#394 Dr. Chris Hanning- Drummer, Educator, Recording Artist and More!
Dr. Chris Hanning is a Professor of Percussion at West Chester University, a recording artist for NFL Films, and performs with the Peter Paulsen Quintet, the Bach Festival Orchestra of Bethlehem, and Philadelphia's premier contemporary music ensemble Relâche. His performing has taken him throughout Europe and the United States with engagements at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Royal Albert Hall in London. In 2006 he released Island Grooves, an instructional drum set DVD that received a 4 1/2 out of 5 star rating from Modern Drummer magazine. Chris has recorded several CD's with Relâche, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, David Liebman and the Manhattan Saxophone Quartet, and a new release with the Peter Paulsen Quintet titled Goes Without Saying. Chris performed on numerous recordings for NFL Films over the past twelve years including several Emmy Award Winning projects. You can hear Chris every year when the Lombardi Trophy music is played during the Super Bowl. He is currently co-writing music with long time NFL Films composer and producer Tom Hedden. You can check out some of his music at firstcom music . Chris is an artist/clinician for Vic Firth, Pearl/Adams, Remo, Zildjian, and Panyard and has presented clinics at Universities, conventions, and percussion festivals across the United States and abroad. Chris also chairs the Percussive Arts Society Contest and Audition Procedure Committee and serves on the PAS Board of Directors.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Richie "Gajate" Garcia! Richie, Puerto Rican born in New York City, grew up with musical influences of his percussionist step father Doel R. Garcia.
Richie started his formal education at Springfield College in Illinois and then went on to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where he received his Bachelor’s degree in music education. In 2018, Richie also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Fine Arts from Lincoln College in Illinois.
Richie has performed, recorded and toured the world as a drummer/percussionist for several major artists including Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, percussionist and drummer for Tony Orlando, John Denver, Art Garfunkel and Persian artist Googgoosh percussionist with Christopher Cross Sting, Diana Ross, Patti Labelle, Hiroshima, Don Henley, Alex Acuña and the Unknowns, Tito Puente, Juan Gabriel, Celia Cruz, Boston Pops with John Denver with John Williams conducting.
Richie’s experiences transcend musical genres from pop, jazz, salsa, country and hip hop and world music styles. He has been part of over 40 major films, most recently, Disney’s “COCO”.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Daniel de los Reyes! Daniel was born into a family that for three generations has been making a living at banging and shaking things to make music. His grandfather, Walfredo de los Reyes II, laid the family musical foundation by co-founding the famous Cuban orchestra, Casino de la Playa. His father, Walfredo de los Reyes III, went on to become one of Cuba’s most successful drummers/percussionists before moving to Puerto Rico and then the United States. As one of the first drummers to incorporate the drum set with congas and other percussion, Walfredo III blazed a wide path that many would follow. He continues to wow crowds with his drumming and percussion ability, extensive musical history, and incredible enthusiasm at the ripe young age of 79. Daniel and his brothers, Walfredo Reyes Jr. and Kamar de los Reyes, keep the torch burning brighter than ever as they consistently stamp the de los Reyes name all over the percussion and entertainment landscape.
Currently on tour with the Grammy award-winning Zac Brown Band, Daniel has performed with a virtual who’s-who of artists including Don Henley, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sting, The Killers, Sheryl Crow, Patti LaBelle, Peter Frampton, Jennifer Lopez, Don Omar, Stevie Nicks, Louie Vega, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Lionel Richie, Kenny Ortega, Steve Winwood, and many more.
Lollapalooza is back Aug 1-4, 2024 at Grant Park in Chicago, IL. Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, SZA, Stray Kids, The Killers, Blink 182, and many more are expected. Check out the lineup and get your tickets Here.
The Annual Newport Jazz Festival is happening Fri, Aug 2, 2024 – Sun, Aug 4, 2024 in Newport, Rhode Island. Checkout the line up and get on a waitlist for tickets Here. There are some single day and three day passes still available on 3rd party sites like Vividseats.
Your host Damon Grant has some great gigs coming up in the north eastern part of the country Aug 19 - Sep 4th. Check out the schedule and come say hello. He’d love to meet you!
Damon will be with Billy Ruegger on Nantucket, in New Bedford and Boston, MA.
Damon is celebrating his BIRTHDAY (Aug 28th) with the Percussion People percussion ensemble. This concert in the West Village of NYC will be at The Players Theater. The discount code is: Percussion20.
