#379 RJ Kelly- Drummer for American Idol, Miguel, Adam Lambert and More!
This week’s guest is RJ Kelly. RJ is a touring drummer and producer, currently touring with Grammy winning Rock and Soul act Miguel. In 2015, RJ began his artist journey and is currently recording for his upcoming EP. A producing and playing for the likes of Fantasia, Macy Gray, Lee Dewyze, Adam Lambert, and more, RJ's sound is a meld of old school R&B Motown, Rock, and pop vibes. His first release was entitled "I Will" featuring T-Pain.
R.I.P.
Albert “Tootie” Heath, a drummer of impeccable taste and time who was the youngest of three jazz-legend brothers from Philadelphia, died April 4 at a hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 88.
His death was first announced on social media by Jazzmobile, and was confirmed by his wife of 47 years, the former Beverly Collins Flood — who told WRTI radio in Philadelphia that the cause of death was leukemia.
Heath was also the last survivor of the Heath Brothers band, which also included bassist Percy (1923–2005) and saxophonist Jimmy (1926–2020). Though substantially younger than his siblings, Tootie cut his teeth along with them on the fecund Philadelphia jazz scene. He regularly collaborated with both Jimmy and Percy, joining them in 1975 as the Heath Brothers. -Article
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Jason Trueting! A founding and current member of the influential quartet, Sō Percussion, composer/percussionist Jason Treuting has appeared in performance throughout the world, from the Barbican to Lincoln Center, to Carnegie Hall, DOM Moscow, Walt Disney Hall, and elsewhere. His compositions, widely noted for their compelling rhythmic language and evocative expressivity, have been performed by artists including Shara Nova, the JACK Quartet, TIGUE, Susan Marshall and Company, and others.
Additionally, Treuting explores and composes music in collaboration with artists including laptop artist/composer Cenk Ergun; guitarist Grey Mcmurray; and guitarist/composer Steve Mackey (their New Amsterdam album, Orpheus Unsung, has received widespread critical acclaim), among others.
Treuting’s original compositions include Amid the Noise, an evolving suite of musical explorations scored for a flexible range of instruments; this work has been performed widely by Sō Percussion, Matmos and other artists, at the Lincoln Center Festival, the Barbican, the Walker Arts Center, National Sawdust, and elsewhere. It has been presented by Fast Forward Austin, Kadence Arts Boston, Chatterbird, and others, and was recorded by Sō Percussion for release on Cantaloupe Records.
Treuting’s other works for Sō include contributions to Imaginary City, Where (we) Live and A Gun Show, works which appeared on the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival. Recent commissions for other ensembles have included Oblique Music for 4 plus (blank), a concerto for Sō Percussion and string orchestra for the League of Composers Orchestra; and most recently, Nine Numbers 4, a commission from the Composers Guild of New Jersey and performed in 2018 at Princeton University.
He received his Bachelors in Music and the Performer’s Certificate at the Eastman School of Music where he studied percussion with John Beck and drum set and improvisation with Steve Gadd, Ralph Alessi and Michael Cain. He received his Masters in Music along with an Artist Diploma from Yale University where he studied percussion with Robert Van Sice. Jason Treuting studied marimba with Keiko Abe in Japan, and gamelan with Pac I Nyoman Suadin in Bali.
Jason Treuting is co-director of the Sō Percussion Summer Institute, an annual intensive course on the campus of Princeton University for college-aged percussionists. He is also co-director of a new percussion program at the Bard College Conservatory of Music, and is a lecturer of music at Princeton University, where Sō Percussion is ensemble-in-residence. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey with his wife, the violist Beth Meyers, and their two daughters.
Happy Birthday to Randy Schrager! Randy was the touring and studio drummer for electro dance-pop band Scissor Sisters, known on stage as ‘Randy Real’. He can be heard on the band’s release Night Work and he toured the world with the band in support of the album. Randy has also toured and recorded with critically acclaimed New York rocker Jesse Malin and his band The St. Marks Social, playing drums on his release Love It To Life. When not on the road, Randy can be found playing and recording with a number of independent artists in the NYC area.
