#417 Kevin Ricard- Percussionist, Composer, Bandleader and More!
This week’s guest is Kevin Ricard. For Kevin, versatility and musicality are the most important things he brings to each recording or performance. Whether it's the Brazilian groove of Sergio Mendes, the smooth Latin Jazz of Herb Alpert, or rockin' with legends like Steve Winwood and Kenny Loggins, Kevin shows he can move smoothly between diverse styles. "I love the challenge and the excitement of switching gears between different musical situations." He brings a sense of groove to the Rock, Jazz, Pop and R&B sounds, and adds authenticity to the Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian styles.
Growing up in Santa Monica, California Kevin listened to a variety of music. He lists his main influences as Mongo Santamaria, Airto, Patato, Nana Vasconcelos, Tito Puente and Don Alias. His long list of recording credits includes Joe Zawinul, B.B. King, Wayne Shorter, Joshua Kadison, Everett Harp, Kleber Jorge, Venice, Gloria Loring and numerous others. Kevin has also performed on a number of movie scores including Speed, The Adams Family Values, A Bugs Life and My Favorite Martian.
Recently, Kevin has been busy adding his unique talents to new releases by Gerald Albright, Everett Harp, Shelby Lynne, Van Hunt, Yolanda Adams, and Norman Brown. In January of this year, he joined the house band for the Fourth Annual "BET Celebration of Gospel", and in February he played on the pre-record for Beyonce's Grammy Award performance of "Dangerously in Love".
"Get Shorty", and he joined the house band for Clive Davis's annual pre-Grammy party. His busy schedule has also included a recent appearance on the Tonight Show with Shelby Lynne, joining the house orchestra for "The TV Land Awards", and a trip to London accompanying vocalist, Rhian Benson, for whom he is Musical Director, who performed on MTV Europe's "Bass Lounge". Kevin also just wrapped his fourth season of recording the underscore for the hit CBS sitcom "King of Queens".
Kevin's newest gig is with Fox's "American Idol". He has just started his first season doing the weekly pre-record for the popular reality series. In April, Kevin will be part of the house band for the annual "VH-1 Divas Live" show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which airs on April 18, 2004. He will be performing with Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Joss Stone, Cyndi Lauper, Jessica Simpson and Ashanti.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Ivan Llanes (Episode 386 and Episode 279). In an ever-expanding and increasingly globalized music industry, Cuban American percussionist and singer Ivan Llanes stands out as one of the most exciting musicians of his generation. Originally hailing from Camaguey, Cuba, Ivan has earned himself a top tier reputation in New York City for both his broad range of percussion skills as well as his distinctive voice and song writing style. Ivan is currently a member of jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker’s quintet, with whom he has performed in notable jazz festivals throughout the United States and has been featured on TV shows including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Ivan is also lead vocalist with latin supergroup People of Earth, with whom he has performed alongside the Los Angeles Philharmonic and New World Symphony, among others. Prior to relocating to the United States in 2011, Ivan toured Cuba, Europe and the United States with legendary Cuban flutist Maraca. Since moving to the United States, Ivan has performed and/or recorded with Grammy-winners Arturo O’Farrill, Nella, Carlinhos Brown, Descemer Bueno as well as with Emmy award winning composer Katreese Barnes. As a prolific and creative composer, Ivan has led collaborative projects on Congahead, the premiere latin music youtube channel, with over 250k views across his various productions. He also leads his own project, Ivan Llanes and The Cuban Way, which has performed in some of NYC’s most prestigious venues including National Sawdust, Bonafide, Fat Cat, the Bronx Museum, and at the Havana Film Festival. Currently, the group is completing its first album entitled “La Vida Misma”, scheduled for release in 2023. On the educational side of his career, Ivan has collaborated with organizations including 92Y, Carnegie Hall, and Marquis Studios to share his passion and knowledge with young people throughout New York and New Jersey. In Ivan’s words: “I play all Cuban music genres, as well as styles from the United States and beyond. There is always a message of love, peace, joy and acceptance in my playing and I believe that when I share my music, art and culture with the world I can make an impact”.
Happy Birthday to Nate Morton! Self-taught from age 5, Nate's formal drum set training began during high school with Grant Menefee in Baltimore, Maryland. He continued his education in Boston, Massachusetts as a performance major at the renowned Berklee College of Music, studying with drummers such as Ed Uribe, Ian Froman, John Ramsay and Ron Savage. Upon graduating in 1994, he taught and played locally in Boston until moving to Los Angeles in 1999 where he has since amassed live performance and recording credits that include Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Richard Marx, Paul Anka, Paul Stanley, Pete Murray, Pink, Paulina Rubio and Thalia among others. Nate was also the hard hitting force, driving the house band, on the Mark Burnett shows, ROCKSTAR:INXS and ROCKSTAR:Supernova. He cites Animal from The Muppet Show as his first and biggest influence.
