#399 Dimitri Fantini- Drummer, Educator, Producer and More!
Friend of the show Ian Hale joins Damon on the beginning segments of the show.
In recent years, Dimitri Fantini has become known on the world stage for his unique voice as a musician and educator. Originally from Philadelphia, Dimitri received a drumset for his very first birthday and never stopped from there. He cut his teeth in recording studios throughout his childhood and high school years, studying at Cab Calloway School of the Arts. Today, Dimitri can be found producing and recording out of Red Bridge Studios in Savage, Maryland, where he creates music for a wide range of artists and projects.
In the education sphere, Dimitri has pushed the boundaries of how the drums are traditionally taught, finding new and innovative ways to help the next generation of musicians. His book “The Total Drummer: a guide to developing your style, feel, touch, groove and more” was published by Hal Leonard in 2022 and continues to receive high accolades.
“To me, music and rhythm are a language full of possibilities not yet explored,” says Dimitri. “I want to help other musicians find ways to explore those possibilities, because they will imagine ways to express themselves that you or I would never think to.” Dimitri’s unique take on rhythm and education now finds him building an extensive curriculum for drum students, held both on his website and across social media.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Dave LeBlanc! Dave is a musician currently living in New York City. He was born and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire. He attended college at the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business where he earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. He began playing drums when he was eight years old. Both his father and grandfather were drummers. His Dad was sick in the hospital with cancer when David found his inspiration to play the drums and gave his first live performance at the fourth grade talent show. He was just nine years old when his dad passed away. From that moment on playing the drums came very natural to him and is a way for him to stay connected with his dad. Recently David has performed with his original project The Evin Baird Trio, various cover groups, and the Interlakes Summer Theatre in Meredith New Hampshire. He would like to thank his family, especially his Mom, for their continued support as he achieves his dreams.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Brian Prokop! Brian is a musician/educator in the northern NJ and NYC area who has been playing drums for over 30 years.
Brian started out with just a practice pad and a pair of sticks, but it wasn’t long before his parents decided to support his new interest by purchasing him a drum set. He began taking lessons at the age of nine.
In high school, Brian was a member of all the school ensembles (concert band, marching band, jazz band) and played with many local groups.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from William Patterson University in New Jersey, Brian made the decision to re-focus his energy towards music and drumming, taking lessons with top players and educators, including Darren Patrick, Jay Dittamo, Ron Thaler, Joe Bergamini and Ignacio Berroa
Brian loves to share his passion for music and drumming with students of all ages and ability levels. His work as a private instructor has instilled a continuing appreciation of music and the arts in his students. His ability to communicate musical concepts and techniques effectively is evident in his ever-growing presence in musical performances and programs throughout the community. Brian’s students have been accepted into county & region ensembles as well as college & university music programs.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show MSG Mark Reilly! Master Sargent Mark Reilly Mark is considered by many to be one of the foremost military music connectors in the world. As an internationally recognised performer, speaker, educator, and consultant, Mark’s experience has allowed him to travel the world extensively working at the state and royal level. He most recently served as the Acting Commander for the United States Army “Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps and previously served as Corps Sergeant Major, Drum Group Leader, Snare Drum Section Leader, and Percussion Arranger for the Corps. Mark is also a proud alumnus of the world-famous Top-Secret Drum Corps from Basel, Switzerland and his newest endeavour, The Washington Tattoo aims to bring a world-class international music and arts festival to the Washington, DC metro area. -Read More
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Matt Hankle! Matt grew up in a musical family in Teaneck, NJ, surrounded by professional musicians. Real life music lessons from attending his parents gigs, private lessons from extraordinary local NYC freelancers, combined with constant heavy doses of MTV, the radio and his fathers select record collection, kept Matt immersed in a wide variety of styles he embraced and grew to function in fluidly and naturally. In the mid/late 90’s, Matt toured the US and Mexico with Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus, toured Europe with different World/Jazz artists and attended the University of Miami where he performed with their esteemed Concert Jazz Band. In the 2000’s while living in Brooklyn, NY, Matt played for several Broadway Musicals(NYC) including Chicago, Mamma Mia, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Rock of Ages. He toured/recorded with guitarist Kaki King (2006-2010), backed several legendary Singer/Comedy acts at The Theatre at Westbury(Long Island) and started a long performing relationship with the Blue Man Group(2003). Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2013, Matt has toured/gigged/recorded with Soul Asylum, Vonda Sheppard, Tom Morello, Jonny Polonsky, Knee High Fox, John Fogerty and a variety of other bands/artists. He performed a limited run of Mamma Mia at The Hollywood Bowl(2017) and has recorded for several motion pictures. Most recently Matt completed a 1 year tour of Europe & Asia with the Blue Man Group WORLD TOUR. In addition he has recorded with his own bands and has released or is currently releasing new Rock n’ Roll music from Vagabond Society and new Fusion music from Audio Collision.
Gig Alerts
A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, Coldplay’s Chris Martin Slated to Headline 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Vegas. You can get more details and read more HERE!
The Chicago Jazz Festival is happening Thursday-Sunday, August 29 - September 1, 2024 at the Chicago Cultural Center & Millennium Park locations• FREE Admission
Detroit Jazz Festival 2024 is happening Aug 30 - Sep 2, 2024 in Detroit, MI.
Damon mentions friend of the show, Makaya McCraven.
Ian mentions attending this Jazz Festival with friend of the show Jason Ihnat.
Educational Spotlight
Damon will be doing two (2) sessions of a percussion masterclass at the First Congregational Church on the Green in Norwalk, CT. Session one is from 4.30-6pm and the second session is 6.30-8pm. All ages are welcome! Students 12-18 $5adv/$10door, 19+ $15adv/$20door, 11 and under FREE!. For more info and ticket purchase, CLICK HERE!
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording is “All We Have” by the band NoRadio.
Music Leading into the Interview is “Malibu Creek” - Tony Camponovo Featuring Dimitri Fantini.
Dimitri Fantini Interview
Dimitri grew up in the DMV area.
Damon asks about McCormick spices. Dimitri mentions Old Bay vs. J.O.
Damon and Dimitri met at PASIC in 2022.
Dimitri is originally from Philly. He atteneded the Cab Calloway School for the Arts in DE.
Dimitri’s dad is a guitar player and his mom is a belly dancer.
Damon shares some info from drummer Aaron Sterling.
Dimitri talks about his band the NoRadio Band.
Dimitri works out of the Red Bridge Studios a bunch.
Dimitri talks about The total drummer book - Total drumming workshop - The Drum Hub
Damon shares a story about Dennis Chambers, Steve Smith, and Vinnie Colaiuta.
Damon mentions using Go React in an educational fashion. Dimitri mentions using Loom for the same purposes.
Dimitri talks about the influence of middle eastern drums and rhythms on his playing.
Shout-out to friend of the show Trey Macias and his series, “Did You Hear That Percussion Part?”
Damon mentions the “Breaking the Girl” song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from the Funky Monks Documentary.
Dimitri mentions the company Sound Bits.
Dimitri also uses the Life Field Recorder.
If you’re interested in foley, check out friend of the shoe John Roesch.
Dimitri picks the iconic recording.
Dimitri uses Gretsch Drums, Vater Drumsticks, Paiste Cymbals, Revolution Drum, and Sensory Percussion.
Shout-out to Red Bridge Studios!
Shout out to J Scott, Noa Kahn, and Jonathan Greene
Shout out to Woody Sutton, who was a student of Chester Thompson.
Music leading out of the episode Here Comes The Sun | The Beatles | NoRadio cover
