October 10th is Hug a Drummer (and Percussionist) Day!!!

This week’s guests are the Pathos Trio. “Elevated themselves into those elite ranks alongside Yarn/Wire, Sō Percussion, Tigue, Iktus and Ensemble Et Al", as described by the New York Music Daily, Pathos Trio (percussionists Marcelina Suchocka, Felix Reyes, and pianist/composer Will Healy) is a two percussion and piano trio committed to combining aesthetics of contemporary classical music with their interests in dark, heavy, dense sounds drawn from various genres of music such as alternative rock, progressive/black metal, cathedral music, minimalist music, electronic synth-wave, and more, while also aiming to bring adventurous music to audiences through collaborations with young, living new music composers.

Their accolades include being Semi Finalists for Concert Artist Guild's 2022 Victor Elmaleh Virtual Competition, 2021 & 2022 Ensemble Forward Grantees from Chamber Music America, and receiving project support from various national music organizations and NYS sources of funding such as New Music USA, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Johnstone Fund for New Music, Amphion Foundation, and New York State Council for the Arts, amongst others.

Their current project “Polarity”, will be the ensemble’s second studio album, which will contain 6 newly commissioned works written by composers Paul Mortilla, Andrew Rodriguez, Ian Chang (from Oscar winning ensemble Son Lux), Clara Warnaar, Phong Tran, and Vicente Hansen Atria. Audio for the album was recorded by Grammy ®-nominated Audio Engineer Ryan Streber and the music videos for each track on this album was recorded by Philadelphia based film company Four/Ten Media, who has worked with several Grammy ® nominated artists. This album will release on September 15th, 2023 through Imaginary Animals music label, and is graciously supported by New Music USA, Amphion Foundation, and Chamber Music America, Pathos Trio being a recipient of a Chamber Music America Recording Grant, made possible with generous support from the New York Community Trust.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Javier Diaz! Javier is a percussionist with the American Symphony Orchestra and with several chamber music groups and Latin music groups in the New York Area. He has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New York Perspectives Ensemble, Zankel Hall New Music Band, and Hilliard Ensemble. He has performed for Broadway's productions of Man of La Mancha, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Brooklyn, Phil Collins’s Tarzan, Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Rocky, In The Heights, The Lion King, and Gloria Estefan’s On Your Feet. His studio/film soundtrack credits include collaborations with jazz greats David Sanborn and Marcus Miller, ECM's Tituli by Stephen Hartke with the Hilliard Ensemble, Barbershop 3, several HBO films, and many TV and radio commercials.

As an Afro-Cuban percussion specialist, Diaz has appeared with Miami Sound Machine, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Sean Kingston, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Patty LaBelle, Lazaro Galarraga's Afro-Cuban All Stars, percussionists Angel Luis Figueroa, Candido Camero, Román Diaz and Pedro Martinez, The Panamerican Jazz Band, The Ethnix, AnetteAguilar’s Latin Jazz Group, Marta Topferova, Edmar Castañeda, Tribal Sage, and the New York World Music Institute. In addition, Diaz has released an album with world music band Kalunga.

An active educator, Diaz has taught classical percussion at El Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela, University of Connecticut, and his private studio in New York City. He has also taught Afro-Cuban percussion seminars, classes, and clinics at the Peabody Institute, University of Southern California, Percussion Artists Workshops Los Angeles/New York, Los Angeles School District, The Juilliard School, the Boston Conservatory, and Mannes School of Music in New York City. Diaz is currently on the percussion faculties at Rutgers University and the Juilliard School. He has a book on Afro-Cuban percussion called The Afro-Cuban Handbook.

Diaz has composed music for the Aspen Music Festival, New York University, and University of Southern California. His concert music is available through Bachovich Music.

An alumnus of El Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela and the Aspen Music Festival, Diaz holds a BM from the University of Southern California and an MM from The Juilliard School.