In 2010, he was the house band drummer on Bonnie Hunt's day time talk show, as well as performing with Cher for her string of appearances at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Now, you can catch him grooving during prime time on the NBC hit show, THE VOICE.
Nate is proud of his personal and professional relationships with the following companies: Pearl, Zildjian, Remo, Roland, Sennheiser, E-PAD!, Cympad, KellySHU, and BFSD.
Happy Birthday to Victor Pablo! Victor Pablo Garcia Gaetan comes from a musical family from San Juan, Puerto Rico. At an early age, his father Victor Garcia - a pianist/composer - taught him his first rhythms: Puerto Rican plena on panderos, martillo on bongo, marcha on conga, cascara and campaneo on timbales, and songo on drumset.
In New York City Victor Pablo performs in Broadway pits, chamber concerts, jazz jams, salsa gigs, singer-songwriter shows, bombazos, plenazos, and is a member of contemporary percussion quartet Mobius Percussion, bomba/jazz group Fernando García Band, the TM Street Band, and is co-music director/composer/drummer for People of Earth.
Victor is a versatile freelancer in the New York City music scene. Percussionist for Public Work’s Hercules and, he’s worked as timpanist for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes since 2016. VP often works in other Broadway and Off-Broadway shows such as Beetlejuice, The Lion King, On Your Feet!, TINA, Cirque Du Soleil: Paramour, Pacific Overtures, Invisible Thread (Witness Uganda), Flaco Navaja’s Evolution of a Sonero, Fuerza Bruta NYC.
He appears in recordings of Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor García & La Sonora Sanjuanera, Fernando García, TM Street Band, Albert Sánchez, to name a few, and he can be seen in shows like Mozart In The Jungle, America’s Got Talent, and Especial Banco Popular De Puerto Rico Para El Mundo. He’s performed with artists like Arturo O’Farrill, Los Pleneros de la 21, Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, NG2, Michael Stuart, DLG, Frankie Negrón, Cita Rodríguez, Nestor Torres, Dayramir González, La Sonora Sanjuanera, Wordless Music Orchestra, Itai Kriss, La Mecánica Popular, Flaco Navaja, Nina Rodríguez, Redobles de Cultura, La 95 Salsa Orchestra, Orchestra of the Americas, Delaware Symphony, Symphony In C, Philadelphia Orchestra Percussion Group, Sõ Percussion.
At age 7 he studied with veteran drummer and educator Tony Sánchez, who taught him music theory as well. Later on his family moves over a town to Carolina where he studied with David Marcano at Escuela de Bellas Artes before enrolling at Escuela Libre de Música de San Juan. There he studied classical and popular music with Diana Valdés, Fermín Segarra, Mariano Morales, who also taught harmony. During the time he was also a student of Tito De Gracia, and Rolando Morales-Matos who is a dear mentor and friend. Victor later attends Temple University where he earns his BM and MM in Classical Percussion studying with Alan Abel, Chris Deviney, Glenn Steele, and Don Liuzzi.
Victor Pablo is an artist for Meinl Percussion, and has published some of his pieces on Bachovich Music Publications.
Happy Birthday to Terreon Gully! Terreon is one of the most influential artists of his generation. Widely recognized for his creativity, versatility and authenticity, Terreon is in high demand. His innovative and distinct sound has inspired artists such as Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride, Stefon Harris as well as John Beasley’s Monk’estra to make him a member of their bands.
Terreon has mastered a variety of musical genres. He performs, tours and records extensively with a variety of artists. From jazz legends and modern masters to the hottest hip hop icons, Terreon has worked with the best: Kurt Elling, David Sanborn, Nicholas Payton, Kenny Barron, the Stones Project, Sting, Keyon Harrold, Queen Latifa, Yerba Buena, Charlie Hunter, Abbey Lincoln, Joe Locke, Marc Cary, Russell Gunn, Lizz Wright, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Maria Schneider Big Band, Jacky Terrasson, Eldar, Me’Shell NdegeOcello, Lauryn Hill, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, and Common as well as a host of other artists. In addition to live performances, Terreon is also known for his exceptional work in the studio, producing and recording for CDs, films, and commercials; including his first solo project “TANKTIFIED”.
