQuitty, and Austin Bradley.
Working with Terence means working with an artist whose creativity and versatility are only matched by his personal warmth and dedication to the project. His passion is not only for the art, but for the artist.
Happy birthday to Neil Larrivee! Neil is the Vice President of Mission Advancement for Music for All. Mr. Larrivee will play a crucial part of Music for All’s current efforts to lead through the challenging times of the pandemic with new and expanded fundraising efforts through donations, grants, and new sponsorships. Looking forward, Mr. Larrivee’s vast experience and knowledge of the music industry will help support a strong Music for All long into the future.
Mr. Larrivee was the Vice President of Drumstick & Mallet Innovation for the Avedis Zildjian Company. For 34 years, Neil played a unique role in the overall growth of Vic Firth while also coordinating its music industry leading education program. In 2016, he was responsible for bringing together both the Zildjian and Vic Firth Education staffs into a single, fully integrated department. Most recently he was responsible for drumstick and mallet product innovation for Zildjian, Vic Firth & Mike Balter Mallet brands.
Outside of Zildjian, Neil has over 40 years of music teaching experience within the marching band, drum corps, and indoor marching percussion activities as well as private lesson instruction resulting in his induction into The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, Winter Guard International, Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame.
Neil is an active clinician and adjudicator in the marching band and indoor percussion arena. As an avid concert attendee, Neil will often be found taking in live performances of jazz, orchestral, or contemporary chamber music in Boston or wherever his travels may take him.
“With a decorated multi-decade career in the music education and business world, Neil will be a resource for all facets of Music for All, which includes the shouldering of responsibilities which will allow others to shift focus as we retool MFA for the realities of the years to come,” said Jeremy L. Earnhart, President and CEO of Music for All.
Headquartered in downtown Indianapolis, Music for All is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that uniquely combines regional and national music education programming with awareness and advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring and expanding access to music in schools and communities.
Happy birthday to Paul Wertico! Hailed in the press as "One of the most versatile and musical drummers in music today", Paul Wertico was born January 5, 1953 in Chicago. He gained worldwide recognition as a member of the Pat Metheny Group from 1983 to 2001. During his tenure with Metheny, Wertico played on ten recordings and four videos, appeared on numerous television shows, and frequently toured around the world. He also won seven Grammy Awards (for "Best Jazz Fusion Performance," "Best Contemporary Jazz Performance," and "Best Rock Instrumental Performance"), magazine polls, and received several gold records.
In recent years, Wertico has continued to tour and perform around the world, as well as around the Chicago metropolitan area, where he is based. This led to the creation of his own band (the Paul Wertico Trio) and collaborations with jazz notables such as Larry Coryell, Kurt Elling, and Jeff Berlin. These collaborations enabled Wertico to be featured on group recordings in a variety of musical genres, and also gave him an opportunity to produce records. In 2009, Wertico's trio joined forces with Marbin, which consisted of Israeli musicians Danny Markovitch (saxophone) and Dani Rabin (guitar). The group performed as Paul Wertico's Mid-East/Mid-West Alliance, and recorded an album for the Chicago Sessions label that received accolades from publications such as the Chicago Tribune, DRUM!, and Modern Drummer. Wertico's current group is Wertico Cain & Gray, featuring multi-instrumentalists David Cain and Larry Gray. A 2013 recording by Wertico Cain & Gray, entitled Sound Portraits, won "Best Live Performance Album" in the 13th Annual Independent Music Awards (2014).
When not touring, Wertico divides his career doing session work, producing, composing, and leading his own groups, as well as teaching. Among the musicians he has played with are: Eddie Harris, Lee Konitz, Dave Liebman, Sam Rivers, Bob Mintzer, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco, Roscoe Mitchell, Evan Parker, Jay McShann, Herbie Mann, Randy Brecker, Jerry Goodman, Ramsey Lewis, David Bowie, Charlie Haden, George Coleman, Diane Schuur, Nelson Riddle, Sonny Fortune, Ken Nordine, Tierney Sutton, and many others. Wertico was a member of the Larry Coryell Power Trio until Coryell's death in 2017. From 2000 to 2007, he was a member of the platinum-record-winning Polish progressive rock band, SBB. He is also the inventor of TUBZ, made by Promark, who also makes the “Paul Wertico Signature Hickory Wood Tip Drumstick” (TX808W ).
Happy birthday to Tom Aungst! Tom is the Director of Percussion at Dartmouth Public Schools in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. His job includes teaching percussion students at all levels of the program, from the beginners starting in 5th grade, to the middle and high school students. Mr. Aungst has been in the Dartmouth school system for the past 24 years. Under Tom's direction, Dartmouth has participated in the WGI indoor percussion activity since 1998, capturing five World Class Percussion Championships (1998, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2014) and has consistently placed in the top three.