Happy Birthday to Valerie Naranjo! Valerie Naranjo’s performance career is one many percussionists would dream of having. She plays percussion for NBC’s Saturday Night Live band and performs on Broadway’s The Lion King. She has recorded and performed with some of the biggest musical acts in history, including the Philip Glass Ensemble, David Byrne, the Paul Winter Consort, Tori Amos, Airto Moreira, and the international percussion ensemble MegaDrums, which includes Milton Cardona, Zakir Hussain, and Glen Velez.

More than her impressive performance credits, Naranjo’s career has broken boundaries of genre and gender to help redefine the way we as percussionists engage with our communities. Valerie has created a space for percussionists that is more inclusive to everyone, especially women. “She broke a gender barrier by being the first woman to perform on gyil and to become a first-place prize winner in Ghana’s Kobine Festival of Traditional Music,” says Dr. Patrick Roulet. She has incorporated musical instruments and styles from around the world into pop, classical, rock, and folk traditions, which have influenced our entire field. “Her contributions to music and percussion are boundary breaking, crossing, and uniting,” says Dr. Roger Braun. “From the popular music of the Saturday Night Live band, to the New York musical theater scene, to the gyil music of Ghana, to her impact as a world music educator, her influence is profound.”

Valerie Dee Naranjo was born in Los Angeles to Native American parents, and she was raised in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado. Her father was Southern Ute and her mother had roots in the Navajo nation. Valerie grew up in a very musical family. “The majority of my extended family are singers or instrumentalists,” she says. “My family members came to visit often, usually unannounced, since we didn’t have telephones at the time. At some point, someone would pick up an instrument and we would play together.”

Valerie’s parents were very supportive and encouraging of her learning to play an instrument. “My father deeply respected the power of music in the community,” Naranjo recalls. “Before I was old enough to join the school band, my parents were telling me how great it would be to play a musical instrument.” She first heard marimba in Baja, California at the age of six and was immediately attracted to the instrument. When it became time to choose an instrument in school, she wanted to play the flute. “I had decided to play flute, but my mother asked, ‘Would you consider playing drums? There’s more need for drummers than there is for flautists.’” Her mother wanted to play the drums when she was young, but her grandfather felt that drummers were typically associating in environments with alcohol and did not feel it would be a good setting for a young woman to grow up in.

Valerie moved away from her parents at age 14 and made a living as a waitress and chamber maid. “Throughout high school, music was the guiding force to get me up in the morning and to excel in school,” she explains. “I took responsibility to play piano for my church to learn how to play the instrument.” -Read More!

Happy Birthday to Eric Velez! Eric Velez is one of the most respected Latino percussionists of his generation. He is of Puerto Rican descent, and was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. Eric learned to play congas, bongos, and timbales at the young age of three with the assistance of his brother. His first musical performance was with Grupo Fascinacion at the age of fifteen. At the age of seventeen, Eric played with Eddie Palmieri and in 1993 made his first recording with Marc Anthony for the movie soundtrack “Carlito’s Way.” In 1996, Eric continued to record under RMM Records with producer Isidro Infante. Eric also traveled with the RMM Band, featuring Tito Puente. In 1997, Eric joined Marc Anthony’s band and later that year performed for President Clinton’s 1997 Inaugural Ceremony. A year later, Eric recorded with Celia Cruz. In 1999, Eric joined D.L.G. and also recorded with various artists under record producer Sergio George.

Between 2000 and 2004, Eric performed with Marc Anthony on two tours, several TV shows, including Jay Leno, as well as the HBO Special: Marc Anthony the Concert. In 2005, Eric joined the “Juntos en Concierto Tour” featuring Marc Anthony. Later that year, Eric and his brother, Joe Juicy Jusino recorded a Salsa CD titled, “Juicy and Eric – Huracan.” In 2006, Eric went on another “Juntos en Concierto Tour 2” featuring Marc Anthony. In October, Eric recorded with Marc Anthony for “Marc Anthony in Tenerife.” In 2007, Eric continued to play with Marc Anthony and also began playing percussion with Jennifer Lopez and appeared on American Idol and David Letterman. The following year, Drum! Magazine named Eric “Runner-up for Percussion Rising Star.”

