This week’s guest is Scott Amendola. Scott Amendola, the drummer, composer and bandleader who’s been a creative force on the Bay Area jazz scene (and far beyond) for the past three decades, knows all about the power of subtraction. His new stripped-down trio SticklerPhonics brings together long-time collaborators Raffi Garabedian on tenor saxophone and trombonist Danny Lubin-Laden, NewYork-seasoned improvisers who’ve worked together since their formative years in the vaunted Berkeley High Jazz Band, circa 2003.

The trio has plunged into the unmediated terrain that opens up in the absence of the usual guidelines,“a situation where there’s no bass and no chords,” Amendola said. “The sound is ever evolving.We’re really settling in, but there’s also the feeling like there are places to go. We’ve been adding my electronics and Danny bringing in a little looper. We’re just getting started.”

With all three players contributing original compositions, SticklerPhonics is a volatile combo that can draw on a vast continuum of jazz practices, from traditional jazz polyphony and ambient soundscapes to funk and free jazz.Amendola, who first gained national attention in the Grammy-nominated three-guitar and drums band T.J.Kirk, has a deep well of experience in unusual instrumental settings.His long-running duo with Hammond B-3organist Wil Blades got its start when they developed an impressively detailed version of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s late masterpiece Far East Suite.

There aren’t many models to follow for SticklerPhonics, though Barondown with tenor saxophonist Ellery Eskelin and trombonist Steve Swell is a major source of inspiration. “Scott hipped me to that group,” said Garabedian. “It’s fun to be in this almost uncomfortable situation. You need melody, rhythm,and harmony, and the challenge is how can you successfully get all that with what you’re working with.”

Graduates to the New School who have both released ambitious albums of their own, Garadedian and Lubin-Laden co-led Brass Magic, a stylistically omnivorous, horn-laden band that melded funk and rock, R&B and an array of international brass band idioms. Their deep connection on and off the bandstand informs the music of SticklerPhonics, which continues to calibrate different approaches for various spaces.

“We had this chemistry right awayas teenagers,” Lubin-Laden said.“It seems like Scott is in a very similar place to us musically. SticklerPhonics feels very exposed, but there’s this freedom in being able to accompany each other when we take solos.And Scott is the miracle glue for the whole thing. He’s such a force of nature as a drummer.

”Born in New Jersey and long based in Berkeley, Amendola has woven a dense and far-reaching web of bandstand relationships that tie him to leading artists in jazz, blues, rock, new music and beyond.A creative catalyst as a bandleader, composer, and accompanist, he’s collaborated closely with artists such as guitarists Nels Cline, Jeff Parker, John Schott and Charlie Hunter, organist Wil Blades, violinists Jenny Scheinman and Regina Carter, saxophonists Larry Ochs and Phillip Greenlief, and clarinetist Ben Goldberg, players who’ve all forged singular paths within and beyond the realm of jazz. He’s led or co-led some two dozen albums and contributed to more than 100 recordings.

A Berkeley native now living in Oakland,Lubin-Laden studied with Art Baron, Alan Ferber, Lee Konitz and Ambrose Akinmusirie at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. In addition to SticklerPhonics,he performs in a wide array of settings, including the Jackie McLean repertory band JACKNIFE, Oakland R&B legend Johnny Talbot and DeThangs, the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, and Brass Magic, the stylistically encompassing ensemble he co-led with Raffi Garabedian. Healso leads his own projects.

Born and raised in Berkeley, Garabedian studied with jazz heavyweights such as Tony Malaby, Mark Turner, Chris Cheek, Bill McHenry and Andrew Cyrille at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.He’s recorded and performed with a variety of artists, including Jorge Rossy, Ben Street,Dayna Stephens, and R&B innovatorJohnny Talbot. He can be found playing around the Bay Area with the ElectricSqueezebox Orchestra and leading his own quartet and octet, and also performs with his brother, New York bassist Noah Garabedian.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Terence F. Clark! Terence is a Memphis based drummer, producer and overall creative. Known for his impeccable and soulful performances, his professionalism and discipline of craft, Terence has traveled the world building relationships with and through music. As Terence finds inspiration in his travels and engaging other cultures, he always lends inspiration with his unique brand of performance, solid groove and musical knowledge and excellence. It's always been more than “just about the music”, to Terence; it's about creating the very best and discovering a community of artists with which to learn from and create with along the way.

Terence began to dream about making music at the age of two. His father, Marc Clark, an organist and pianist and grandfather Loyce F. Clark, a guitarist and legendary quartet vocalist, became his early mentors along with music producers, Kevin Paige and Niko Lyras. Terence developed the gritty elements of his style while playing with local bands on Beale Street. Those experiences stirred up his love for the city’s music legacy and heartbeat of all musical forms. His professional career has spanned from touring nationally and internationally as well as recording with an eclectic array of artists of many genres. He currently tours with the legendary, Robert Cray Band. A musical education and real-life experiences have refined his talents.

