#337 Justin Faulkner- Drummer, Educator, Philanthropist and More!
This week’s guest is Justin Faulkner. Philadelphia native, drummer, educator, and philanthropist Justin Faulkner has cultivated a sound that invites, entertains, informs, and heals.
Throughout his career, Faulkner has shared the stage with musical luminaries like Kenny Barron, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Peter Nero, Jimmy Heath, Orrin Evans, Ornette Coleman, Sean Jones, Tim Warfield, Bernard Purdie, Pharoah Saunders, Terence Blanchard, Mingus Big Band/Dynasty/Orchestra, Bootsie Barnes, Jacky Terrasson, Terrence Howard, Bilal, Christian McBride and continues to be the drummer of choice for numerous others.
Justin's training began at the Girard Academic High School Music Program (GAMP). At seven years old, his formal education included studying classical percussion with Susan Jones and jazz drums and percussion with Samuel Ruttenberg. Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, and Choral Ensemble education at the Kimmel Center created a new understanding of community and the creative ecosystem. The Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts provided freedom of expression for a young musician to find his way. Principal Timpanist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Don Liuzzi, cultivated the detail-oriented nature necessary to craft the full musical experiences Faulkner presents.
As a child prodigy, Justin entered the jazz scene at the tender age of 13, playing his first professional gig with bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma of Ornette Coleman's band Primetime. In the coming years, his apprenticeships with Orrin Evans, J.D. Walter, Boris Kozlov, Bootsie Barnes, Denise King, Michelle Beckham, and The Charles Mingus Big Band would shape the still teenager into a gentleman entering the scene elegantly and with a presence.
On March 19, 2009, his 18th birthday, Faulkner started his tenure with the Branford Marsalis Quartet. Since then, Faulkner has toured the world extensively for the last 11 years. The musical expedition has included performances at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Michener Museum (Doylestown, PA), The Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), Jazz at Lincoln Center( New York City), The Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia), The Blue Note Jazz Club (Tokyo, Japan), Royal Opera House (Muscat, Oman), Vienna Konzerthaus (Vienna, Austria), and Concertgebouw (Amsterdam, Netherlands), to name a few.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Wolf! Steven Wolf (also known simply as Wolf) is one of the world’s most in-demand studio musicians.
His discography includes numerous #1, Gold, Platinum, and Grammy winning records.
A virtuoso drummer and world class programmer, with an encyclopedic musical vocabulary spanning every musical genre, his distinctive skill-set and versatility have made him the "go-to" rhythmic solution
for a long list of the world's top recording artists and producers. In addition to drumming and programming, he's also an accomplished producer, songwriter, and remixer.
Happy Birthday to James Gadson! James (born June 17, 1939) is an American drummer and session musician. Beginning his career in the late 1960s, Gadson has since become one of the most-recorded drummers in the history of R&B. He is also a singer and songwriter.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Gadson played with the first line-up of Charles Wright's Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, and recorded three albums with them between 1968 and 1970. Along with other members of Wright's band he went on to appear on many hit records, including with Dyke & the Blazers. Gadson started to become well known as a drummer following the release of the album Still Bill by Bill Withers, released by Sussex Records in 1972. He played on The Temptations album 1990, released on the Motown label in 1973. In 1975 he played with Freddie King on Larger Than Life and went on to record with Martha Reeves, Randy Crawford, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, B.B. King, Albert King, Rose Royce, Elkie Brooks and many more artists. In 1975 he anchored the Motown classic double platinum album City Of Angels, recorded by Billy Griffin & The Miracles.
Gadson was also the drummer on Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" in 1976 and Diana Ross's hit 1976 single Love Hangover and appeared on two tracks, "At The Mercy" and "Riding To Vanity Fair", on the 2005 Paul McCartney album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.
He has a brief appearance in the Adam Sandler 2009 movie Funny People as a member of the jam band that Sandler's character hires to play with him.
In April 2009, Gadson joined Alex Dixon, grandson of Willie Dixon, on his 2009 release titled Rising From The Bushes, in which he appeared on two tracks, "Fantasy" and Willie Dixon's famous song "Spoonful".
In June 2009, Gadson joined Beck, Wilco, Feist and Jamie Lidell covering Skip Spence's Oar as part of Beck's Record Club series, with videos appearing on Beck's website beginning November 2009. He has drummed on Beck's albums Sea Change, The Information and Morning Phase, as well as Jamie Lidell's 2010 album Compass. Gadson played drums, as well as hambone (slapping his legs), on the D'Angelo song "Sugah Daddy", on the Black Messiah album (2014). He appeared in the 2016 video for “Mama Can’t Help You No More,” by Doyle Bramhall II. You can see a list of some of the credits for James’ work by CLICKING HERE.
