This week’s guest is Mariana Ramirez. Mariana Ramirez is a NYC based percussionist and drummer. She broke historic ground in 2018 becoming the first female Mexican percussionist to ever perform on a Broadway show while subbing on Once on This Island. It led to hold the percussion chair at the National Broadway Tour of Once on this Island in 2019. Mariana has subbed on two more Broadway shows: Head Over Heels (Drumset book) and Ain’t Too Proud, The Life and Times of the Temptations. Off-Broadway shows include subbing Merrily We Roll Along (drumset book) and Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish. Mariana currently holds the percussion chair of the hit Broadway Show SIX

Mariana is a committed advocate for the racial equality, and gender justice. Consequently, she founded the Percussion Quartet Excelsis, The first multinational all-female quartet in the U.S.A. Excelsis was praised as “one of the most innovative and exciting percussion ensembles to emerge in the golden age of chamber music that we are presently in” by Jonathan Hass, head of the New York University Percussion Department. Excelsis has performed twice at NPR Radio in From the Top show, the Percussive Arts Society New York Weekend Of Percussion in 2014 and 2015, Brooklyn Bound with So Percussion, Zeltsman’s Marimba Festival, Tippet Rise Music Festival in Montana, and the Newport Classical Music Festival 2023. Most recently Excelsis was awarded with the highest grant by Chamber Music America in 2024.

In addition to Broadway and Excelsis, she has performed in Europe, Asia, and Mexico playing with Mexican Traditional Music bands, Symphonic Ensembles, Chamber Orchestras and Pop Bands.

Some of her recordings are:

Platinum Girls, a new musical (Broadway Records)
Song Of Solomon (Broadway Records.)
Concerto for Bandoneon and Violin by JP Joffre and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
Deonté L. Warren, Love, Essential. (Live Recording at 54 below)

As a symphonic percussionist, Mariana has performed with orchestras in Mexico and the United States, including the National Symphony of Mexico, Orquesta de Minería, Dartmouth Symphony, South Florida Symphony, the first all-Women Orchestra of Mexico, New England Ensemble, Fairfield Orchestra, and with The Dessoff Choir, premiering works for Choir and Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall.

As a chamber percussionist she has collaborated with many ensembles such as, The Pit Stop Players, Orquesta de Camara de Nueva York, Many Messiahs, and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

Mariana is passionate for independent projects. She won, twice in a row, the FONCA grant given to Mexican Artists. With the first grant in 2018 she developed repertory for Motus Duet, a duet with dance, percussion and electronics, which she took on tour for a month in Mexico giving 14 concerts in 5 different cities. With the second grant in 2019, she is developed new recordings of hip hop and Gregorian chants. This project was premiered in 2020

Mariana is also passionate about music education: “It is an effective way to share and learn traditions from my Mexican culture and other cultures. Nowadays it’s more important than ever to know and respect other cultures”. As an educator, Mariana was a Teaching Artist at S'cool Sounds founded by Nina Stern, Music Partners by The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, on the Percussion Faculty at The Bronx Conservatory of Music, and the Extension Division at Montclair University.

Mariana has also performed on TV shows including Steven Colbert Late Night Show, and TV series such as Mozart in the Jungle, NBC Universal Upfronts at Radio City Music Hall, among others.

Some of her awards in Mexico include scholarships for solo performers from the National Conservatory of Music, the Metropolitan University, and the National University of Mexico, among many others.

During her studies in Mexico City at the National Conservatory of Music, Mariana won the percussion position at the Youth Orchestra Carlos Chavez.