In 2009, Toca Percussion launched the Eric Velez Signature Series Congas and Bongos. In October, Eric returned to the White House and performed with Marc Anthony for the “Fiesta Latina” performance. Eric has received many renowned distinctions, including another award by Drum! Magazine in 2009. He was named “Live Percussionist of the Year,” “Runner-up Percussionist of the Year,” “Runner-up Latin Percussionist of the Year,” and “Runner-up Percussion Product of the Year.” In 2010, Eric’s influence was significantly recognized once again when he was awarded Drum! Magazine’s “Runner-up Live Performer of the Year” and “Runner-up Latin Percussionist of the Year.” In May 2011, Eric performed with Marc Anthony during the season finale of American Idol. Once again, his accomplishments were recognized when Eric received the award for “Runner-up Latin Percussionist of the Year” by Drum! Magazine.

In 2012, Eric performed with Marc Anthony during the finale of Q’Viva: The Chosen. In June, Eric played for President Obama at the “Latinos for Obama Fundraiser” at the Jackie Gleason Theater. That same year, Eric received an award by Drum! Magazine as “Runner-up Latin Percussionist of the Year.” Eric toured this summer with the “GIGANT3S Tour” featuring Marc Anthony. He will be ending the year in Latin America with the “GIGANT2S Tour” featuring Marc Anthony.

Happy Birthday to Jon Epcar! Born and raised in Los Angeles, drummer Jon Epcar currently resides in NYC. He has worked with many artists, including Bono, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Rihanna, Natasha Bedingfield, Carly Rae Jepsen, Klangkarussell, Cristian Castro, Matt Morris, Madison Beer, Katie Melua, Evan Rachel Wood, Jackson Harris, Jesse James, The Ghostwriters, Taryn Manning, Matt & Kim, John Issac Watters, Danielia Cotton. He is a founding member of the band Carney, with whom he toured and recorded with for many years. On Broadway, he originated the drum chairs for Spider-Man and Amelie, and Tina Fey’s Mean Girls. You can catch him on tour with Colbie Caillat.

Gig Alerts

The Austin City Limits Festival is happening from October 6-8 and 13-15 in Zilker Park in Austin, TX.

Robert Glasper has taken over the NYC Blue Note again for the 5th season of “Robtober”. Lots of special guests!

The Eagles and Steely Dan have added more tour dates to their “Long Goodbye Tour”.

Zildjian is having their 400th anniversary tour continue in the UK.

Educational Spotlight

The Percussive Arts Society has released a new Drumset Magazine, to go along with their Percussive Notes magazine as well.

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Don’t forget to sign up for PASIC before it’s too late!

Iconic Recording(s)

Marcelina’s choice was “Bach: Organ Sonata No. 4, BWV 528: II. Andante”, performed by Víkingur Ólafsson.

Will’s choice was, “Our Film (feat. Areni Aghbabian and Artyom Manukyan)”, performed by Tigran Hamasyan.

Felix’s choice was, Square Peg, Round Hole’s album, ‘Reservoir’. Damon chose the track, “Atomhaven”.

Music News

The death toll from Hamas terrorists’ attack on an Israeli music festival has surpassed 260, according to local authorities and reports.

Outlets including CNN, citing figures provided by rescue teams, disclosed the music festival’s estimated casualties, which account for well over one-quarter of the total confirmed Israeli deaths stemming from the surprise invasion. -Article

Here is a video of how events unfolded. Viewer discretion is advised.

Bruno Mars has cancelled his Tel Aviv concert due to the recent Hamas attacks and escalation of the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

After playing his first show in Israel on Wednesday to a sold-out crowd of 60,000, Bruno Mars cancelled his second concert, scheduled for Saturday night in Tel Aviv, following the recent Hamas attacks and escalating violence. At least 300 people were killed and 3,000 more injured as a result of the surprise attack and subsequent retaliation. -Article

The results of the Modern Drummer Reader’s Poll are out now!