#378 Gene Lake- Drummer for Me'shell Ndegeocello, Steve Coleman, Maxwell, and More!
This week’s guest is Gene Lake. Gene was born in St. Louis, Missouri and was exposed very early to the Black Artist Group, “a seedbed for innovation” and a collective rally of black musicians, poets, dancers and artists from all disciplines led by his father Oliver Lake. This reflected in his constant desire to actively search for innovation and musically adventurous forms and techniques.
During more than ten years, he has been playing with a stunningly diverse range of artists: Joe Zawinul, Marcus Miller, Steve Coleman, Henry Threadgill, Me’shell NdegeOcello, D’Angelo, Cassandra Wilson, Jason Miles, diverse R&B and jazz/rap groups and the wildly original rock/funk/jazz fusion group Torsos.
Gene is an all around drummer who embodies the contradictions of modern music.
His album “Here And Now” (2010) takes the listener on a musical journey, traveling from hard funk to jazz fusion via R&B songs. It features an eclectic mix of pop vocals, virtuoso drumming and instrumental ballads and diverse musicians ranging from jazz legend David Sanborn on saxophone to harmonica player Gregoire Maret and two Screaming Headless Torsos musicians: pop vocalist Freedom Bremner and jazz/rock guitarist David Fuiczynski.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Bruno Esrubilsky! Bruno is an Argentine born-Brazilian raised drummer and percussionist based in Brooklyn, NYC.
Graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Bruno moved to New York in 2011. Since then, Bruno has toured every continent of the world, played drums on the hit Broadway show Hedwig and The Angry Inch (4x Tony Awards winner), appeared on many TV shows (credit list below), has performed at festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Fuji Rock Festival (Japan) and legendary concert venues such as Radio City Music Hall (NYC), Red Rocks Amphitheater, Ryman Auditorium (Nashville), Kennedy Center (DC), Central Park SummerStage (NYC) and The Filmore (San Francisco). Recording credits include records in the USA, Japan, Argentina and Brazil (more in MUSIC section).
Bruno has played on countless headlining and supporting tours (including Lorde, Adam Lambert, Amos Lee, Grouplove, Neon Trees and more). During the Fall 2018, Bruno wrapped MITSKI’s sold out Be The Cowboy 2018 Europe/North America Tour, including a 4 night sold out stint at Brooklyn Steel.
Throughout 2019, Bruno toured the world twice over with indie-rocker Mitski, performing at some of the world’s biggest stages and festivals, while also touring on the side with Jake Clemons of Bruce Springsteen’s band and performing with British artist YUNGBLUD. Bruno also taped Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, with Mitski, which aired on January 18th 2020; and was featured on the September issue of Modern Drummer Magazine.
Happy Birthday to Scott Pellegrom! Scott is known throughout the drumming community as the “mad scientist.” His playing as a soloist and band leader exudes creativity, from surprising ideas to blinding hand speed, using found objects to pulling unconventional sounds from conventional instruments. Videos of his hyper-creative playing can be seen on Drumeo, the Dream Cymbals and PDP/DW Drums social media channels, Scott’s Instagram (@scottpellegrom), and numerous other places around the web. Incorporating elements of drum and bass, jungle, and fearless improvisation into his playing, this “drummer’s drummer” defies expectation and genre, whether it’s playing jazz standards or today’s most experimental music.
Performing since the age of 5, Scott currently leads his own band, SP3, works as a chameleon-like head of percussionist and session drummer at Third Coast Recording Studios, and is an in-demand sideman for renowned artists spanning genres and styles. His reputation as an exciting, dynamic player has helped him cultivate a globetrotting career as a clinician and educator, teaching private students, masterclasses, and performing at drum festivals around the world.
With a recent Drumeo video passing 5 Million views, 32 thousand Instagram followers, a final four finish in the Guitar Center Drum-Off, and a nomination for Modern Drummer’s “Best Up-and-Coming Player,” Scott’s ability on the kit speaks for itself. As a proud endorser of Dream Cymbals (maker of the signature Scott Pellegrom RE-FX Crop Circle), Remo Drum Heads, PDP Percussion, and Prologix pads, he also travels as a brand ambassador, demonstrating products at Musikmesse, PASIC, and NAMM every year, and working closely with these companies to develop and market unique products for today’s drummers and percussionists.
A self-described “rhythmist,” Scott’s passion for honing his craft seems to spill from his personality, whether performing at a festival for thousands of spectators, leading a school assembly of young non-musicians, or delivering a presentation at a TedX event. As a professional educator, Pellegrom offers both in-person and Skype/Facetime lessons, has twice been featured as a Drumeo presenter, leads workshops, and provides vital technical and philosophical information to drummers of all ages and skill levels.
