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#426 Andy P. Smith- Drummer, Percussionist, Educator, Author, Mentor and More!

#426 Andy P. Smith- Drummer, Percussionist, Educator, Author, Mentor and More!

Damon Grant

Andy P. Smith (who is also a friend of the show) is known for the depth of his “pocket” as a performer, his uncanny versatility as a pedagogue, and his wit and creativity as a composer. His recent projects include CD recordings, Finally Here and Festive Interplay with Angel Roman and Mambo Blue, Deliberations by Erik Unsworth, Jim Shearer’s Cloud Bowling With Claude Bolling, and Latin Jazz group Batuquê Trio’s Transparency and sophomore recording pending release in 2024. Smith’s career has taken him from the recording studios of Nashville, TN to Tanglewood, Lincoln Center, Ravinia and the Hollywood Bowl. In 2012, Andy was awarded a Tinker Foundation grant to study contemporary Brazilian Samba-Jazz drumming in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Andy has been a repeat clinician and performer at the Jazz Education Network Convention, The Percussive Arts Society International Convention. With Batuque Trio, Andy performed the inaugural David Baker Guest Artist Series Concert at The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Other performances include the Lotus Music Festival, Ciudad Juarez International Jazz Festival, UNCH Chihuahua Mexico Jazz Festival, and grant sponsored workshops with Bernard Woma, Ghanaian Musical Ambassador.

Andy’s compositions include Two Maracatu for Drum-set Duo (a popular youtube video features Andy with drummer Marcus Finnie); (My Favorite Purple) Prickly Pear, premiered by the University of Texas at El Paso Percussion Ensemble at their 2023 Texas Music Educators Convention, and Brazilian Suite for Tambourines, premiered at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Andy’s work, Vento no Ritmo (Wind in Rhythm), now a sextet for flutes and percussion was released in 2019 on the CD, Inspirations from Tennessee “The Dolly Project,” by Deanna Little, and featured in a collaborative performance at the National Flute Convention in the same year. 

Andy taught at Middle Tennessee State University from 1999-2008, and the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts, a state sponsored program for elite college-bound musicians, from 2004-2017. Andy is Director of Percussion at the University of Texas at El Paso. Smith directs all aspects of percussion at the Dept. of Music with a philosophy emphasizing professionalism and depth of musicianship. His Doctorate is from the the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, IN where he served as an Associate Instructor and Assistant Director to Michael Spiro's Brazilian Percussion Ensemble.

Contributions to PAS (The Percussive Arts Society) include numerous PASIC invited and featured performances, adjudication, directing MTSU and UTEP ensembles in competition, serving as past Vice President of the Tennessee Chapter, and currently serving on the University Pedagogy Committee.

Andy is published by Row-Loff Publications, and C. Alan Publications. Additionally, Andy self-publishes his eclectic works at andypsmith.squarespace.com. He is endorsed by Pearl/Adams, Evans Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, and Innovative Percussion. 

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Eduardo Leandro! Eduardo Leandro is a conductor and percussionist who seeks to bridge the gap between both worlds by applying his extensive experience in new music to his interpretation of earlier orchestral repertoire, bringing “new” music’s freshness and excitement to classical and romantic pieces, while also bringing orchestral music’s lyricism and centuries-long appeal into his performances of contemporary music.

Eduardo is the principal guest conductor at the Greater Bridgeport Symphony in Connecticut, leading the orchestra through its 78th season in programs that range from Mozart and Beethoven through Prokofiev, Debussy and Ginastera, all the way up to Schonfield and Bernstein.

He conducts the New York New Music Ensemble, a group with over 40 years of history commissioning and premiering music from over one hundred composers. He regularly performs with the New York University Symphony Orchestra, and has conducted Camerata Aberta in Brazil, Talea and Sequitur Ensembles in the United States, Ensemble Lemanic in France, and the New Music Ensembles in the conservatories of Geneva and Lausanne. He recently served as the music director for the premiere of “The Scarlet Professor”, an opera composed by Eric Sawyer and produced by the Five Colleges Consortium. He has conducted chamber music concerts at Radio France in Paris, in Milan and Torino with MDI and Sentieri Musicali, at Pacific Rim Music Festival in California, and at Festival Archipel in Switzerland.

He is an Associate Professor at Stony Brook University and artistic director of its Contemporary Chamber Players, conducts the Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra, teaches doctoral seminars related to the understanding and performance of contemporary music, and teaches percussion at the masters and doctoral levels. He also teaches percussion at the Université de Montreal. Eduardo has been a guest lecturer at the Peabody Conservatory and Yale University, regular faculty at Yellow Barn Summer Festival in Vermont, and faculty at several festivals in Brazil and in the U.S.A.. He previously taught at the Haute École de Musique de Genève and directed the percussion program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

As a percussionist, Eduardo Leandro has performed as soloist and with ensembles in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In the U.S. he performs regularly with the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, having appeared with Steve Reich Ensemble and Bang on a Can All Stars among others. He is part of the Percussion Duo Contexto, ensemble in residence at the Centre International de Percussion in Geneva for ten years, having premiered and recorded dozens of works. He continues to perform as a soloist and chamber musician, commissioning new pieces and helping discover what this exciting group of instruments has to offer.

