#356 Marcus Finnie- Grammy-Winning Drummer for Kurt Elling, Kirk Whalum, Keb Mo & More!
This week’s guest is Marcus Finnie. Marcus is a Grammy winning, world touring musician. With credits ranging from Kirk Whalum, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Sheléa, Donna Summer, Jonathan Butler, India Arie, G Love, Jacob Whitesides and several others. His first project entitled Boundless featuring Kirk Whalum was released 2010. His latest project is a live studio recording Live From Layman Studios.
R.I.P.
Rest in peace to Aaron Spears. Questlove says, “The world lost a legend today. Husband, father, producers music director, leader drumgod & just a Cotdamn BEAST in Aaron Spears.”
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Attis Clopton! If you ask Attis what his day job is, he’d quickly respond “musician.” However, the drummer, who’s travelled the world recording and performing, would be remiss not to mention his impressive photography skills. Though not formally trained, Attis has developed an eye and the ability to capture subjects in a way that many professional photographers struggle with throughout their career. But what may set Attis apart from his contemporaries is his openness, his curiosity and his unpretentious disposition, all of which help him lock into the moment and keep his photos from looking overthought or overdone. Ahead he shares some of his recent favorites with 6sqft. - Article
Happy Birthday to Kwame Henry Jones! Master Drummer and Drum builder Baba Kwame' Henry Jones is the Godson of Master Drummer and Drum builder Baba David Coleman. Mr. Jones and Infinite Roots have performed throughout the tri-state area for over 15 years and have established themselves as a great learning opportunity for all ages.
Happy Birthday to 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.
Gig Alerts
After executing a number of music-focused expansion initiatives on the year, TikTok is officially set to close out 2023 by hosting its “first-ever” crowd-based entertainment event, dubbed “In the Mix” and featuring performances from Cardi B, Anitta, and others. -Article
The company Sixthman, is hosting a bunch of different cruises throughout the southeast US and Caribbean.
The London Jazz Festival is taking place from November 10th-19th.
Marcus is currently on tour in Europe with Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter for the Superblue project.
Educational Spotlight
PASIC wrapped up its online registration and now you can still register, but only in person in Indianapolis at the registration desk.
The late night hangs for PASIC have been announced.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was chosen by Marcus. It is “Wailers” by Bobby McFerrin from the ‘Vocabularies’ album.
A collaboration with the composer/arranger/producer Roger Treece, VOCAbuLarieS features over fifty of the world´s finest singers, recorded one at a time and in small groups to create a virtual choir made up of over 1,400 vocal tracks. Constructed as meticulously as a Mozart symphony or a Steely Dan album, intricately synthesized from countless stylistic elements,VOCAbuLarieS may be unlike any album anyone has ever recorded. Yet the music is always accessible, joyous, and inviting.
VOCAbuLarieS celebrates Bobby ´s love of all musical genres, from classical to world music, R&B to gospel and beyond, building upon McFerrin´s past explorations and journeying into bold new territory.
Friend of the show, Alex Acuña played percussion on it. There are a bunch of other vocalists involved as well.
Music News
Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary are facing renewed lawmaker scrutiny over an alleged failure to comprehensively adopt all-in pricing.
This latest round of Capitol Hill criticism against Live Nation arrived in the form of a firmly worded letter addressed to CEO Michael Rapino and penned by Senator Amy Klobuchar. A longtime critic of the promoter as well as Ticketmaster, the senator in February urged Justice Department action against the Páramo Presenta parent, which continues to grapple with a federal antitrust investigation. -Article
Last week, a U.S. senator called out Live Nation and Ticketmaster for alleged shortcomings in their implementation of all-in pricing. Now, the promoter’s head has responded to the criticism with a firmly worded letter. -Article
As the death toll climbs from the Israel-Hamas war, several high-profile celebrities have signed an open letter to President Biden, urging the US government to “facilitate a ceasefire” in Gaza. -Article
Friends of the show, Juan Diego Villalobos and Daniel Prim have a new release coming out November 3rd. Check out their teaser vid below!
Jeremy Bosch has a new album out that has already surpassed 50k streams in one weekend. Some friends of the show in Marcos Torres, Marcos Lopez, Javier Raez and others were among the musicians involved.
Marcus Finnie Interview
The song leading into the interview is “R.I.P.” by Amelie Jat from the ‘for the plot’ album.
Damon and Marcus met at Zildjian 400th anniversary events. Once in NYC and once in Boston.
Shout-out to Al Jarreau.
Marcus talks about his parents, their music, and early music catalog.
Shout-out to Danny Flowers.
Marcus talks about playing in the church growing up.
Shout-out to Pastor Kenneth Whalum.
Damon and Marcus talk about improvisation.
Marcus talks about vocabulary and dialect in music and communicating.
Shout-out to Aaron Rimbui.
Marcus talks about some cultural differences from different parts of the world.
Marcus studied at MTSU with Lalo Davila and friend of the show, Andy Smith.
Marcus mentions the Ed Uribe Afro-Cuban book.
Marcus likes to cook. Check out his food page!
The restaurant Damon mentions for the Beef Wellington is the oldest tavern in the USA dating back to 1673. It is called the White Horse Tavern.
Marcus was a kitchen assistant to the chef at Sur La Table for a year for their cooking classes. He talks about the duties and responsibilities he was responsible for.
Marcus brings up the importance of water in all ingredients.
Shout-out to Chef Reactions.
Marcus is on the road now with the Superblue project. Shout-out to Corey Fonville and DJ Harrison.
Marcus talks about Daru Jones and Keio Stroud.
Marcus picks out the iconic recording.
Marcus uses Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Pearl Drums, and Evans Drumheads.