Happy Birthday to Jack Mansager! Jack has been a freelance percussionist and educator in the New York City area for the past 25 years. A native of Norwalk Connecticut, Jack enjoys playing a variety of percussion books on broadway in Disney’s The Lion King, and, back in 2001, was a featured performer in the Tony award winning show Blast!. He was a founding member of the original Percussion People and is excited to be back performing at The Players Theatre. Jack currently lives in Hackensack with his wife and daughter, and teaches music, educational technology, and robotics at The Town School in Manhattan.
Happy Birthday to Charley Poole! Charley Poole has been a fixture on the New England drum and bugle corps scene for more than 60 years since he first played snare drum with St. Paul’s Drum Corps in 1956. He moved to Prospect Drum Corps for seven years starting in 1962, then played snare drum with Boston Crusaders in 1970 and 1971.
He won individual snare drum titles at the state, regional and national levels: four Connecticut state championships; four Northeastern state championships and three national individual snare drum titles.
He has been the arranger, caption head and instructor for many of the best-known New England drum lines, including 27th Lancers of Revere, Massachusetts from 1977 to 1986; East Coast Jazz of Malden, Massachusetts; Fitchburg Kingsmen; Connecticut Yanks Ancient Fife and Drum Corps of Bristol; Fifth Maine Regiment of Portland; St. Aedan’s Emerald Cadets of New Haven and Connecticut Hurricanes.
He has served as a judge with DCI, DCA, WGI and Bands of America. He has taught, arranged and adjudicated drum corps, percussion ensemble and marching band events across the United States, Canada and Japan.
He is a member of the National Association for Music Educators, Massachusetts Music Educators Association, National Association of Rudimental Drummers and the Marching Percussion Committee of the Percussive Arts Society. He has presented clinics for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and Ohio Music Conferences. He is a signature artist with Pro-Mark Drum Sticks, Evans Drum Heads, Zildjian Cymbals and Pearl Drums. He is a member of the Massachusetts Drum Corps Hall of Fame and the DCI Hall of Fame.
Happy Birthday to Marc Quiñones! Marc is an American percussionist, a longtime player in salsa music, and a member of the Southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band.
Born in The Bronx, New York Dic !8,The began playing drums and congas at the age of three and was playing professionally at the age of nine. In his youth he played timbale with Latin music stars such as Tito Puente and co-founded a group named Los Rumberitos. At the age of 17 he joined the salsa music band of Rafael de Jesus. He then graduated from high school.
Quiñones spent the next five years in salsa master Willie Colon's band, playing every percussion instrument at one time or another. His ability to sight-read music led to him becoming musical director of the band for the last two years; he also co-produced one of Colon's albums. He then spent two years playing with Rubén Blades as well as playing on and touring for David Byrne's Latin music Rei Momo project. In 1989 Quiñones joined the jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra where he played for two years.
After a chance meeting with Butch Trucks in 1991, he was recruited to join The Allman Brothers Band. There he plays alongside drummers Trucks and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson: the general pattern is that Trucks is the timekeeper, Johanson adds colors, and Quiñones establishes rhythms that the guitarists can play against.
When the Allmans are not active, Quiñones plays with various salsa bands and works as a session musician for albums (such as Marc Anthony's 2001 Libre), television soundtracks, and commercials.
Gig Alerts
The South Beach Jazz Festival is happening Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Miami Beach Bandshell at 8 PM. Tickets: 20% Off with Code SBJFMB20! Get yours now at sobejazzfestival.com/tickets. Also playing are friends of the show, Little Johnny Rivero, and Camilo Molina in a tribute to Eddie Palmieri.
The Ground Up Music Festival is also happening in Miami from February 8-9, 2025.
The New York Percussion Series featuring Percussion People. The group will be joined by jazz vibe/marimba virtuoso (and friend of the show) Arthur Lipner. The concert will highlight an all-percussion evening of jazz, funk and contemporary music featuring a collection of percussion instruments from around the globe. Other friends of the show that are part of the percussion people include: Michael Sgouros, Jack Mansager, Sean Statser, and Andrew Beall among others.
The International Pride Orchestra has auditions for their gigs in June (Pride Month) in Washington D.C. The deadling is March 1st.
The L.A. Philharmonic has auditions for their Resident Fellows Program. The deadline to apply is February 9th, 2025.
The “President’s Own” Marine Band has openings for percussion that you can audition for. The deadline is February 10th.
The Pittsburgh Symphony has openings in their Fellowship Program that you can audition for. The deadline is March 3rd, 2025.
The National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada has auditions for percussion and the deadline is February 2nd, 2025.
Educational Spotlight
Melissa (aka @Millenialindebt has some suggestions on how to set financial savings goals for 2025. See below.