Happy Birthday to Kana Omori! Kana Omori is an international marimbist and percussionist from Japan.
Kana has been awarded several prizes, including First Prize at the International Music Competition in Kobe, Japan in 2006 and the First Prize and Absolute Prize at the International Percussion Competition in Italy, in 2010, where she was also awarded a special prize from jury member N. J. Zivkovic. In 2011, she was awarded the Cultural Prize of the City of Kyoto.
Kana has performed as a marimba soloist with many orchestras throughout Japan and has appeared on several Japanese music television and radio broadcasts.
Having released six albums of marimba music. And her newest album, Gifts Of The Wood, has got an “Semi-Specialty Aword” in Japanese record magazine. Kana is always interested in performing, recording and premiering new works written for her. Her 7th album is coming soon. She has also published a collection of essays My Dreams and many books of her arrangements, include “Masterpieces of Classical Music on Marimba” by HCO Music. Kana’s many arrangements are published by Edition Svitzer.
Kana has given recitals, master classes and clinics around Europe, the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, and Argentina. She was a member of the jury for the final round of The Japan Classical Music Competition. She has been a member of faculty and jury of The International Marimbafest Festival and Competition in Australia since 2019.
Kana completed both her Masters of Music and graduate studies at the Osaka College of Music. Additionally, Ms. Omori completed a Masters of Music at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, Germany, where she studied with a percussion legend, Dr. Peter Sadlo.
Kana is an international artist of Adams Percussion, Encore Mallets, Inc/Salyers Percussion, Aluphone, and Sabian Cymbals. Kana has her own signature line of mallets “Kana Omori Signature Mallets Series” with Encore Mallets, Inc. Fall Creek Marimbas designed a special glockenspiel model named after Kana Omori - the “KANA-Glock”. And, Adams Percussion has made a special pink colored marimba for her.
Now she is a tourist ambassador in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan as well as a presenter of her radio program “Kana’s Marimba Twitting”. Starting in April of 2023, she is a lecturer of the Osaka College of Music.
Happy Birthday to Chris Robley! Chris Robley concerts are like comet-sightings: rare, unforgettable, and once experienced, you are mysteriously changed.
He is undoubtedly one of the finest singer-songwriters of any age since the Triassic, evidenced by a litany of useless critical accolades.
His gothic indie-pop and Americana, which first coalesced in the fluoride-free waters of Portland, Oregon, has bloomed like August algae in a shallow lake since his hurried emigration from the West. Such a stunningly bright talent couldn't sit still at the end of the frontier; nay, he followed a voice commanding "Go East, middle-aged man."
You may not have noticed, so subtle and substantial are his songs, but the sun stopped rising about four years ago. What's that life-giving and life-sustaining light rising in the east each morning? It's Chris Robley's music. SPF 30 or higher recommended.
That his songs are ubiquitous and necessary as sunlight, yet his performances infrequent as our encounters with comets — this is the great paradox of the modern era. Luckily for us, an algorithm will sort it all out.
Gig Alerts
The Peach Music Festival is happening from June 29th-July 2nd.
The North Sea Jazz Festival is happening from July 7th-9th with the Branford Marsalis Quartet performing on the 9th.
Branford’s group (with Justin) is also going to be playing at the Umbria Jazz Festival from July 7th-16th. Branford will be playing on July 11th.
Educational Spotlight
The educational spotlight for this week is that after a 3 year absence, Babara Bangoura Fakoly is returning to Guinea for the 6th International North-South Cultural Exchange Festival & Tour 2023. Join him and his group of musicians and dancers (including friend of the show, Monette Marino) - Saboughnouma GPS - for this immersive 3-week tour (from December 23rd to January 13th) when you will live and experience the beautiful culture, music, dance and traditions of Guinea. You will feel the lively energies and joy of being in West Africa from the time your plane lands at the airport and be greeted with smiles and music. The tour will be filled with learning West African rhythms, dance and their histories, meeting Djembe masters, experience the different ceremonies and lively street Dundunbas. Teach the Guineans a bit of your language and they will share their Susu or Malinke dialect with you. Meet old friends and make new ones. Celebrate Christmas and New Year in the tropics and you will party Guinean style!!! If you have never been to West Africa before, come to this tour - Babara Bangoura Fakoly will show you his home and the culture that he is sure you will grow to love. More details to be posted HERE
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording this week was picked by Justin and is from the album “Black Market”. Damon chose the title track, “Black Market” (which is track #1). The personnel for the album is below.
Musicians:
Joe Zawinul — Yamaha Grand Piano, Rhodes Electric Piano, 2 × ARP 2600, Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer, orchestration
Wayne Shorter — Selmer soprano and tenor saxophones, Computone Lyricon
Alphonso Johnson — electric bass
Jaco Pastorius — electric fretless bass (tracks 2 & 6)
Narada Michael Walden — drums (tracks 1 and 2)
Chester Thompson — drums (track 1, tracks 3–7)
Alex Acuña — congas, percussion (tracks 2–5, track 7) - Friend of the show!
