Performer, composer, and educator Sean Statser (b. 1983) has been called “Lithe, muscular, and mesmerizing" by the New York Times. As an advocate for new music, Mr. Statser actively collaborates with several New York City artists and ensembles including: the Grammy-nominated Metropolis Ensemble, Ensemble LPR, Cadillac Moon Ensemble, and Iktus Percussion. He has premiered over 150 works to date by composers Jason Treuting, Timothy Andres, Caleb Burhans, Kati Agocs, Vivian Fung, Angelica Negron, John Luther Adams and Elliot Carter (NY Premiere), among others.

He has performed with the American Symphony Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, and New York Pops as a section percussionist, and has appeared at several venues around New York City including: Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Symphony Space, Fisher Center at Bard College, Galapagos Art Space, (Le) Poisson Rouge, and Roulette. Sean has also appeared at the Alba Music Festival, In Tune Music Festival, Ecstatic Festival, three appearances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2007, 2008, 2010), and recently performed with Metropolis Ensemble as part of Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors Festival, under the baton of Maestro Tan Dun.

Sean has recorded with a variety of artists, such as: jazz pianist Kenny Werner (No Beginning, No End - Winner of the 2010 Guggenheim Award), Metropolis Ensemble, Harmonie Ensemble New York, Harold Farberman, and Cadillac Moon Ensemble. He has appeared on Naxos, Nonesuch, Orange Mountain Music, Innova Records, Half Note Records, Albany Records and New Dynamic Records. Also active as a composer and arranger, his compositions are available through Bachovich Music Publications.

He received his MM in Instrumental Performance from NYU and holds a BA in Music Performance from Fort Lewis College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Upon graduating in 2010, Sean joined the Percussion Studies faculty at New York University.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to friend of the show Michito Sanchez! One of Los Angeles’ top studio and live percussionists, Michito Sanchez, has a unique ability to create an atmosphere from the Amazon or just groove on a Shaker or Cowbell. Michito also applies his knowledge of Conga drum techniques to other world percussion instruments, simplifying or intensifying intricate world beat rhythms to fit in today’s sound of Pop, Rock, R & B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, etc. situations. Aside from the standard, Michito has gathered hundreds of Percussion Instruments from around the globe, which he utilizes with a virtuosity that enhances any musical situation making it a true experience. Michito envelopes his performance with a great attitude and creative energy.

Happy Birthday to friend of the show Blair Sinta. Blair is a drummer in Los Angeles. He has toured and recorded with Alanis Morissette, Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cornell, Annie Lennox, Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart, Glen Ballard, Damien Rice, John Fogerty, Gwen Stefani, Better Than Ezra and many others. Blair engineers, drums and writes music from his studio “Donkey Den”. He has developed a course to learn recording drums and engineering in the age of home studios called Sticks and Wires.

Happy Birthday to friend of the show Jeff Queen! Jeff is not only a great player, but also teaches at Carmel High School and Butler University both in Indiana. Jeff won individuals for snare drum in DCI (Drum Corps International) and also for PAS (Percussive Arts Society) for two years in a row (1994/1995). Jeff's drum corps career spans from the Bluecoats, to the Velvet Knights, to the Santa Clara Vanguard, to the Blue Knights. After that, he was one of the founding members of the Tony and Emmy award winning show Blast!

Gig Alerts

The 13th Annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival is kicking off Aug 31 – Sep 1, 2024 in Oak Hollow – High Point, NC.

The Borderland Music and Arts Festival is happening Sep 13-15 in East Aurora, NY. Single day and weekend passes are still available on the website!

The Soundside Music Festival will be Happening Sep 28-29 in Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Seaside Park. 1-Day & 2-Day tickets available now on the website (formerly known as Sound on Sound Festival).

The Doobie Brothers are tacking on additional dates for their 2024 tour due to overwhelming demand. New dates this fall are available in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Friends of the show Marc Quiñones will play Percussion, with Ed Toth on Drums - Article

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 (Aug 19-25), in New Bedford (Sept 2) and Boston, MA (Sept 3-4).

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 at 7pm on AUGUST 26th. The discount code is: Percussion20. Friends of the show Michael Sgouros, Jack Mansager, and this week’s guest Sean Statser will be joining Damon as part of The Percussion People.

Educational Spotlight

If you’re planning to attend PASIC Nov 13-16th ticket prices are going up as of Sept 16th! Register, renew your membership, and book your travel ASAP!

Iconic Recording

Sean Statser chose "Señor Mouse " live in Tokyo c. 1978, with Chick Corea & Gary Burton as this week’s iconic recording. The song Señor Mouse was written by Chick Corea and was first released by Return to Forever feat. Chick Corea in 1973.

Music News

After three nights of stellar performances at the 2024 Drum Corps International World Championships in Indianapolis, the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps have won the title in front of a nearly sold-out crowd. The corps performance of “Change Is Everything” brought the house down and earned the top spot.

R.I.P. to Damon’s former corps, The Cadets.

Congratulations to Damon’s other corps, The Boston Crusaders for coming in second. Special shout out to friend of the show Colin McNutt and Iain Moyer who are the drum and front ensemble arrangers for that program.

The closing ceremony for the Paris Summer Olympics is happened on Sunday, with performances from Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. According to a report from Variety, all three California natives will be seen from Los Angeles in a mix of pre-taped and live performances. H.E.R. will also sang the U.S. national anthem as part of the closing ceremony - Article

The DNC is coming to Chicago August 19-22. Friends of the show Kevin Ricard and Teddy Campbell will be part of the house band.

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) endorses Vice President Kamala Harris for president in the 2024 election - Article

The song leading into the interview is “The Perfect Nothing Catalog: IV.” Devices · Cadillac Moon Ensemble Conrad Winslow: The Perfect Nothing Catalog ℗ 2017 Innova Released on 11-17- 2017

Sean Statser Interview

The interview starts with a Shout-out to Jonathan Haas.

Damon and Sean will be playing for the New York Percussion Series with the Percussion People.

Sean is currently the program coordinator at NYU

Shout-out to Andrew Beall

Sean mentions Jason Gianni as the previous featured guest with The Percussion People.

Shout-out to Michel Camilo (and Michel’s previous group French Toast).

Sean mentions friend of the show Andy Akiho.

Damon brings up the Mass Marimba Band.

Damon mentions the Montreal Day of Percussion where he was on a panel with friend of the show, Russell Hartenberger. You can see pics from the other clinics HERE.

Ensembles Sean was a part of include The Metropolis Ensemble, Ensemble LPR, Cadillac Moon Ensemble.

Sean is still playing with Iktus Percussion

Damon and Sean talk about the Broadway Percussion Seminar at NYU.

Damon mentions friends of the show, Valerie Naranjo on SNL and Negah Santos on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Sean has played at the Central Park Summer Stage Series.

Sean brings up Black Star, David Bowie's last album.

Shout-out to Ian Antonio.

Sean spends time up at the Bard Music Festival.

Other groups Sean plays with include the Jersey Symphony, American Composers Orchestra, and NY Pops Orchestra.

Sean is from Davenport, Iowa.

Sean got his bachelors from Fort Lewis College in CO. He got his masters degree from NYU.

Sean mentions the company he works with that Jonathan Haas started called Gemini Music

Sean mentions the Iconic Recording… (Chick Corea & Gary Burton full concert below)

Shout-out to Jonathan Haas and John Pennington.

You can follow Sean on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Music leading out of the interview is “Ellipsis Rules” · Cadillac Moon Ensemble Conrad Winslow: The Perfect Nothing Catalog ℗ 2017 Innova Released on 11-17-2017. Composed by Conrad Winslow.