Happy Birthday to Rob Humphreys! New Mexican raised Los Angeles.
Some people call him Byrdie. Some people call him Bobby. Rob has played and recorded for artists like: Nikka Costa, Leonard Cohen, Karen O, Elle King, Jason Mraz, Billy Ray Cyrus and More. He just finished touring with Kacey Musgraves and he also loves to run and surf. He prefers oat milk over almond milk and espresso over cold brew.
Also, Happy Birthday to the legend Steve Gadd!
Gig Alerts
The 2nd Annual AFM 47 Jazz Festival is happening April 14th, 21st, and 28th.
The Blue Note Jazz Festival is happening during the month of June in NYC.
Missy Elliott embarks on her first-ever headlining tour this summer, alongside Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Timbaland, for two dozen dates across North America from July 4th-Aug 22nd. -Article
For the first time for a music festival livestream, YouTube will offer a multiview feature for its Coachella 2024 livestream, enabling viewers to stream up to four performances on-screen at a time in a 4×4 grid. -Article
Friend of the show Ivan Llanes is having an album release party on Friday May 31st at 9.30pm at Joe’s Pub.
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
Damon talks about committees within the Percussive Arts Society. If you would like to learn more about a committee's activities, click on a committee listed below, or contact the chair of the committee via email. If you are interested in committee service and want to view how committees are structured and operate, you may view the Committee Chairs' Handbook. To serve on a PAS committee, candidates will electronically submit the PAS Committee Application within the application window, which is April 1 to April 30.
PAS has 16 standing committees that address specific areas of percussion performance, research, education, pedagogy and the percussion community. PAS committees play an essential role in advancing percussion through the development and dissemination of the latest information, research and initiatives.
Social Soundbyte
Friend of the show, Shawn Mativetsky has a new album coming out called TEMPORAL WAVES.
Friend of the show, Ivan Llanes, has a new album that is already out called "La Vida Misma".
Happy 60th Anniversary Latin Percussion!
You can check out the whole 60th anniversary collection HERE.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording for the week is “Why” by Kirk Franklin, featuring Stevie Wonder. It has Terry Baker on drums. The percussionists listed are: Sheila E., Vidal Davis - Percussion, Andre Harris - Percussion, Ryan Toby and Jason Boyd.
Music News
The first news article is about streaming farms and how they have taken over charts and shut out smaller artists.
Madonna, Live Nation, and the Barclays Center have moved to dismiss a class-action complaint levied by two individuals who say they suffered “actual and consequential damages” due to the artist’s allegedly late concert start times. -Article
Arizona’s “Taylor Swift Bill” (House Bill 2040), which would prohibit the use of bots to purchase live-event tickets in a number of situations, has moved one step closer to becoming law. -Article
RJ Kelly Interview
The song leading into the interview is “Journey To Love” by Nathan Mitchell featuring Kirk Whalum, from the album with the same name.
RJ talks about the importance of having a teacher or instructor.
RJ’s first instructor was his Uncle.
Shout-out to Andy Ward and Leon Brady.
Damon mentions Freddie Gruber and Bruce Becker.
RJ talks about one of his influences in Tony Royster Jr.
Damon mentions Dave Weckl and RJ mentions Will Kennedy.
RJ talks about the three main drummers that have influenced him and what he got from each.
Shout-out to Calvin Rodgers, the late great Aaron Spears and (friend of the show), Teddy Campbell.
RJ talks about some of the skills needed for playing a TV talent show.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Kris Pooley.
RJ talks about things he learned over the different seasons of playing for American Idol.
The musical director Kris Pooley marched the Crossmen in 1996.
Damon and RJ talk about managing personalities.
RJ talks through the season and the live shows.
RJ talks about preparing for a gig or a show.
RJ picks the iconic recording for the week.
Shout out to Brenda Kueck, Kirt Mosier, Lazell Williams, Leon Brady, Andy Ward, and Eric Cobbins.
RJ uses Tama Drums, Meinl Cymbals, ProMark Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, and Shure Microphones.
You can follow RJ on Facebook, and Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is “Dreaming” by T-Pain.