Mr. Aungst has also been involved in the drum corps activity for over 36 years. Tom has recently returned to The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps as the Caption Head and Arranger for the 2017 season. He was formerly the Caption Head for Carolina Crown in 2015 and 2016. Mr. Aungst got his start in drum corps in the late 70's by marching with the Reading Buccaneer's all-age corps, winning two DCA World Championships in 1979 and 1980. In 1981 Tom became involved with The Cadets, first as a member from 1981-1984, then as the Percussion Arranger and Caption Head through 2008 and later returning as a consultant in 2013. While with the corps, Tom was involved with capturing nine championships and seven percussion awards. Mr. Aungst has always remained actively involved in the drum corps activity, recently writing for the Cadets2 corps in 2013, and working with various groups like the Blue Stars, Pacific Crest, Hawthorne Caballeros, and the Connecticut Hurricanes. Tom is a member of The Cadets, Drum Corps International and the WGI Halls of Fame.
Mr. Aungst is a graduate of West Chester University, where he received his Bachelor's in Music Education and also has a Master's in Jazz Performance from Rutgers University. He is also a proud father to Alan Aungst and Noah Aungst.
Happy 400th birthday to Zildjian Cymbals!!!
Gig Alerts
Friends of the show, Sandbox Percussion have a gig you can apply for.
Beach Life Festival is taking place from May 5-7th.
Denver Comes Alive is happening January 13th and 14th.
Bottlerock Festival is happening May 26-28th.
The Boston Calling Festival is happening May 26th-28th.
Bonnaroo is happening June 15th-18th.
Educational Spotlight
Our friends over at Conga Chops have released a new masterclass with friend of the show, Gilmar Gomes.
The previous masterclass released by them is with friend of the show, Marc Quiñones.
Aaron Sterling is offering his King Dojo series again where he will spend 8hrs in a studio with you and a small group of musicians.
Friend of the show Ari Herstand has a new edition of his book, “How to Make it in the New Music Business”. You can preorder it and receive it on January 17th (the release date) along with some bonuses.
Iconic Recording
JBlak chose the iconic recording for this week. It is, “Tres Coronas Un Angel” by Marassa from the album, ‘Santeria! Musica de Raiz (Palo).’
Music News
The National Independent Venue Association has announced a partnership with r.Cup to reduce single-use plastic cups at its shows.
NIVA members in r.Cup operating cities can reduce their environmental footprint with r.Cup’s seamlessly integrated reusable cup system. The partnership also helps raise funds for the National Independent Venue Foundation. r.Cup is a full-service reuse system that provides a variety of cups and containers, collection bins, delivery and pick-up logistics, sanitizing services, program training, and more. -Article
You can submit to perform/present at PASIC until Jan 23rd.
Jonathan “JBlak” Troncoso Interview
The song leading into the interivew is “A La Dolorita” by Yasser Tejeda & Jonathan "Jblak" Troncoso from the album, ‘Kijombo’.
Shout-out to friends of the show Camilo Molina, Marcos Lopez and Anthony Almonte.
Jblak’s grandfather, Bienvenido Troncoso was a singer and composer in the Dominican Republic.
Porfirio Rubirosa was a Dominican man who inspired the character of James Bond.
JBlak starts to tell some of the history of Dominican folkloric music. He mentions Guillermo Güira.
Jblak talks about how he transitioned from sports to music.
Shout-out to the Boys Harbor school in El Barrio (Spanish Harlem).
Jblak talks about Palo Domnincano (another style of Folkloric Dominican music).
Jblak talks about the different duties the various palo drums do.
He also mentions a book called,The Legacy of Fradique Lizardo by Fradique Lizardo.
A couple of rhythms that can be considered the predecessor of Merengue are Carabine or Palo cha.
Jblak mentions Cataray, the king of the Dominican tambora.
Another style mentioned is Sandunga Dominicana.
Jblak mentions a recording by Boni Raposo Y La 21 División.
He also mentions studying in Villa Mella in the Dominican Republic.
He talks about the style Salve and one of the musicians, Enerolisa Núñez.
Jblak points out a new style in the Dominican Republic that was influenced by Jamaica and Panama called Dembow.
Jblak breaks down bachata. He mentions to listen to the beginning of the style with artists like Luis Segura, Teodoro Reyes, Leonardo Paniagua, Anthony Santos and Juan Bautista.
Jblak mentions Marino Perez as being “street” bachata.
Shout-out to Romeo Santos and Jotan Afanador.
Damon brings up Jblak’s group Ilu Aye.
Jblak is not only a great musician, but also a huge shoe aficionado, not just sneakers. Here’s a small part of his collection.
Jblak not only teaches music, but he also coaches basketball.
Damon has some Jordan 1s he wears on stage. A black option and a brown option.
Damon recently got a second pair of the black ones he will get customized by the same person who customized Marc Quinones’ Jordan 1s.
Jblak mentions the percussionist (Jose) Duluc.
Shout-out to everyone who has helped Jblak in his adventures and journey through music.
You can follow Jblak on Facebook and Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is “Nuestras Raíces (Our Roots)” from the album ‘Kijombo.’ by
Yasser Tejeda & Palotré.
