Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Born June 24, 1961 in Waukegan (Illinois). "It was a very natural inclination for me to play drums," says Marvin "Smitty" Smith. A glance at his early life validates that truth. Born the son of a drummer, Marvin, Sr., was always surrounded by music in the house.

At six months old, he would climb up on the large lounge chair positioned directly in front of his father's drum set and would watch him practice, intensely. Whenever his father took a break, he would crawl over and press the foot pedals and attempt to emulate his dad. That experience, and banging on pots and pans, was the extent of his playing until he began formal training at the age of three.

Today, Marvin "Smitty" Smith is a young musician extraordinaire whose work has been described as a "comment on invention, firm and adventurous time and technical sufficiency." He has traveled extensively throughout the Orient, Europe, and the continental USA; and he has shared the stage with such greats as Sonny Rollins, Hank Jones, Frank Foster and Frank Wess, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, and Milt Jackson. He is a former member of the Ron Carter Quartet, The New York Jazz Quartet, and The Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet.

Featured on more than 45 albums, additional performances and recordings augmented with Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison, Ray Brown and Phineas Newborn, George Shearing, Bobby Watson, Hamiet Bluiett, Branford Marsalis, David Murray, Emily Remler, Peter Leicht, Kevin Eubanks, Donald Byrd, Monty Alexander, Diane Reeves, Michel Camilo, and Grover Washington Jr. Currently he's a member of Steve Coleman's Five Elements, and The Dave Holland Quartet. Smitty conducts seminars and clinics for students in jazz workshops, both in the United States and Europe; and is currently on staff of jazz program at the Banff Centre of Fine Arts, Canada, and Drummers Collective, New York City.

Smitty has been Downbeat Critics' Poll winner for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition, 1985 through 1987, and 1989. Smitty performed on the Soundtrack of filmaker Spike Lee's "School Daze", appeared in Sonny Rollins' music video "Saxophone Colossus", and a member of Sting's "Nothing Like the Sun" South American tour, 1987.

Regarded as a well rounded musician with the ability to play all styles, Marvin "Smitty" Smith is a blossoming composer and arranger, and his success has earned him two albums as a bandleader. As a versitile drummer, there seems to be nothing be cannot do. It's been said that he is the "John Coltrane of the drums.."

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to Shawn Mativetsky! Dynamic performer Shawn Mativetsky is considered one of Canada's leading ambassadors of the tabla, and is a pioneer in bridging the worlds of Western and Indian classical music. Acclaimed as an exceptional soloist and a leading disciple of the renowned Pandit Sharda Sahai, Shawn Mativetsky is highly sought-after as both performer and educator, and is active in the promotion of the tabla and North Indian classical music through lectures, workshops, and performances across Canada and internationally. Based in Montreal, Shawn teaches tabla and percussion at McGill University. His most recent solo tabla album, Rivers, is rooted in the rich traditions of the Benares style of tabla playing. Shawn's new book, RUDIMENTAAL, features compositions for snare drum, inspired by the tabla drumming of North India.

As a practitioner of Indian classical music, Shawn regularly gives solo tabla performances, as well as accompanying kathak dance and instrumental artists. Since 2003, Shawn has been affiliated with the Pandit Ram Sahai Foundation (UK/India), and in the summers of 2006 and 2008, hosted tabla maestro Pandit Sharda Sahai's annual summer tabla workshop. Since 2011, Shawn has been hosting his own annual summer tabla workshop at McGill University. In recent years, he has been working closely with santoor player Jonathan Voyer, sitarist Uwe Neumann, and kathak dancer Sudeshna Maulik.
Shawn has performed numerous recitals around the world, and has been featured in the International Pharos Contemporary Music Festival (Cyprus), Clazz International Music Festival (Italy), Pontio / Music @ Bangor, Vale of Glamorgan Festival (Wales), Shastra Festival, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (USA), Sound Symposium, Windsor Canadian Music Festival, New Music in New Spaces, Groundswell, Western Front, Open Space, VICO's Global Soundscapes Festival, Festival Montréal Baroque, Jusqu’aux Oreilles, Evolutions, Voyages: Montréal-New York, Festival International du Domaine Forget, New Works Calgary, and Music Toronto (Canada). As an ensemble musician, Shawn Mativetsky performs with trio Mativetsky, Amiri & Pagé, violinist Parmela Attariwala's cross-cultural Attar Project, Indo-fusion group Ragleela, very long cat, a tabla / electronic music duo with live coder David Ogborn, the improv trio Of Sound, Mind and Body, with Tim Brady and Helmut Lipsky, and percussion group Ensemble Duniya. A versatile studio musician, Shawn has appeared on albums by Elsiane, Joel Miller, Yann Perreau, Elephant Stone, Suzie Leblanc, Ramachandra Borcar, and Daniel Lavoie. Regular performances with Galitcha have led to concerts across Canada and the US, as well as tours to France and Tunisia, the chance to play with guest musicians such as Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Salil Bhatt, Harry Manx, and Yves Lambert, as well as a performance for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, during their visit to Canada. -More

