#398 Drew Tucker- Percussionist, Educator, Social Entrepreneur and More!
Drew Tucker is a dynamic musician, educator, speaker, and arts administrator who blends his passion for the arts with a commitment to advocacy. As a trailblazer in the modern vibraphone movement, Drew reimagines the instrument by merging soul, funk, jazz, and hip-hop, creating a sound that is both innovative and rooted in tradition. His artistry has brought him to the stage with a diverse array of musicians, including Cory Wong, Victor Wooten, Shaun Martin, Stefon Harris, and Norah Jones. His contributions have earned him prestigious endorsements and the title of “Cultural Ambassador” from the U.S. Department of State.
Drew’s global impact is evident in his extensive tours across the U.S., South and Central America, Europe, and Asia, where he has captivated audiences with his vibrant performances. He co-founded MalletLab, a summer music intensive where he mentored over 50 students annually, collaborating with the worlds top educators to advance mallet percussion.
In addition to his performance and educational roles, Drew is committed to community development through the arts. He has played a key role in establishing and revitalizing arts centers in underserved areas, including Arts Garage and Old School Square in Delray Beach, Florida. His dedication to fostering artistic expression and accessibility is evident in his work. Currently, Drew serves as Director of the Jazz Road program for South Arts, tours with his band ‘The New Standard,’ serves on the Mallet Committee for the Percussive Arts Society, and continues to inspire as a guest clinician, speaker, and Cultural Ambassador.
R.I.P.
R.I.P. to friend of the show Johnny "Dandy” Rodriguez. Some of the bands Johnny has played with are The Picadilly Boys, Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Johnny Pacheco & Celia Cruz, Tipica 73, Ray Barretto, Willie Bobo, Joe Cuba, Fania All-Stars, Eddie Palmieri and the Mambo Legends.
Johnny "Dandy" Rodriquez takes a Bongo Solo with his LP Signature Series Bongos.
Latin percussion also has Dandy’s signature series Bongo Bell.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Darren Hazlett! Darren Hazlett is the Battery Percussion Director and Arranger for the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Ram Marching Band. He is a former arranger and educator of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. As a performer, he spent 7 years with the Crossmen (1992-1998) and was a cast member of the Broadway show Blast! (1999-2002). He is a marching percussion clinician for Vivace Production and is also a member of the Vic Firth Education team. Darren resides is southeastern Pa. with his family and works as a middle school band director.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas! Tiki Pasillas is multi-talented. He is a drummer, multi-percussionist, and vocalist, who has been performing professionally in Los Angeles for the past 16 years. Born in Oakland California on August 17, 1968, commonly known as 'Tiki'. Tiki is a well-respected musician with world-wide recognition, and is a frequent studio contributor to records, films, jingles and voice-overs. He along with his lovely wife Maria and their children are great contributors to the Los Angeles music scene.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Dave Fox! Dave is an accomplished, versatile drummer who has performed and recorded with a wide variety of acts in a number of genres all over New England, nationally and abroad. He is currently a full-time member of The Gravel Project, Andrew Stern’s “AS3” and legendary Boston Rock act The Stompers.
As a sideman for over two decades, he has performed with a diverse group of artists including Tom Hambridge and The Rattlesnakes, Jerry Bergonzi, Josh Smith, David Tronzo, David Amram, Charles Neville, Stan Strickland, Phil Grenadier and Bruno Råberg.
Dave is, as ever, committed to moving ahead with his craft, sound and teaching practice while continuing to enjoy working with his students and ensembles at Indian Hill Music Center (Littleton, MA) and MJ’s Music School in Waltham, MA.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Brian Kilgore! In Brian Kilgore's diverse studio career he has played on over 500 albums, including Rock and Roll with Daft Punk, Cold Play, Live, Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne, Whitney Houston, Starship, Linda Rondstadt, Ricky Martin, Jody Watley, Robbie Nevil, the Goo Goo Dolls, Aerosmith, and Concrete Blonde, Afro-Cuban salsa with Clare Fischer and Francisco Aguabella, straight ahead jazz with Terry Trotter, Bill Watrous, Bill Cunliffe, and Bob Florence, jazz fusion with Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Dave Koz, Grant Geissman, and Warren Hill, and rap with NWA, P Diddy, and Dr. Dre. His numerous TV/film credits include Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, King Kong, Narnia, Beowulf, Wall-E, Hairspray, Semi-Pro, Pollock, A Bug's Life, Mighty Joe Young, A Perfect Storm, Spiderman II, The Bourne Supremacy, Troy, Van Helsing, I Robot, The Polar Express, Team America, Robots, The Legend of Zorro, Cars, The Longest Yard, and over one hundred more.
