#408 Ernesto Marichales- Percussionist, Drummer, Producer and More!
Born into a Venezuelan family with a musical heritage, grew up among musicians and artists, Ernesto has been playing percussion since the age of 8 and touring professionally with his family since he was 10. In Venezuela had The opportunity to work with important folk and latin music Icons. Since a very young age showed Interest for the Caribbean rhythmic world and percussion Instruments, his journey started when Tata Guerra, a cuban percussionist and composer, friend of his also very influential step father Alberto Rodriguez, gave him a pair of very bad quality bongoes to start studying with him. After some years Ernesto replaces Tata as the Trio Hermanos Rodriguez Percussionist; at the same time he was influenced for hip hop, funk , reggae, afro latin and jazz, studying and playing with great musicians in his hometown, Caracas.
His career in Europe as a prolific and in-demand musician/producer continues growing and diversifying.
Ernesto obtained his BA (Hons) in Music Performance and Production at the London Centre of Contemporary Music (LCCM), Middlesex University in 2013. He has also studied ethnomusicology and photography, and holds a degree in Mass Media and Communication from the Santa Maria University in his hometown of Caracas, Venezuela. In addition to his growing recognition as a musician, Ernesto’s vast experience and impeccable work as a creative director and copywriter have been recognised with a number of international awards.
Ernesto’s musical mentors include: in Venezuela, the Cuban maestro and composer Tata Guerra, the Venezuelan maestro Nene Quintero, and the Yamaha school for classical guitar; and in London, Simon Wallace, Pete Zeldman, Pete Cater, Sid Gauld, Dave O’Higgins, Richard Brooks, Graham Fox, Mark Armstrong and Bryan McLellan, among others.
Ernesto has also taught drums (2015-2017 at London City Academy and London Centre of Contemporary Music), written music for films and commercials for brands like Wella Sassoon, 7 up, BMW, Bayer, Gatorade. among others, been the Musical Director of the London Cabaret Club and worked as a percussionist on the West End show Motown.
In 2017 won as Musician of the year in the UK Latin american awards (lukas Awards), as a percussionist, drummer or producer Ernesto have worked in more than 30 albums till the date. -Read More
Happy Birthday!
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.
Happy Birthday to Ney Rosauro! Ney is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ney Rosauro has developed a successful international career as a percussionist, composer and pedagogue.
With his unique style of writing which combines charming melodies with catchy rhythms, he utilizes the rich elements of Brazilian folklore to create stylized compositions that are full of life and fantasy, and has been enchanting audiences all over the world.
Happy Birthday to Kris Pooley! Born and raised outside Detroit Michigan. Now living in California, Kristopher primarily composes and produces music for television and film. Also a highly experienced live music director Kristopher is currently the musical director for American Idol and has worked all over the world for more than two decades. Music directing tours and performances on nearly every major awards show and TV show in the world.
Gig Alerts
The Soulshine Festival is happening on November 24th at Madison Square Garden to help those affected by the hurricanes in the South East USA.
Shout out to everyone who helped make the Concert for Carolina happen. It raised $24.5 million dollars in aid. -Read More
Damon has some clinics and masterclasses coming up at universities before heading out to PASIC.
Educational Spotlight
The deadline to get tickets ONLINE for PASIC is Oct 31st. After that, you need to get them in person at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was chosen by Ernesto. It is, “Na Carioca” by the Itiberê Orquestra from the album 'Pedra do Espia'.
Music News
There is a new music venue in the Bronx, NY called The Bronx Music Hall. They just released their fall concert schedule.
There are some retirees in China taking up new activities including drumming!
Bandcamp Fridays are back. The first Friday of each month allows for 100% of the proceeds of album and merch sales to go to the artist. -Read More
Make sure you make a plan to VOTE if you are in the USA. You can get all the information you need and make a plan HERE ON VOTE (DOT) ORG.
If you are still unsure, undecided or on the fence about who you want to vote for, TAKE THIS NON PARTISAN QUIZ. after you answer the questions (honestly), it will show you who you align with percentagewise.
Ernesto Marichales Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Trust” by Jordan Rakei from the album, “The Loop”. Ernesto plays percussion on it.
Ernesto found out about Damon and the podcast from (friend of the show) Will Fry’s interview.
Damon found out about Ernesto from hearing Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch.
Ernesto mentions using folkloric Venzeualan rhythms like Quitiplas and Culo e’ Puya on pop recordings.
Damon mentions neighboring rights.
Ernesto talks about some folkloric music of Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean.
Ernesto played and toured with his family band (step dad and uncles) as early as 10 years old.
Shout-out to Tata Guerra and Nene Quintero.
Ernesto talks about the other members of the Quintero family (Luisito, Roberto, Chuy and Anderson).
Damon mentions WIlliams Cumberbache in London.
Ernesto started studying ethnomusicology, photography, mass media, and communications at Santa Maria University in Caracas before leaving Venezuela.
Ernesto talks about support from his family. Also, why he plays music (spoiler alert, it’s not for the money).
Ernesto studied classical guitar as well.
Ernesto went to the London College of Contemporary Music. He talks about that journey.
He talks about how his journalism skills helped with some musical jobs he has received.
Damon and Ernesto talk about ambidexterity and being left handed vs. right handed.
Ernesto talks about Orlando Poleo. Damon and Ernesto talk about melodic congueros like Miguel “Anga” Diaz and Carlos “Patato” Valdez.
Ernesto mentions THIS VIDEO with four monster congueros in Paris, FR.
Ernesto did the show Motown in the West End of London.
This is the list of R&B percussionists with Paulo Stagnaro, to check out and follow (some are friends of the show - in bold):
Ralph MacDonald, Eddie “Bongo” Brown, “Master” Henry Gibson, Bobbye Hall, “Papa” Dee Allen, Larry Washington, Rufino “Chano” O’Ferral, Don Alias, Marvin Gaye (yes, Marvin played on some Motown records as the percussionist), Jack Ashford, King Errisson, Earl DeRouen, Johnny Griggs, “Doc” Leonard Gibbs, Munyungo Jackson, Aaron Draper, Frank Knuckles, Kevin Ricard, Steve Kroon, Terry Santiel, Brevan Hamden, and Ron Powell.
Damon mentions Jose Mangual Jr.
Shout-out to Thomas Dyani.
Ernesto and Damon talk about going beyond patterns and exploring melodies and your “own sound”
Ernesto picks the iconic recording.
Ernesto uses Latin Percussion, Gewa Drums, Vater Drumsticks and Cosmic In Ear Monitors.
Shout-out to Nene Quintero, Tata Guerra, Oreste 'Sambroso' Noda, and Pete Zeldman.
You can follow Ernesto on tour with Jordan Rakei, on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is, “Police Dem” by Idris Ackamoor and the Pyramids from the album, ‘Afro Futuristic Dreams’.