Upcoming projects include conducting a new opera by Flo Menezes that involves large orchestra, chorus, and electronics; continuing to learn Ghanian drumming; a free improv collaboration with saxophonist Travis Laplante and harpist Charles Overton; and recording the music for mallet instruments by James Woods, based on bird songs.

Eduardo Leandro was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, land of carnival, samba schools and rich musical culture. He attended the Sao Paulo State University, the Rotterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands, and Yale University. His conducting mentor and teacher was Gustav Meier, director of Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra for over four decades. His percussion mentors are Robert van Sice and John Boudler.

When not working on music, Eduardo can be seen taking pictures of birds, learning new languages, or making use of his commercial pilot’s license while flying his plane around the East coast.

Happy Birthday to Julie Davila! Julie Davila is renowned percussionist, performer, music educator and clinician specializing in concert and marching percussion. She was inducted in to the WGI Percussion Hall of Fame in 2014, in recognition of over 20 years contributing to the marching arts activity as a leader, teacher, designer and adjudicator. Julie is a member of the chamber percussion ensemble the CAIXA TRIO, winner of a 2011 “Drummie” award by Drum Magazine.

 In addition to her membership in the CAIXA TRIO, she currently serves as the President of the Percussive Arts Society. She is the arranger and instructor for the Middle Tennessee State University Band of Blue Drumline, and additionally an adjunct professor of percussion at MTSU. Prior to her work at MTSU, she was the percussion specialist at several high schools in Nashville, Tennessee. Many of her groups have medaled in all divisions of the WGI activity and the John Overton High School Indoor drum line, under her direction won a National Championship.

Julie is a member of the WGI and DCI nationally recognized adjudication teams. As an active clinician specializing in contemporary and marching percussion, she has performed in Poland, China, Peru, Seoul, South Korea, Paris, France, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil and extensively throughout the United States. Julie is a proud alumni of the University of North Texas. She has published numerous marching and concert percussion ensembles and solos and is the author of the “Modern Multi-Tenor Techniques and Solos”, “Impressions on Wood” and “Inspirations 4 Mallets” and is a co-author of “Aptitude” an innovative solo snare book.

Julie is an endorser and clinician for Pearl/Adams, Innovative Percussion, the Avedis Zildjian Company, Grover Pro Percussion and Evans Drum Heads.

Happy Birthday to Gerald Myles! Gerald Myles is the founder, director, and premier drummer of MylesOfDrums.com. Born and raised outside of New York City, he is the third generation of professional drummers. By the age of 15, Gerald began winning numerous regional and national awards for his playing abilities. His training includes attending the prestigious Hartt School of Music and University Of Massachusetts as a Jazz Performance major. He was named the United States’ best up and coming “Blues, Pop, and Rock” drummer and “Studio Jazz Orchestra” drummer by the world renowned DownBeat Magazine at age 21.

Gerald spent several years in the Orlando, Florida area drumming for Walt Disney World and Cirque Du Soliel, while playing and recording for countless bands and artists.

From 2005 to 2009 Gerald became a member of The Volunteers; the official touring show band of the United States Army. With the Volunteers he toured the United States playing high profile shows such as NFL games, the closing of Yankee Stadium and President Obama's inauguration, all while regularly recording in their multi-million dollar recording facility.

In addition to operating MylesOfDrums.com, Gerald continues to freelance and teach in the Tri-State area. He has built a Pro Tools and Logic Pro based drum recording studio in his privately owned home in Norwalk, CT. His career has spanned many genres and has prepared him to perform and record virtually any style of music.

Happy Birthday to Mike Zellers! Michael currently serves as the Director of Percussion at Leander High School in Leander, TX. In addition to working with the high school students at Leander, Michael is also the percussion director at Running Brushy Middle School. Zellers received his Master in Music Performance from the University of Delaware and his Bachelor’s Degree from West Chester University.

Michael Zellers is currently the electronics designer for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle corps form Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to joining Boston’s staff, Michael served on the percussion staff of The Cadets from 2011-2015. He served as a front ensemble technician from 2011-2013 and the Electronics designer from 2013-2015. During his time with The Cadets, the corps won their 10th DCI World Championship in 2011 and The Cadets Percussion section received the Fred Sanford Award for Best Percussion Performance in 2013. In addition to his most recent work with the Cadets, Zellers has worked with the Jersey Surf and Reading Buccaneers.