Iconic Recording
Kevin chose several iconic recordings. The first artist he named was Sergio Mendes and the ‘Brasileiro’ album. Damon chose the song “Magalenha”.
Music News
The TICKET Act has been left in limbo after an intervention from Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Both men demanded multiple rounds of spending cuts last week. -Article
Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” pulled in another $11.6 million at the box office over the weekend, thereby upping its domestic gross past $23 million, according to early sales data. -Article
Drummers Victor Indrizzo and Jake Reed played on the soundtrack for the movie. Jake interviews Victor and they talk about that.
If you want to watch the New Year’s Celebrations from around the world, you can click the video below.
Kevin Ricard Interview
The song leading into the interview is called “Rosas” from Kevin’s new album called, ‘The Crossing’.
Kevin recorded a new album called “The Crossing” and you can get it on Bandcamp. He started during the pandemic of 2020 with upgrading his recording gear and then expanding on his ideas.
Damon mentions the 360 degree songwriting. He mentions the tune “Legacies” and the influences for that song and others from the album.
Kevin talks about his musical path in learning and exploring.
Kevin mentions the Kennedy Center Honors tribute to Arturo Sandoval with Pedrito Martinez and Chucho Valdes.
Damon and Kevin talk about the history of Congo Square.
Kevin attributes his drive of learning different instruments and genres to his love of history.
Kevin mentions covering Milton Nascimento’s song, “Ofertório”.
Shout-out to pianist, Jonathan Montes.
Kevin talks about the release of his album on Bandcamp first. He will eventually stream it. He is currently remixing his album for Dolby Atmos.
Stay tuned for Kevin’s website in the near future: KevinRicard.Music.
Damon and Kevin talk about multiple uses for the music on the album. In addition to listening, but also having it licensed to use in film scores, or even have some of the music transcribed to be played by percussion ensembles.
Damon brings up R&B percussionists as their own entity. You should Google these names, if you don’t know them!
In no particular order: Ralph MacDonald, Eddie “Bongo” Brown, “Master” Henry Gibson, Bobbye Hall, “Papa” Dee Allen, Larry Washington, Stacey Lamont Sydnor, Rufino “Chano” O’Ferral, Don Alias, Marvin Gaye, James “Rikki” Hicks, Jack Ashford, King Errisson, Earl DeRouen, Johnny Griggs, Frank Knuckles, Terry Santiel, (friends of the show) “Doc” Leonard Gibbs, (Darryl) Munyungo Jackson, Aaron Draper, Kevin Ricard, Steve Kroon, Brevan Hamden, Ron Powell, Bill Summers, and Bashiri Johnson.
(Other Pop Percussionists): Paulinho Da Costa, (friends of the show) Richie “Gajate” Garcia, Roland Garcia, Luis Conte, and Lenny Castro.
Other percussionists that helped influence and inform what Kevin does include: Tito Puente, Jose Luis “Chanquito” Quintana, Francisco Aguabella and others.
Kevin mentions people excelling at the tambourine.
Kevin also mentions Eddie “Bongo” Brown playing one drum and the song “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing”
Damon mentions Herbie Hancock’s song “Rockit” with Daniel Ponce playing the Itotele and also the HBO Yacht Rock Documentary.
Kevin has been doing more TV work of late and recording. Shout-out to Rickey Minor and Greg Phillinganes.
Kevin talks about his process to learn music fast and accurately.
Kevin talks about logistics and the dance of playing percussion.
Kevin mentions using the gel tip highlighter as opposed to the felt tip one.
Kevin talks about working on American Idol.
Kevin talks about doing your homework, being prepared and other off the stage stuff to help with his longevity in the music business.
Damon talks about the paperwork. Kevin password protects these documents when sending them out as well.
Kevin talks about using electronics and how that’s important on a pop gig.
Damon talks about specific sounds and drum machines.
Kevin recommends the iconic recording. First is Sergio Mendes’ ‘Brasileiro’ album, Caetano Veloso’s song “Livros” from the album ‘Livro’ and the song “Soro” by Salif Keita from the album with the same name.
Kevin uses Latin Percussion Instruments, Gibraltar Hardware, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Native Instruments, AyR In Ear Monitors, Juicy Ears, Roland Global Electronics, and Remo Drumheads.
Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez, Tito Puente, Don Alias, Eddie “Bongo” Brown, Jack Ashford, “Changuito”, Giovanni, Mamady Keita, and Kevin’s first teachers Eton and Daru.
You can follow Kevin on Bandcamp, Facebook, and Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is called “The Crossing” from the new album with the same name.