He has also performed live with Barbra Streisand, Teena Marie, Elton John, Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and many more.
Brian received his Bachelor of Music degree from California State University, Northridge, where he subsequently served on the faculty from 1992-1998. His ability to cover all aspects of percussion, from Afro-Cuban rhythms to orchestral percussion, to the extensive use of electronics and exotic sound effects, has made him a first-call player on the Los Angeles recording scene.
Gig Alerts
The DNC is happening in Chicago, Illinois. The Rickey Minor Band is the house band for the event and friends of the show Kevin Ricard and Teddy Campbell are both in the house band - Article
James Taylor's planned performance was cancelled by Democratic National Convention officials Monday night, along with a couple of speeches due to timing. They might get rescheduled to later in the week. - Article
DNC in Chicago Day 2: Timing, schedule, list of speakers, street closures and more - Article
The Global Citizen Festival New York is happening September 28, 2024 on the Great Lawn, Central Park, New York. Lineup to include Post Malone, Doja Cat, LISA, Rauw Alejandro, and Jelly Roll.
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 Sean Statser will be joining Damon as part of The Percussion People.
Educational Spotlight
Friend of the show Nate Smith will be doing a drum master class clinic and Q &A on Aug 27th, 2024, at 6 PM PST in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Guitar Center.
Iconic Recording
This week’s Iconic Recording was chosen by Drew Tucker as Stefon Harris performing "Chasin' Kendall" from the album ‘Sonic Creed’, which you can watch and listen to in the video below.
Music News
Isaac Hayes Estate Demands $3 Million from Donald Trump for Unauthorized Song Use - Article
Photo Credit: Isaac Hayes for the US National Archives and Records Administration
All the Artists Who Don’t Want Donald Trump Using Their Music. From Céline Dion to the Smith’s Johnny Marr, these musicians have demanded that the former president stop playing their songs at events - Article by Rolling Stone
Are you registered to vote? Register to vote or update your registration ASAP!
Travelers Will Soon Receive Automatic Refunds For Canceled Or Significantly Delayed Flights - Article
Music Leading into the interview is "Everybody wants to rule the world" by Tears for Fears, performed by Drew Tucker on Vibraphone.
Drew Tucker Interview
The "Other" Drew Tucker that Damon and Drew talk about.
Drew was a graphic designer in the past and had aspirations to draw comic books. Drew talks about other skills he learned from graphic design and advertising.
Drew marched drum corps at the Magic of Orlando.
Drew and Damon talk about changing times and mention the series “Entourage,”
as well as “Peter Pan,”
and the song "Baby It's Cold Outside.” ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’: A Brief History of the Holiday Song Controversy.
Drew grew up in and around Plantation, FL and went to Olympic Heights High School.
Drew attended Florida Atlantic University and Berklee College of Music for his undergrad.
He also attended Art Institute of Florida for Graphic Design.
Drew moved to Europe (Germany) to study with Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic.
He also did the Belgium Marimba Competition, as well as going to Tokyo to study..
Drew talks about going past playing the notes and what he learned from (friend of the show) Stefon Harris. Drew talks about seeing value in things.
Drew talks about his band "Drew Tucker and the New Standard" and creating opportunities.
Drew was a member of the Palm Beach Youth Orchestra.
Drew and his band were part of the American Music Abroad Ambassador program.
He mentions Jazz Road. Shout-out to Bill Muter.
Damon and Drew talk about when to play for free and/or exposure.
Drew talks about when the relationship changes and what is expected of you.
Drew taught at Victor Wooten's camp. He mentions Victor's book, "The Music Lessson."
Drew proposes a "How to tour," class and a "How to be a bandleader vs. sideperson" class.
Drew picks the iconic recording (above in the show notes). And then changes it to the album "One More Once" by Michel Camilo. The song specifically he refers to is "Caribe."
Drew uses Innovative Percussion, specifically Drew's Signature Mallets; Pearl Adams percussion; GonBops; and Sabian Cymbals.
Shout-out and R.I.P. to Shaun Martin.
Shout-outs to Dr. Ray Donato (he also mentions Stryke Percussion), James "Jed" Davis , Jerry Carpenter , Errol Rackipov , and Karen Bradley.
The song leading out of the episode is a cover of “When Doves Cry” by the late artist formerly known as ‘Prince.’ This track features Drew Tucker on Vibraphone.