Don Alias — percussion (tracks 1 and 6)
Music News
The Recording Academy has issued new guidelines of eligibility for consideration that exclude solely AI works.
The new rule stipulates that “only human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a Grammy Award.” The guidelines and rules have changed in response to the explosion of AI in the music industry in 2023. These new protocols are designed to help recognize human contributions to the arts. -Article
About seven months after the president promised to crack down on live entertainment tickets’ “hidden junk fees,” representatives from Live Nation, DICE, SeatGeek, and other companies are convening at the White House to announce or reiterate their respective commitments to “all-in upfront pricing.”
The White House formally announced the meeting with execs (and outlined the represented companies’ efforts to do away with hidden ticket charges) this morning; a livestream for the event is scheduled to begin at 10:45 AM PST. Back in November, on exactly the same day that Live Nation posted its Q3 2022 financials, the president in a tweet called out “hidden junk fees – like processing fees on concert tickets.” -Article
Anita Baker asks Babyface to “call off” his fans after his slashed opening set at a performance of her Songstress Tour leads to online bullying and threatening.
Songbird Anita Baker has publicly asked musician Babyface to “call off” his devoted fan base, claiming that they have threatened and bullied her online over the latter’s cut opening set during a May performance of her Songstress Tour. -Article
Justin Faulkner Interview
The song leading into the interview is “The Windup” performed by the Branford Marsalis Quartet, from the ‘The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul’ album.
Damon and Justin met at the Zildjian 400th anniversary party in NYC.
Justin attended Berklee College of Music.
Shout-out to Rodd Bland for hipping Damon (and subsequently Justin) to the app, Qrafter, where you can make QR codes for things like your contact info and more.
Justin talks about the Jill Scott tune “It’s Love” featuring Rare Essence and the Go-Go groove on it.
Shout-out to Carrington Brown and Kush Abadey and others for introducing Justin to Go-Go.
Justin attended Girard Academic High School Music Program. He talks about his audition process.
Justin talks about some of his interactions in Philly with other musicians.
Shout-out to being elected chapter governor for the recording academy.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Aaron Draper. Justin names some additional Philly musicians including: (friend of the show) Brian Frasier-Moore, Lil John Roberts, George “Spanky” McCurdy, Eric “Boots” Greene, Erik Tribbett, Jonathan Blake and more!
Justin talks about keeping relationships with other musicians. Shout-out to his brother, Nazir Ebo.
Eric Revis has been a great mentior for Justin and also friend of the show, J.J. Johnson.
Justin talks about the James Brown song “Since You’ve Been Gone”.
Justin talks about how he breaks down approaching playing songs.
Shout-out to Rob "Wacko" Hunter.
Justin brings up the album “Red and Black in Willisau” with Dewey Redman and Ed Blackwell.
Damon mentions the song, “Move on Up”. Justin mentions the song “Deep Henderson” by King Oliver.
Justin talks about playing with percussionists.
Justin also talks about creating parts for the songs like this Art Blakey tune or Elvin on “Deluge”.
THIS might be the PBS commercial Justin is talking about.
Shout-out to Benjamin Martin and TJ (Thomas) Moore Jr. for helping to inspire Justin.
Below might be the Fisher Price drum that Justin got his start on.
Justin talks about his path in music this far.
He teaches privately (in person and virtually): CONTACT JUSTIN, and also at Temple University.
Justin and his family run the Community Unity Music Festival and they have a festival performance coming up on August 26th. He talks about what the 501-C-3 non-profit organization does for the community.
Damon brings up the organization Be An Arts Hero. He and Justin brainstorm some people that could be a good secretary for the arts in the U.S. Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and Winton Marsalis are a couple of options.
Justin has a new job as the Philadelphia Youth Jazz Orchestra Director.
Justin and Damon talk about music discovery.
Shout-out to Virgil Abloh.
R.I.P. to friend of the show, Leonard "Doc" Gibbs.
Justin picks out the iconic recording for the week.
Justin uses Craviatto Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Tama Hardware and Pedals, Temple University, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute, Community Unity Music Festival, The Philadelphia Recording Academy Chapter, The Philadelphia Music Scene, The Branford Marsalis Quartet, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tia Fuller, Miriam Sullivan (pka: Mimi Jones), Shirazette Tinnin, and Justin’s mom Carol.
Shout-out to friends of the show, Marcos Lopez, Paulo Stagnaro, and Gabo Lugo.
You can follow Justin on: his Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is, “Two Circles” by Guitarist Tom Guarna, from the album ‘Spirit Science’.