In the United States during her studies at Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers University, she was awarded the Percussive Arts Society Thomas Siwe Scholarship, and The Rutgers University Fellowship for Mexican studies. She was also finalist at the solo competition at Rutgers University in 2013.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Lea Mullen! As a much sought after performer, drum-clinician and teacher, Lea has toured and recorded and played with bands such as Happy Mondays, Buffalo66, Ian Brown, Hed Kandi, Bond, Vanessa Mae, Urrban Superstars, The Jacksons, Craig Armstrong, Massive Attack and the legendary George Michael. Most recently Lea has been busy with debut ‘Jooks’ album release ‘Soft hands with Luis Conte’, workshops and teaching. As well as playing/touring with Vanessa Mae, Alan Leach, Paul Ryders ‘Big Arm’, ‘Rebel MC’, ‘Rachael McFarlane’ and writing reviews for drummer magazine Lea was touring the USA with George Michael.

Happy Birthday to Marvin "Smitty" Smith! Marvin was born June 24, 1961 in Waukegan (Illinois). "It was a very natural inclination for me to play drums," says Marvin "Smitty" Smith. A glance at his early life validates that truth. Born the son of a drummer, Marvin, Sr., Marvin Smith Jr. was always surrounded by music in the house.

At six months old, he would climb up on the large lounge chair positioned directly in front of his father's drum set and would watch him practice, intensely. Whenever his father took a break, he would crawl over and press the foot pedals and attempt to emulate his dad. That experience, and banging on pots and pans, was the extent of his playing until he began formal training at the age of three.

Today, Marvin "Smitty" Smith is a young musician extraordinaire whose work has been described as a "comment on invention, firm and adventurous time and technical sufficiency." He has traveled extensively throughout the Orient, Europe, and the continental USA; and he has shared the stage with such greats as Sonny Rollins, Hank Jones, Frank Foster and Frank Wess, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, and Milt Jackson. He is a former member of the Ron Carter Quartet, The New York Jazz Quartet, and The Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet.

Featured on more than 45 albums, additional performances and recordings augmented with Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison, Ray Brown and Phineas Newborn, George Shearing, Bobby Watson, Hamiet Bluiett, Branford Marsalis, David Murray, Emily Remler, Peter Leicht, Kevin Eubanks, Donald Byrd, Monty Alexander, Diane Reeves, Michel Camilo, and Grover Washington Jr. Currently he's a member of Steve Coleman's Five Elements, and The Dave Holland Quartet. Smitty conducts seminars and clinics for students in jazz workshops, both in the United States and Europe; and is currently on staff of jazz program at the Banff Centre of Fine Arts, Canada, and Drummers Collective, New York City.

Smitty has been Downbeat Critics' Poll winner for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition, 1985 through 1987, and 1989. Smitty performed on the Soundtrack of filmaker Spike Lee's "School Daze", appeared in Sonny Rollins' music video "Saxophone Colossus", and a member of Sting's "Nothing Like the Sun" South American tour, 1987.

Regarded as a well rounded musician with the ability to play all styles, Marvin "Smitty" Smith is a blossoming composer and arranger, and his success has earned him two albums as a bandleader. As a versitile drummer, there seems to be nothing be can’t do. It's been said that he is the "John Coltrane of the drums.."

Happy Birthday to Kahlil Cummings! Kahlil, a Los Angeles native, is an acclaimed drummer, exceptional performer, composer, and educator. Kahlil was recognized as a child prodigy very early; since childhood, he has played with numerous reputable groups including Ballet Folclórico Do Brasil, Sona Sané, Abalayé, Mila Samba School, Inu Olorun, Debbie Allen Dance Company, Les Amazones, and Viver Brasil. Kahlil honed his rhythmic gifts with noted teachers including Mestre Amen Santo, Jose Ricardo Sousa, Kobla Ladzekpo, Esteban “Cha Cha” Bacallao (Ibae), and Sandy Perez. His studies in Guinea, Brazil and Cuba have helped to widely broaden his knowledge and musical strength. However, he is most profoundly influenced by West African master drummer Mamady Keita, with whom he has studied since the age of 13. Kahlil helped start the group Balandugu Kan, which was sanctioned by Keita as representing “the voice of Balandugu”--- the village where Keita was born. His compositions can be heard on his debut album Iniké Baba, recorded live in Guinea, West Africa.

