#315 Brevan Hampden- Percussionist, Educator, AFM Board Member and More!
This week’s guest is Brevan Hampden. Born in New York City in 1985, Brevan was born instantly a member of a high-level musical family; his father Ivan, who has toured with Luther Vandross, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Lopez, Roberta Flack, Grady Tate, and Ashford & Simpson, and his mother Brenda, who has performed on Broadway, with Dizzy Gillespie, Angie Bofill, Marian Anderson, and Jazzmobile.
After moving to Durham, NC in 1988, Brevan began showing signs of talent in music from age 7. He began playing percussion in church with his mother and brother at age 9. Soon after, he began playing pick up gigs and at other churches in the Raleigh/Durham area. His older brother Brian moved to North Carolina when Brevan was 9, and introduced him to the world of Latin and World Percussion. Brevan learned how to read music in middle school, playing in concert band and jazz band, and participated in the marching band once moving on to high school. Although there were no high school programs that catered to Latin percussion or jazz/popular music in general, Brevan continued his study of percussion, by listening to and being influenced by percussionists Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Carlos “Patato” Valdes, Tata Guines, Changuito, Giovanni Hidalgo, Angel “Cachete” Maldonado, Tito Puente, Miguel “Anga” Diaz, Tomas “El Panga” Ramos and other artists such as Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Kool and the Gang, Parliament, Daryl “Munyungo” Jackson, Leon “Ndugu” Chancelor, Steve Kroon, Roger Squitero, Sheila E. and Luis Conte.
Twice, during his high school years, Brevan attended the Berklee World Percussion Festival in Boston, where he studied with Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Eguie Castrillo, and Ernesto Diaz. This helped further his knowledge of percussion, and of music in general, which, upon his return to North Carolina allowed him to continue performing locally, with bands such as Junk in the Trunk, Samecumba, Carnavalito, and the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Jazz Ensemble, with whom his other brother, Iajhi, was performing at the time.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Stephen Bidwell! Stephen was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in the Virginia suburbs. Since first being handed drumsticks in the late 80s he has studied and lived in West Virginia, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and New York but has called Austin, Texas home since 2005. Somewhere in those travels, he earned a Bachelors’s degree in classical percussion (two of them actually) and a Master’s degree in Jazz studies. Since early 2018 he has been the drummer for the Grammy-nominated Black Pumas, a psychedelic soul group known for incendiary live shows. When not on tour with Black Pumas, Stephen plays in several diverse projects (Hard Proof, The Calm Blue Sea, Azmaris, Mood Illusion), works in any genre you can think of as a sideman and teaches lessons at his home studio.
You can see some of Steve’s interviews and other drum journalism over at ModernDrummer.com, he’s been a contributing writer since 2008.
Happy Birthday to Steve Kroon! Steve has been a professional musician for the last 50 years. He was born in Harlem, and lived there until the age of nine. In 1957, then moved to St. Albans Queens. his experience of being raised in Queens was very influential. At the time, there were many great Jazz and R&B artists living right in the neighborhood. At home he mostly listened to his father’s records, which were Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez and Machito. Then when he would visit his friends, he would listen to all the great Jazz artists. Right in his neighborhood was Lester Young, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Count Basie and many more. Also a great influence on him was the great producer Henry Glover, who lived right on the corner. With all that diversity and style, he would say most of his musical appreciation began with those early years. At this early stage he progressed to playing percussion. He and his brother Bobby would practice along with the recordings of these great artists, then, as he progressed, he undertook studying with various music teachers. A great influence on him was the great Tommy Lopez, Sr. Steve took conga lessons with him for quite some time, shortly after that, studied with the great percussionist Dom Um Romao.
As Steve’s career progressed, he began working with such notables as Luther Vandross (from 1981 to 2001). Steve appeared on seven platinum albums, fifteen world tours, which include two live video performances. Also, an array of television shows from the Tonight Show to David Letterman, Jay Leno, as well as the Grammy’s. He’s also performed with Ron Carter from 1987 to 2004, which included extensive tours of the U.S., Japan and Brazil, as well as the well-known NY Jazz scene. Some of the places they've performed include the Village Vanguard, The Irriidium, and The Blue Note chain from the U.S. to Japan. Steve also recorded with much of the "Who's Who" in the recording business, names such as Ron Carter, Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross, Bill Cosby, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall, Stanley Turrentine, Bette Midler, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, just to name a few. He’s also proud to announce that he made the Downbeat Critics pole Rising Star for 2016, and 2017.
