#422 Ladies Roundtable 2- Kassandra Kocoshis, Jacquelene Acevedo, Mona Tavakoli, Lilliana De Los Reyes, Kristen Klehr & Nikki Campbell
This week is round 2 of the Ladies Roundtable Podcast.
It features:
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Jamie Eckert! Jamie attended Eastern New Mexico University, where he studied with Robert James, Alison Shaw and Robert Ledbetter. He pursued further studies at the University of New Mexico, studying with Christopher Shultis and Mexican marimbist Steven Chavez. Mr. Eckert pursued master’s studies at West Virginia University, studying with Phil Faini, I Wayan Rai, Ki Mantle Hood, Paschal Younge, Ellie Mannette, Al Wrublesky, and Timothy Peterman. He also studied composition with John Beal and electronic music and composition with Gilbert Trythall. While at West Virginia University, he helped to establish the school’s first steel drum band.
Mr. Eckert has traveled as an educator and performer throughout Asia, Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean. He has taught percussion at Dartmouth High School (MA), where the percussion ensembles have won numerous World Championships. Mr. Eckert was also a member of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps drum staff for 15 years and was recently inducted into their Hall of Fame.
Mr. Eckert currently teaches percussion, world music, and African American music history at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. While at UMass Dartmouth, he founded the first and only steel drum program in the UMass system. He continues to study African music with royal hartigan and Kwabena Boeteng, and Javanese music with I.M. Harjito. He also enjoys busy summers with his own steel band, “El Caribe”.
Gig Alerts
Damon will be playing with the Atomic Funk Project at the Brooklyn Bowl on Friday, February 7th at 8pm.
Brandi Carlile is hosting a music festival weekend called Mothership Weekend, May 9th-11th in Miramar Beach, FL.
Nir Felder helped organize the NYC Benefit for L.A. with assistance from D’Addario to take place at the Bitter End on Sunday February 9th.
Beyonce has announced her upcoming tour dates for this summer, after winning some Grammys this past Sunday.
Educational Spotlight
The educational spotlight for the week are video lessons by friend of the show, Michael Spiro.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording is THIS PLAYLIST for Black History Month. The song from the playlist that Damon chose is “Saints” by DaShawn Hickman (pedal steel guitar), Charlie Hunter (7 string guitar), Atiba Rorie and Brevan Hampden (percussion). Wendy Hickman contributes vocals and plays the tambourine.
Music News
On February 7th, from midnight to midnight PST, 100% of Bandcamp’s proceeds will be donated to MusiCares, an organization providing emergency financial aid, mental health support, and essential health services to artists in need.
The NYC Governor’s proposed state budget is GOOD FOR MUSICIANS & GOOD FOR *ALL* NEW YORKERS.
READ THE BUDGET & GET DETAILS AT BUDGET.NY.GOV.
Chappell Roan gave a Grammy-winning speech asking for a livable wage and healthcare for musicians.
Representative Rashida Talib worked with the United Musicians and Allied Workers to come up with the Living Wage for Musicians Act back on March 20th, 2024.
Shout-out to the Grammy winners and nominees.
Shout-out to friends of the show, Nate Morton and Luis Conte for playing in the Grammy Pre-Show house band.
Shout-out to Taku Hirano for playing on the Quincy Jones tribute segment.
Shout-out to Aaron Draper, Camilo Molina and Reinaldo De Jesus for WINNING a Grammy.
And shout-out to Andy Akiho for his multiple nominations.
As of now, the Fire Aid Festival is set to have raised more than $60 Million Dollars.
The Grammys raised another $7 Million.
Ladies Roundtable Interview
The song leading into and out of the interview is “I Feel For You” by Chaka Kahn, performed by Mona Tavakoli, Kassandra Kocoshis, Jacquelene Acevedo, and Dani Markham.
Friend of the show, Kassandra Kocoshis (Episode 12, Episode 311, Ladies Roundtable) and family, lost their house and instruments. There is a GoFundMe page setup to help them.