Happy Birthday to Camilo Molina-Gaetan! Camilo Ernesto Molina Gaetán is a twenty-four year old accomplished percussionist from New York City. At the age of two, Camilo began studying with Los Pleneros de la 21 – a community based group dedicated to playing folkloric Puerto Rican music – in their children’s workshop. It was as a student in the workshops where Camilo met his first teachers: Alberto “Tito” Cepeda and Juan Gutierrez. Advancing in skill through the years, Camilo has progressed from a student to a teacher for the community workshops offered by Los Pleneros de la 21. At the age of Four, also Camilo began to study at Boys Harbor Conservatory of Latin Music with renowned percussionists Johnny Almendra and Louie Bauzó. Camilo is also a graduate of The Julliard School of Music (2003) under the MAP/PATH programs.

In the fall of 2000, Camilo had the honor of being selected as one of ten semifinalists to compete in the Thelonious Monk International Afro-Latin Hand Drum Competition. He went on to become a finalist and was selected as the third place winner, who, at

age ten was the youngest finalist in the 14-year history of the competition. That year, Camilo received a proclamation from the City Council of New York honoring him for his musical talents and achievements. He was also the recipient of the Celia Cruz Scholarship (2004) and The Harbor Achievement Award (2001). Camilo has recorded on 3 Grammy Award Nominated albums (Eddie Palmieri’s “Rumbero de Piano”, Los Pleneros de la 21’s “Para Todos Ustedes” and Papo Vazquez’s “Marooned/Aislado”) and contributed his talents to an Emmy Award winning documentary, Banco Populars “Sono, Sono: Tribute to Tite Curet”.

Camilo continues to make a name for himself early in his career, performing with acts varying in musical genres and styles. He is currently on tour as a member of Eddie Palmieri’s Orchestra. In addition, he has toured, recorded and performed with artists such as Santana, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Grusin, Los Pleneros de la 21, Miguel Zenón, Elio Villafranca, Teatro Pregones, Viento de Agua, John Santos, The Pimps of Joytime, Adonis Puentes, Iffy the Badman, Angel "Papo" Vasquez, Tato Torres y Yerbabuena, The Curtis Brothers, and many more.

Happy Birthday to Bobby Allende! Born and raised in New York City, Bobby's foundation in Afro-Cuban Percussion commenced at the age of three. With the patient and constant guidance of his Uncles Angel Allende and Papiro Allende (well-respected musicians) Bobby embarked on a journey that has taken him around the world twice over. His dedication to his craft and spirited personality has earned him the respect of some of the top names in the industry. His performances with Buddy Rich on the Mike Douglas Show (age 7) and with Julio Iglesias at Madison Square Garden (age 10) helped open the doors of opportunity. At a performance at Madison Square Garden the legendary Tito Puente invited Bobby to perform alongside him. Thus, the formation of the juvenile group the "Rumberito All Stars" was born. The group continued to be the opening act for Tito Puente through 1980 and allowed Bobby to refine his craft under the supervision of a legend. Bobby moved on to work with and tour with many other Latin musicians such as Hector Lavoe, Jose Alberto "El Canario", RMM All Stars and Ruben Blades among an extensive list of many others. Later, he became the Musical Director for Willie Colon, Marc Anthony and La India. Bobby's expertise does not only limit him to the Latin Music Industry but has given him the opportunity to work with the likes of David Byrne, Grover Washington, Jr., Rodney Jones, Spyro Gyra and Marion Meadows. His versatility with Latin rhythms did not escape the sights of Paul Simon and earned him a place in the orchestra for the Broadway musical "The Capeman." It also afforded him the opportunity to continue his working relationship with Salsa/Pop performer Marc Anthony. In addition to his work with the New Santana Band, Bobby is currently the Musical Director for Tito Nieves and a member of the Grammy winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Bobby is frequently called upon as a Musical Consultant to audition and hire musicians, rehearse and create set lists for new artists. His strong musical background and almost 30 years in the entertainment business have successfully allowed him a natural progression into this role.