For the last Fifteen years, Steve has been working on his own solo career, which includes having released the following 6 CD’s under his own label Kroonatune Records, LLC: ‘In My Path’; ‘Senor Kroon’; ‘El Mas Alla (Beyond)’ , ‘Without A Doubt’, ‘On The One’, and his latest ‘In Your Dreams’. At this point in his life, he has chosen to devote his time and creativity to pursue his own career.
Happy Birthday to Steve Jordan!
Gig Alerts
Coachella has announced their lineup for the two weekends the festival will be taking place. April 14th-16th and April 21st-23rd.
Phish has announced a west coast tour.
The Chicago Drum Show will be taking place on May 20th and 21st, including appearances by friends of the show, Scott Pellegrom and Paul Wertico.
Educational Spotlight
Friend of the show Ari Herstand has a new edition of his book, “How to Make it in the New Music Business”. You can order it as it has been released publicly on January 17th.
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.
Iconic Recording
This week’s recording has been chosen by Brevan. It is “Gotham Town” by Ralph Irizarry and Timbalaye from the album ‘20th Anniversary’.
Music News
You can submit to perform/present at PASIC until Jan 23rd.
Apple has announced a new Business Connect tool for Apple Maps to make it easier for users to buy tickets, book hotel rooms, and make dinner reservations.
Business Connect is aimed at bringing physical businesses more ways to connect with customers digitally through Apple Maps. Some of the examples Apple shares are making a dinner reservation at a restaurant through Open Table or reserving tickets to an upcoming show at a venue. -Article
The Internal Revenue Service announced in June of 2022, an increase in the optional standard mileage rate for the final 6 months of 2022 and going forward into 2023. Taxpayers may use the optional standard mileage rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and certain other purposes. -Article
Brevan Hampden Interview
The song leading into the interview is “Saints” by Dashawn Hickman, featuring Charlie Hunter from the ‘Drums, Roots & Steel’ album.
Brevan talks about his new jobs at UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Greensboro.
Shout-out to Dr. Stephen Anderson and Steve Haines.
Brevan talks about Charanga Carolina with Dr. David Garcia and Juan Álamo.
Brevan and Damon talk a little about the history of Cuban music.
Brevan brings up the band Che Apalache. He also mentions Larry Bellorín.
Brevan talks about some of his curriculum planning.
Brevan talks about the importance of knowing the business side of music.
Shout-out to Michael Mossman of Queens College.
Brevan talks about how he got the university jobs. Shout-out to Thomas Taylor.
Brevan is a board member at large for the Musician’s Union (local 500 chapter). AFM 342 is the other one in North Carolina. He talks about his responsibilities.
Brevan talks about some of his background which you can hear about in the first podcast episode he was on.
Brevan talks about approaching different styles and genres of music as a percussionist.
Damon and Brevan talk about recording for other people.
Brevan owns a studio with Jeremy Bean Clemons called Break Alive Studios.
Brevan was helpful in the creation of the Wheelhouse app. Ben Singer was the creator.
Brevan talks about feel and groove.
Brevan talks about endorsements. Shout-out to 2112 Percussion.
Brevan gives thanks.
Damon talks about his path in BBQ and smoking. He mentions the idea of being a food critic in high school. Damon touches on the different BBQ styles of different regions. He gets some rubs (the ones he doesn’t make) from Obie-Cue and used to get Stubb’s sauce and has moved on to Rufus Teague sauces. Some of the BBQ books were written by Myron Mixon.
Brevan and Damon talk about instruments and when do you get better ones.
The song leading out of the interview is an unfinished recording that Brevan played on called “El Coco”. The arrangement is done by Hector Davila from the forthcoming album, ‘Metralla y Sus Mercenarios’.