Educational Spotlight
The first round of PASIC 2024 percussion artists have been announced. PASIC 2024 is happening November 13-16, 2024 and will be announcing the Artists teaching and performing throughout the summer of 2024. — there are more than 100 seminars, concerts, and workshops this year. Ticket prices are going up fast, get yours asap. Many friends of the show are included this year including Brendan Mason and Mark Reilly. Register HERE or get more information on travel arrangements.
Iconic Recording
This week’s our guest Chris Hanning choose two iconic recordings. The first one is “Eagle's Point” by Chris Potter from his album. It features Chris Potter, John Patitucci, Brad Mehldau and Brian Blade on drums.
Up next Chris chose “Pools” from the album Steps Ahead featuring Eddie Gomez, Elaine Elias, Michael Brecker, Mike Mainieri, with Peter Erskine on drums. Composed by Don Grolnick.
Music News
Good news for all of you traveling musicians. The TSA Plans To Lift 3.4-Ounce Liquid Limit. Here’s more on that and what you need to know - Article
There’s a new app called ROADIE by IndieFlow to help you get organized. Roadie is an AI-powered mobile app that serves as your personal artist manager. You can get custom-tailored recommendations and roadmaps, audience insights, professional marketing assets and more.
If you’re looking to step up your social media presence onepeakcreative might be a good place to start. Check out their website and youtube channel for more information. I enjoy this brand. Not endorsed or paid by them! Below is the video Damon mentions that hooked him.
Charli XCX, Kesha, Katy Perry, Cardi B, John Legend, Cardi B, Finneas, Questlove, and more rally around Kamala Harris following Biden’s exit from the presidential race - Article
You can also check out isidewith to take a non-biased political quiz to see which candidates you’re most likely to connect with.
DR. Chris Hanning Interview
The music leading into the epidoe is “Dangerous Exploration” featuring Tom Hedden, Chris Hanning, Dramatic Drums & Percussion ℗ 2012 FirstCom Music Released on 06-19-2012-06. Composer, Writer: Tom Hedden and Chris Hanning.
Damon and Chris first met at PASIC when Chris was playing with Percussion Gumbo, a band that included friend of the show Dr. John Wooton, Juan Alamo, Yunior Terry and Troy Breaux. They discuss how Chris met Dr. Wooton.
Chris mentions Coffee Street.
Chris discusses the diference between Calypso and Soca.
Chris discusses the Island Grooves DVD.
Chris discusses his education. He started Undergrad at Troy State University, did Undergrad at University of South Florida, got his Masters at University of Akron, and his Doctorate at University of Colorado Boulder.
Chris played with the Sarasota Symphony while living in Florida.
Chris mentions the band Wishful Thinking that David Garabaldi was in, also with Dave Shank on vibes.
Chris currently teaches and is Dean at Westchester University.
Chris talks about recording NFL Films Music.
Damon mentions Heavy Action and International Statement as two of his favorite NFL soundtrack songs.
Chris recorded on the Lombardi Trophy Processional.
Chris talks about doing clinics on the high pressure situation that is a studio session.
Chris talks about being the Dean of Music at Westchester. Shout-out to Ralph Sorrentino.
Chris was the Past President of PAS.
Damon and Chris talk about international chapters of PAS. Shout-out to the Ju Percussion Group.
Shout-out to Yunior Terry, Yosvanny Terry and their father Eladio “Don Pancho” Terry Gonzales.
Chris plays with the Timberdale Brass group.
Chris discusses The Wanamaker Organ and mentions the Kimmel Center Organ.
Chris talks about the closing of University for the Arts and he mentions the Philly Pops Orchestra.
Chris Picks the iconic recordings for the week. EDIT, “Eagle’s Point” was mistakenly used as the song. That is the album name. Chris specifys the SONG “Dream of Home” from that album.
Shout-out to Peter Erskine and Mike Mainieri.
Chris uses Pearl Drums, Adams Percussion, Vic Firth, Zildjian Cymbals, and Remo Drum Heads.
Relâche New Music Ensemble video.
Chris gives a shout-out to Bob McCormick, Dr. Larry Snider, Bob McKee, Doug Walter
You can keep up with Dr. Chris Hanning on his Facebook page, and at Westchester University.
The music leading out of the episode is “Forays: VI. Encore” Relâche, Mark Hagerty, Ovidiu Marinescu · Chris Hanning · Andreas K. Meyer Forays ℗ 2012 Meyer Media LLC Released on: 2012-07-24 Contributor, Producer: Andreas K Meyer Music Publisher: Meyer Media LLC