Kahlil was the musical director for opening numbers for both the NAACP Image Awards and the Choreographers Awards in 2004. Since then, he has performed with several renowned artists such as Janelle Monae (American Idol), Shakira (music video “Waka Waka), and Gwen Stefani. He recently recorded percussion for Aloe Blacc in a song titled “Let the Games Begin,” which was featured in the movie “Race.” In addition, Kahlil performed with Pharrell Williams and Kendrick Lamar in the 2015 and 2016 Grammy Awards, respectively. His prolific abilities have even taken him as far as Japan, where he produced and recorded music for Takarazuka, an elite Japanese theater ensemble, and for Pomba, a well-known fitness company.

Currently Kahlil is the Founder of Extra Ancestral which began in 2017 as an ensemble that aimed to educate audiences through the fusions of hypnotic Afrobeat, Reggae, Jazz, Afro-Latin, and traditional African diasporic rhythms, narrated by powerful ancestral dancing. Kahlil also plays and tours with international recording artist Rocky Dawuni, and can be heard on the albums “Branches of the Same Tree,” which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album of the Year in 2016. And Beats of Zion 2019. Kahlil also performs and recorded on the latest album of Jazz icon Kamasi Washintom “Heaven and Earth” 2018. Kahlil is an endorsed artist of Latin Percussion Company(LP) and Istanbul Cymbals. Kahlil’s latest musical project, Extra Ancestral, the album his due later this year. Kahlil is a board member of the Levitt Pavilion Foundation.

In 2021 Kahlil has performed at the MTV Movie Awards as well as The Voice show, Grand Performances, Hollywood Bowl, and Newport Jazz Festival.

Happy Birthday to Steven Wolf! Wolf is one of the world’s most in-demand studio musicians.

His discography includes numerous #1, Gold, Platinum, and Grammy winning records. A virtuoso drummer and world class programmer, with an encyclopedic musical vocabulary spanning every musical genre, his distinctive skill-set and versatility have made him the "go-to" rhythmic solution
for a long list of the world's top recording artists and producers. In addition to drumming and programming, he's also an accomplished producer, songwriter, and remixer.

Happy Birthday to Ryan Brown! Ryan is a professional drummer and percussionist in Los Angeles, California. In addition to his gig as the drummer for Dweezil Zappa, he plays with Los Angeles-based bands The Young Royals, Black Belt Karate, SexTapes, AM/FM, The Fuxedos and Madras, and in the bands of artists Arrica Rose, Karem Malicki-Sanchez, Colin Armstrong, Josh Canova, Space Oddity and rapper J Naugh-T.

He has toured with Taiwanese pop star Chyi-Chin and L.A. bands OWL and Ultraviolet, performed on “Last Call with Carson Daly” with Ingrid Michaelson and played the Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland with R&B artist Niki Haris. He has recorded tracks and albums with producers Marti Frederiksen, Mark Hudson, Mikal Reid, Russ Irwin, Rob Seals, Glen Laughlin, Rob Shrock, Brian Dobbs, Klaus Derendorf, Brian Paturalski, Billy Morrison, Larry Crane and David Weisberg, including the hit single “The Real Thing” from Bo Bice.

Ryan can also be heard on releases by Foreigner, Circus Diablo, Hannah Montana, Clay Aiken, Cassie Davis, Nick Lachey, Jesse McCartney, Heather Graham, Suzie McNeil (Rock Star INXS) and Stephanie McIntosh, as well as on the movie soundtracks for Ice Age: Continental Drift (Adam Schlesinger), Kung Fu Panda (Hans Zimmer and John Powell) and The Dark Knight (Hans Zimmer). He’s performed on recordings with Alex Lifeson, Earl Slick, Elliot Easton and Rudy Sarzo.