Kassandra sent a letter of gratitude, and also is starting a way to connect musicians and help others. She said this……
“I feel so grateful, I decided to take on the task of helping other affected musicians get back on their feet as well.
So, I created this form to connect musicians in need with companies and individuals who have instruments and gear available for donation.
If you're a musician who was affected by any of the LA wildfires and are in need of instruments or gear; or if you are someone who has instruments or gear available to donate, please fill out this form.
I will be reviewing all the submissions and connecting the available resources directly with the people who need the support.
Here, again, is the link to the form: Instruments for Victims of California Fires Please share it widely with musicians in need and anyone who may have extra instruments to give!
Thank you in advance for your support! We are all in this together. Lots of love.”
The answer to the question from the previous roundtable “what are you grabbing on the way out in a fire” was, Dogs, cats, and Marc Jacobs boots are the first things getting grabbed.
This episode’s question was what are you buying or doing if you win the lotto. Investing was the most popular answer.
Damon asks about a recording that wasn’t as appreciated in the past that is now appreciated more. Damon’s album choice was Kip Hanrahan and various recordings on the American Clave label, and the two Deep Rumba albums.
Kristen mentions the Africa West Trio and shout-out to Josh Ryan. She said any of the Africa West Albums are a good listen.
Mona interjects about her feelings for Kassandra.
Nikki talks about how she’s been working through the fires affecting her community and friends.
Damon mentions the Fire Aid Benefit.
Nikki recommends people looking up the history of Altadena. You can check out THIS VIDEO and THIS VIDEO.
An album that was tricky at first for Nikki was a Mamady Keita Album ‘Hamanah’, the song, “Donaba”.
Jacquelene picks the artist, Bob Dylan.
Mona enjoyed Rush, but had trouble with jazz, specifically Miles Davis ‘Kind of Blue’, ‘Sketches of Spain’.
Lilliana expresses her love of jazz as well.
Kassandra mentions first hearing Ravi Shankar and Indian classical music.
Damon asks what is keeping everyone sane. He bakes.
Lilliana reads a lot of books. She is currently reading, “Iron Flame”. She also has mermaid nails.
Jacquelene does yoga, weightlifting, and tries to hang out with friends as much as possible.
Kristen works out and enjoys group fitness classes.
Nikki enjoys nature walks and hiking and Tai Chi.
Mona enjoys exercising and meditation.
Stay tuned for a mani pedi session!
Nikki mentions that Sheila E. shared with her about wearing nails and heels while playing the drums.
Damon mentions seeing Giovanni Hidalgo have nails and use them on the drums. Lilliana mentions her uncle doing the same thing. Jacquelene mentions that going back to Tata Güines and others.
Kassandra mentions self care and focusing on a few things as opposed to a giant list.
Kristen talks about getting out of her own head.
Stay tuned for another group song by the ladies.
Damon and Mona mention Lou Perlman. Correction on the NKOTB/New Edition management. It was not Lou Perlman. Brooke Payne managed New Edition, and Maurice Starr managed New Kids on the Block. Payne was also the group's original choreographer and co-producer. Damon was referring to Maurice Starr who managed both groups.
Jacquelene mentions the Encyclopedia Britannica.
Jacquelene shouts-out Johnny Almendra and her father, Memo Acevedo.
Damon mentions the Boys Harbor School in Spanish Harlem.
Mona shouts-out Mr. Tyler from her 6th grade band teacher and Liliana de León-Torsiello, at UCLA.
Nikki is recording from a Starbucks.
Mona says Kumquat Coffee in Highland Park is the best!
Nikki shouts-out Bobby Matos, Robertito Melendez, Leon Mobley, (friend of the show) Kahlil Cummings, Alberto Lopez, and (friend of the show) Joey De Leon.
Lilliana talks about a recent recording session and shout-out to Dolly Parton.
Kristen shouts-out Joel Smales and Josh Ryan,
Kassandra shouts-out Dr. Erwin Mueller, Eric Millstein, (friends of the show) Randy Gloss and Aaron Serfaty.