Terence is also a Producer and Co-Founder of The Undertone Collective, a production company that enables artists by providing a vast range of media and production services. He's passionate about furthering the legendary music that Memphis has always heralded, while creating a support and resource system for new and experiences artists. Terence is currently mentored by David Porter, Tommy Sims, James Waddell, and Steve Jordan. His musical inspiration stems from the likes of Steve Jordan, Al Jackson Jr., Howard Grimes, Steve Gadd, Tony Williams, Dennis Chambers, William Kennedy, Dan Needham, Dave Weckl, Marvin McQuitty, and Austin Bradley.

Working with Terence means working with an artist whose creativity and versatility are only matched by his personal warmth and dedication to the project. His passion is not only for the art, but for the artist.

Happy Birthday to Amaury Acosta! Amaury (aka King Klave) is a Cuban American Drummer, Producer, Composer, & Educator. He authentically blends his Afro-Cuban roots with the various Musical influences he experienced growing up in Hell's Kitchen NYC! Amaury Acosta (aka King Klave) is a Cuban American Drummer, Producer, Composer, & Educator.

Happy Birthday to Paul Wertico! Hailed in the press as "One of the most versatile and musical drummers in music today", Paul Wertico was born January 5, 1953 in Chicago. He gained worldwide recognition as a member of the Pat Metheny Group from 1983 to 2001. During his tenure with Metheny, Wertico played on ten recordings and four videos, appeared on numerous television shows, and frequently toured around the world. He also won seven Grammy Awards (for "Best Jazz Fusion Performance," "Best Contemporary Jazz Performance," and "Best Rock Instrumental Performance"), magazine polls, and received several gold records.

In recent years, Wertico has continued to tour and perform around the world, as well as around the Chicago metropolitan area, where he is based. This led to the creation of his own band (the Paul Wertico Trio) and collaborations with jazz notables such as Larry Coryell, Kurt Elling, and Jeff Berlin. These collaborations enabled Wertico to be featured on group recordings in a variety of musical genres, and also gave him an opportunity to produce records. In 2009, Wertico's trio joined forces with Marbin, which consisted of Israeli musicians Danny Markovitch (saxophone) and Dani Rabin (guitar). The group performed as Paul Wertico's Mid-East/Mid-West Alliance, and recorded an album for the Chicago Sessions label that received accolades from publications such as the Chicago Tribune, DRUM!, and Modern Drummer. Wertico's current group is Wertico Cain & Gray, featuring multi-instrumentalists David Cain and Larry Gray. A 2013 recording by Wertico Cain & Gray, entitled Sound Portraits, won "Best Live Performance Album" in the 13th Annual Independent Music Awards (2014).

When not touring, Wertico divides his career doing session work, producing, composing, and leading his own groups, as well as teaching. Among the musicians he has played with are: Eddie Harris, Lee Konitz, Dave Liebman, Sam Rivers, Bob Mintzer, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco, Roscoe Mitchell, Evan Parker, Jay McShann, Herbie Mann, Randy Brecker, Jerry Goodman, Ramsey Lewis, David Bowie, Charlie Haden, George Coleman, Diane Schuur, Nelson Riddle, Sonny Fortune, Ken Nordine, Tierney Sutton, and many others. Wertico was a member of the Larry Coryell Power Trio until Coryell's death in 2017. From 2000 to 2007, he was a member of the platinum-record-winning Polish progressive rock band, SBB. He is also the inventor of TUBZ, made by Promark, who also makes the “Paul Wertico Signature Hickory Wood Tip Drumstick” (TX808W ).

Happy Birthday to Tom Aungst! Tom is the Director of Percussion at Dartmouth Public Schools in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. His job includes teaching percussion students at all levels of the program, from the beginners starting in 5th grade, to the middle and high school students. Mr. Aungst has been in the Dartmouth school system for the past 24 years. Under Tom's direction, Dartmouth has participated in the WGI indoor percussion activity since 1998, capturing five World Class Percussion Championships (1998, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2014) and has consistently placed in the top three.

Mr. Aungst has also been involved in the drum corps activity for over 36 years. Tom has recently returned to The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps as the Caption Head and Arranger for the 2017 season. He was formerly the Caption Head for Carolina Crown in 2015 and 2016. Mr. Aungst got his start in drum corps in the late 70's by marching with the Reading Buccaneer's all-age corps, winning two DCA World Championships in 1979 and 1980. In 1981 Tom became involved with The Cadets, first as a member from 1981-1984, then as the Percussion Arranger and Caption Head through 2008 and later returning as a consultant in 2013. While with the corps, Tom was involved with capturing nine championships and seven percussion awards. Mr. Aungst has always remained actively involved in the drum corps activity, recently writing for the Cadets2 corps in 2013, and working with various groups like the Blue Stars, Pacific Crest, Hawthorne Caballeros, and the Connecticut Hurricanes. Tom is a member of The Cadets, Drum Corps International and the WGI Halls of Fame.

Mr. Aungst is a graduate of West Chester University, where he received his Bachelor's in Music Education and also has a Master's in Jazz Performance from Rutgers University. He is also a proud father to Alan Aungst and Noah Aungst.

Gig Alerts

Marimbafest 2024 is returning for the 5th year in a row. The biggest festival and competition in the southern hemisphere is back again. It will take place from June 30th-July6th 2024. Friends of the show, Kana Omori and Master Christopher Thompson will be two of the faculty artists.