Gig Alerts

The Global Citizen Festival returns to New York, September 28, 2024. This year the line up includes Post Malone, Doja Cat, Rauw Alejandro, and Jelly Roll. Tickets can be found on the website with an option to earn free tickets. The festivale takes place on the Great Lawn in New York’s Central Park.

The Paris 2024 Torch Relay Concert festivities will start in Marseille on May 8th and continue through August 27th.

The Paris Olympics will begin in a little bit more than 500 days.

The 2024 Newport Folk Festival is happening June 26-28th.

The ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 21ST EDITION is happening JUNE 21 - 29, 2024.

Educational Spotlight

The PAS Percussion Ensemble Competitions & Festivals give students throughout the United States opportunities to learn music and percussion through performance and expert adjudicator feedback.

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In this Fundamental Fridays Session, Andy Smith demonstrates developing your drumset sound and fluidity through the “floppy stroke.” He breaks down smart practice methods: horizontal and vertical breakdowns, and singing technique. Samples of Bossa Nova, Afro-Cuban, Rock and Funk, and playing jazz swing with form in mind are incorporated in the sessions.

Iconic Recording

Mariana picked this week's iconic recording. It’s "Love of My Life" by Dave Matthews and Santana from the album ‘Supernatural’. Carter Beauford plays drums on this track and friend of the show, Karl Perazzo, plays percussion. Also on this album are drummers: Billy Johnson, Rodney Holmes, (friend of the show) Horacio “el Negro” Hernandez, Alex Gonzales, Greg Bissonette, and Jimmy Keegan, as well as percussionist: Raul Rekow.

Music News

The 24th BET Awards will take place on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. You can stream the show live, buy Tickets and VIP Experience packages on the website. Friend of the show Roland Garcia will be playing percussion with the house band.

A Federal Judge Officially Dismisses Madonna Late-Start Lawsuit — But Live Nation May Still Push for Sanctions and Legal Fees. Article

Mark Goldstein and the instrument he designed with American engineer Don Buchla and Joel Davel. The Marimba Lumina is a MIDI controller that lets a musician play music via a control surface based on the layout of a marimba. You can learn more about it here.

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The song leading into the episode is “Love, Essential” performed by Deonte L. Warren.

Damon and Mariana met through friend of the show Elena Bonomo, who plays drums on the Broadway show Six.

Mariana discusses her home town of Mexico City the first female president of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum.

Mariana discusses her family’s connection to music and how she herself got started as a musician around the age of 18.

Mariana discusses the Musical Conservatory she was accepted into, known as The National Conservatory of Music.

An inspirational concert for Mariana was seeing Santana live in Mexico City.

Mariana studied with Javier Nandayapa. He helped her score an audition.

Javier’s Dad Zeferino was recognized by the Percussive Arts Society.

Damon mentions some different styles of folkloric Mexican music like Mexican Marimba Bands, Banda music, Cumbia and Mariachi.

Mariana talks about huapango music as well.

Mariana dives into her college days at Rutgers University in New Jersey and the financial challenges she faced during her college career. She did 4 years of school in 3 years.

During the summer she played with the National Symphony of Mexico.

Mariana delves into applying for an American Visa as well as the hardships she faced and the people who helped her during that time. Shout-out to Andrew Beall and Joe Thompkins..

Mariana discusses how she became an American citizen and the all-female percussion quartet Excelsis she envisioned and eventually manifested.

Mariana talks about her freelancing and working on Broadway.

Mariana talks about friend of the show Javier Diaz.

Damon asks Mariana about authentic Mexican food recommendations to try out in New York City. Shout-out to Los Tacos No. 1

Damon offers a suggestion to lessen noise complaints from her neighbors while using her drum kit inside her apartment.

Mariana talks about some of the contrast in going to music school in Mexico vs. the United States.

Mariana chooses the iconic recording for the week.

Mariana uses Sabian Cymbals. Pearl Drums, and Innovative Percussion.