While his extensive career appearances and performances are too numerous to list, some noteworthy highlights include events like the Victoria Drum Fest, Montreal Drum Festival, PASIC, SXSW, Cape Breton International Drum Festival, Music China, Shanghai Music Mesa, and Australia’s Ultimate Drummers Weekend. He shared the stage with acts such as Karl Denson, Digital Tape Machine, Joel Cummins, Billy Strings, Federico Malaman, Seth Bernard, Theo Katzman, Bernhard Lackner, The Drifters, and many, many others - not to mention appearing at drum festivals alongside many of the greatest players in the world.
Happy Birthday to Javier Raez! Javier is a recording and mixing engineer. He produces all the content for Congahead. He also is the USA rep for Gewa Drums.
Gig Alerts
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival starts earlier on April 25th-May 5th.
Zildjian Cymbals is having their 2nd annual Zildjian Jam at Tipitina’s on Tuesday April 30th.
Friend of the show Chris Berry will be hitting the road with AJR for their spring and summer tour.
Justin Timberlake has added more dates for his upcoming World Tour. The North America and Europe dates have been posted.
The Greenwich Town Party has announced its headliners for this year’s upcoming festival. Shout-out to Drew Angus who Damon recorded for.
The Global Citizen Festival will be back on September 28th in Central Park in NYC.
Damon will be playing percussion with Norbert Leo Butz for his Broadway My Way show at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA on April 13th and 14th.
Educational Spotlight
This weeks Educational Spotlight are various Days of Percussion coming up this spring.
Missouri D.O.P. on April 15th
Tennesse D.O.P. on April 27th - with friends of the show Andrea Venet and Keith Aleo
Connecticut D.O.P. on April 28th - with friend of the show Marcos Torres
Central California D.O.P. on May 3rd & 4th - with friend of the show Jeff Queen
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording for the week, chosen by Gene is “777-9311”.
Jimmy Jam (Harris) and Terry Lewis talk about how David Garabaldi was the one who programed the drums on the (Roger) Linn machine, the LM-1.
Music News
Having trouble adding music to your Instagram Story? Maybe Instagram Music search isn’t working? Check out these comprehensive solutions to get back to adding your favorite music to Instagram Stories, posts, and videos. -Article
Two additional accounts to follow are @IGMusicPartners and @Creators.
The Artist Rights Alliance got nearly 250 artists call on tech platforms and AI companies to stop AI use that devalues music and infringes upon the rights of human artists. AI has enormous potential as a tool for human creativity – but when used irresponsibly, it poses an existential threat to our art. Here’s the full letter.
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) has ratified the Basic Theatrical Motion Picture and basic Television Motion Picture Agreements contract, according to details shared with Digital Music News this morning. -Article
Gene Lake Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Who Is He and What Is He To You?” by Bill Withers, performed by Me'shell Ndegeocello from her album album 'Peace Beyond Passion'.
Damon talks about the rehearsal for the Broadway musical, Jelly’s Last Jam that Gene and Damon just finished playing.
Gene also subs on the MJ musical as well. He mentions Andrew Atkinson as the regular drummer.
Shout-out to Les Cleveland and Jason Michael Webb.
Gene talks about his connection to the Broadway scene through Kim Wertz and Jamie Lawrence.
Oliver Lake Sr. is Gene’s dad.
Gene attended Music and Art High School. Which was known as the “FAME” school.
He mentions some classmates. Shout-out to Ben Perowsky and Sterling Campbell.
Gene attended Berklee College of Music.
Shout-out to Michael White.
Gene goes a bit chronologically with some of the artists he’s worked with, including Steve Coleman, Me'shell Ndegeocello, Henry Threadgill, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Maxwell, D’Angelo and more.
Gene mentions Bond’s Nightclub and CBGB’s. Damon mentions the legendary bathroom.
Gene and Damon talk about the Radio Registry service. This was also mentioned along with some local bars in Shawn Pelton’s interview.
Omar Hakim was a huge influence to Gene’s development.
Gene talks about working with Me’shell.
Gene talks about playing on the Maxwell record and also working working with D’Angelo in 1994.
Damon brings up the Screaming Headless Torsos and also playing with, friend of the show, Daniel Sadownick.
Damon brings up the Eliane Elias record that Gene recorded on.
Shout-out to Adam Rodgers and Charlie Hunter.
Gene was recently on the road with Boz Scaggs and did some shows with Oz Noy.
Gene Lake was teaching at the New School.
Gene picks out the iconic recording.
Gene mentions Morris Day’s book that he’s reading, “On Time: A Princely Life in Funk”.
Damon mentions how drummers these days are recreating the drum machine part of “777-9311”
Gene uses Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Pearl Drums, Remo Drumheads,
Shout-out to Oliver Lake Sr., Pheeroan akLaff, Henry Threadgill, Steve Coleman, Me'shell Ndegeocello, as well as Diamond, Omar Hakim, Peter Erskine, the members of Weather Report, Dennis Chambers, Billy Cobham and more!
You can follow Gene on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is, “Smooth” by D’Angelo.