Mark Guiliana will be doing two more solo shows in Brooklyn, NY Jan 13th and L.A. Jan 18th.

The Brubeck Jazz Summit will be taking place at Lake Tahoe from July 7th-13th 2024. Friend of the show Bryan Carter is one of the faculty members.

Damon will be participating in the Montreal Day of Percussion, which is part of “The Space Between”. This will be at McGill University (QC) on January 25-27, 2024. Similar to the previous gathering, this event will feature lectures, demonstrations, performances, and research posters. Organized in collaboration with the Quebec Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society/Day of Percussion 2024 (shout-out to the chapter president/friend of the show, Shawn Mativetsky), this event is open to all percussionists from Canada and abroad. Thanks to a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant (PDG), this event will be free of charge to all participants. The Space Between 2024 will bring together perspectives from both research-creation (i.e., new works for percussion, different approaches to performance) and percussion-focused research (i.e., examining percussionists’ gestures, analyzing percussion acoustics). We aim to explore the “space between” these typically siloed efforts, to build new connections and benefit from a wider range of perspectives and expertise related to the ever-growing world of percussion.

This event will be held through a partnership with the Québec chapter of the Percussive Arts Society Jan 25-26. The Québec Day of Percussion will take place January 27th (info for that event can be found at: DAY OF PERCUSSION. Tickets are AVAILABLE HERE. Other friends of the show that will be participating that weekend are Payton MacDonald and Andrea Venet.

The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps has an opening for a bass drummer. You will be promoted to staff sergeant after you complete boot camp. You can learn more about the Old Guard and other marching percussion styles from friend of the show, Mark Reilly.

Educational Spotlight

The Percussive Arts Society will be hosting percussion ensemble competitions and festivals this coming year.

You can register now for upcoming events!

Iconic Recording

The iconic recording was chosen by Scott. It is “Little Symphony” by Ornette Coleman from the album ‘Twins’. Also performing on this album are: Drums: Billy Higgins, Double Bass: Charlie Haden, Cornet: Don Cherry, Alto Saxophone: Ornette Coleman, and Produced by: Nesuhi Ertegun.

Music News

The 24th global edition of MUSEXPO, the renowned conference and showcase event, is poised to illuminate Burbank, CA, from March 17 to 20, 2024. Aptly titled “United Nations of Music,” this gathering transcends the ordinary, carving its niche as an indispensable cornerstone of the global music business calendar. -Article

Metallica announces the winner of their Metallica Marching Band Competition, with $85,000 in musical instruments and equipment going to the school’s music program.

Metallica’s James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo have chosen the winners of the Metallica Marching Band Competition, announcing the results Sunday night on social media. The top spot went to the Auburn University Marching Band in Alabama, which also earned the honor of fan favorite, which was determined via online voting. Auburn will receive a total of $85,000 in musical instruments and equipment for the school’s programs. -Article

Scott Amendola Interview

The song leading into the interview is, “Well Blazed” performed by the Sticklerphonics.

Damon met Scott at a Victoria Victoria performance with his longtime friend Charlie Hunter playing guitar and bass with him.

Scott moved to the bay area in 1992, started working with Charlie in 1993 from subbing for Jay Lane.

Scott delivered bread when he first moved.

Scott talks about making music his full time job.

Scott talks about the scale of music pay for musicians.

Damon and Scott talk about touring and venues being affected by streaming, the pandemic and more.

Scott talks about understanding streaming.

Since CDs aren’t as viable, here are some other merch ideas to sell at gigs. With vinyl being expensive to make and manufacture, there are options for one offs and short runs.

Damon mentions the Junk Fee Act and the hearing on Capitol Hill.

Scott mentions canceling tours because of cost.

Scott talks about the scene in the San Fransisco bay area.

Scott grew up in Tenafly, NJ and attended Berklee College of Music.

Scott was introduced to music by his grandfather, Tony Gottuso, a guitar player.

Scott studied with Sonny Igoe.

Scott talks about spending time with Jack DeJohnette.

Scott talks about playing with some of his idols and heroes, especially guitar players.

Scott talks about working with Nels Cline.

Scott talks about his experience going to Berklee.

Shout-out to Jay Bellerose and Dan Rieser.

Scott mentions the Invisible Bird EP that came out on Bandcamp.

The Sticklerphonics will be releasing their new EP on May 3rd. You can hear some of their previous work on SoundCloud.

Scott is friends with Roger Linn.

Scott picks the iconic recording for the week. Honorable mention is “Sounds of Joy” with Ed Blackwell on drums, Anthony Cox on Bass and Joe Lovano on Sax.

Scott talks about the book he’s writing.

Scott records and teaches from home and you can contact him here. Scott also teaches at the University of California at Berkeley.

Scott uses Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Craviotto Drums, Low Boy Beaters, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Evans Drumheads, Divine Noise Cables, ZT Amps, and Red Panda Pedals.

Shout-out to the late John Shifflett.

You can follow Scott on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

The song leading out of the interview is “Blues for Istanbul” by Scott from his album ‘Lift’, featuring John Shifflett on bass.