Gig Alerts

The Newport Jazz Festival has announced new artists added to the lineup!

There is a Global Citizen Power Our Planet Festival happening in Paris, France on June 22nd. -Article

Damon will be playing at a couple other Cisco Brewery locations.

Educational Spotlight

Damon put together a Spotify playlist of odd meter songs for one of his students. Feel free to use that for your own students or for yourself!

Iconic Recording

Marvin named several iconic recordings. “Free For All” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers (from the album with the same name), was just the first one.

Music News

A newly-introduced House bill, ‘BOSS and SWIFT Act,’ promises to implement ‘federal rules for the broken ticket market’ to ‘finally rein in the out-of-control ticket marketplace.’

Congressmen Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) have introduced their updated BOSS and SWIFT Act legislation to provide much-requested transparency and regulation to the live events ticket marketplace. -Article

Paul Simon reveals in a new interview that he’s lost nearly all hearing in his left ear — and nobody has an explanation for it. -Article

Damon mentions he has molded musician earplugs that have a 25 decibel reduction.

He mentioned that friend of the show, Tommy Diehl has full shell molded earplugs that block out 37 decibels by the company Sensaphonics.

He also has in ear monitors by the same company that have an external microphone to be able to let in outside sound per your discretion.

Damon put a decibel meter app on his phone to be able to monitor when to put in his earplugs (that he brings with him everywhere).

Here’s an article by a doctor about hearing protection.

Marvin “Smitty” Smith Interview

The song leading into the interview is, “Just Have Fun" by Marvin Smitty Smith, from the album ‘Keeper of the Drums’

Damon met “Smitty” in person at the Zildjian Cymbals, 400th anniversary (Los Angeles edition).

Damon brings up the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert. The first one was in Los Angeles with Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers, Greg Bissonette and Louie Bellson.

The second one in NYC was with Smitty, Steve Smith, Omar Hakim, Will Calhoun, Max Roach and Neil Peart.

He talks about how he got involved with that.

Smitty played a bit with Michel Camilo. Damon mentions the “On Fire” cassette that introduced him to Smitty and (friend of the show) Joel Rosenblatt.

Smitty mentions his connection to Michel by way of Paquito D’Rivera.

Smitty talks about his relationship with Joel Rosenblatt and also what it was like recording with Michel Camilo.

Damon asks about the “Smith vs. Smith” drum battle.

Smitty has four other siblings. His dad played some drums and also worked at a steel mill. His dad’s favorite drummer was Gene Ammons.

Smitty grew up in Waukegan, Il and talks about his introduction to the drums.

Smitty brings up Kwame Steve Cobb, drummer for Ramsey Lewis and Roy Ayers.

Shout-out to Charlie Williams, Donald Taylor and Marshall Thompson who Smitty studied with in his formative years.

Smitty talks about his choice of picking Berklee College of Music. He names some of is classmates and contemporaries.

After Boston, Smitty moved to NYC and lived there for about 14 years.

While in NYC, Smitty recorded ‘Keeper of the Drums’ and ‘The Road Less Traveled’ as a band leader.

Smitty talks about getting the call from Kevin Eubanks to do the Jay Leno Tonight Show.

Damon brings up some of Smitty’s touring and recording credits. He talks about recording with Willie Nelson and the legend Reggie Young.

Smitty gives some music advice. He talks about being well rounded and being open to the music.

He talks about the importance of being able to read charts.

Smitty shares a story of subbing with Art Farmer and Benny Golson then playing with the Jazztet.

“Always be ready so you don’t have to get ready!”

Smitty talks about his love for sports radio. He mentions his radio show for a little while called “Sticks and Stone”.

Smitty picks some iconic recordings. “Brown and Roach, Inc” by Max Roach, “Free For All” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, “Cymbalism” by Roy Haynes, “The Sidewinder” by Lee Morgan, “Eastern Rebellion” by Cedar Walton, “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis, “The Inner Mounting Flame” by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, “Spectrum” by Billy Cobham, “Bitches Brew” by Miles Davis, “Red Clay” by Freddie Hubbard, “Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy” by Return to Forever, James Brown and Motown.