Gig Alerts

The Musicians for Fire Relief live stream concert fundraiser benefit is happening Thursday March 6th. One of the artists performing is Alisan Porter who will have friend of the show, Drew McKeon accompanying her.

The 9th Annual Love Rocks NYC concert benefiting God’s Love We Deliver will be held on March 6, 2025. You can GET TICKETS HERE.

Friend of the show, Shawn Pelton will be on drums (along side Steve Gadd, and Pedrito Martinez on percussion)

Dave Weckl has some shows coming up with a band featuring Chrissi Poland, Eric Finland Oz Noy and James Genus.

Nashville has its first Rodeo at the Bridgestone Arena featuring Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, and Jelly Roll.

You can get tickets here.

Educational Spotlight

The Drum Fantasy Camp is back in Los Angeles, CA from August 2nd-6th. The drum coaches have all been revealed as Dave Weckl, Dennis Chambers, Peter Erskine, and Gavin Harrison.

There are a bunch of Day of Percussion events, which can be found on the Percussive Arts Society website on the ‘chapters’ tab. The NY chapter event is not listed, but you can find more information on that event by CLICKING HERE.

Upcoming Chapter Events

Iconic Recording

The iconic recording chosen by Andy is “Solar” originally written by Miles Davis, but performed by Pat Metheny - guitar, Dave Holland - bass, and Roy Haynes - drums. This is from the album, ‘Question and Answer’.

Music News

This Saturday is International Women’s Day!

Sunday is Daylight Savings Day!

Andy brings up a book Damon is writing. You can GET MORE INFO HERE.

Also there are new dates up for clinics and gigs.

Andy’s Batuque Trio will be heading to New England and doing a clinic at the NAfME (National Association for Music Education) on April 25th and 26th.

Andy Smith Interview

The song leading into the interivew is “Trigon” by Alexis C. Lamb, performed by Andy P. Smith for CMNTX Records.

Andy mentions Damon writing a book and also him being an author.

Damon last saw Andy at PASIC.

Andy brings up passive income as a musician.

Andy is reading THIS BOOK right now.

Damon brings up part of the conversation with Trevor Lawrence Jr.

Both Andy and Damon are extroverted introverts.

Andy teaches at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Andy talks about the balance of being a working professional musician and an educator.

Andy mentions being a tenured music professor. If you ask the internet what you need to accomplish that, short version is: “To become a tenured music professor, you'll need a doctoral degree, teaching experience, and a record of artistic accomplishment.”

This is one article supporting the comment about school being designed to create docile factory workers.

Andy talks about some of his mentorship guidelines and how he conducts himself.

Andy talks about his Batuque Trio. He mentions their first recording, “Transparency”.

Shout-out to Jamaal Baptiste (piano) and Natalie Boeyink (bass).

The new record will have more musicians on it to accompany the trio, including:

“Batuque Trio’s second record due this year features

  • Andy Smith - drums

  • Natalie Boeyink - bass

  • Jamaal Baptiste - piano

  • Brian Donahue - tenor sax, soprano, clarinet

  • Paul Deemer - trombone

  • Ana Nelson - tenor, clarinet, flute

  • Jeff Parker - trombone

  • Joe Galvin - steel pan

  • Michael Spiro - bata, shekere, congas, guiro (friend of the show)

Andy has been working on some new commissions on drumset, vibraphone, riq, and electronics. He mentions “Trigon”. Shout-out to Alexis C. Lamb.

Andy mentions the New Music Research committee for the Percussive Arts Society.

Andy mentions his Faculty Recital and Commissioned Works at UTEP in February.

Damon mentions Four/Ten Media. Shout-out to Evan Chapman.

Andy has worked with Greg Simons as well. Shout-out to the diminished scale.

Damon brings up the Percussive Arts Society and some of the recent conversations.

Andy shouts-out birthday girl, Julie Davila.

Andy has been leaning into his engagement, purpose to stay sane. How he can be the best mentor possible.

He also engages in self care, mountain biking and climbing, playing his instruments and spending time with his family.

Damon and Andy talk about post-gig music. Andy chooses Indian ragas. He also mentions this quote.

Andy started his private lesson venture at Falcetti Music and then as he developed, he moved on to study with Frank Giguere.

Andy talks about providing opportunities. Specifically with maintaining and tuning gear.

Andy talks about some of his curriculum.

Damon mentions some of the real life applications he and Andy experienced in school together and that he now shares with his students.

Andy talks about being at Berklee and reading charts.

In addition to Berklee, Andy also attended Umass Amherst, MTSU, and the University of Indiana at Bloomington.

Andy and Damon talk about writing charts and reading them. Andy mentions the Nashville Number System.

Andy brings up getting attention and side-hustles.

Damon brings up One Peak Creative, and some of the ads they have created.

Damon mentions the AIDA sales funnel.

Some of the books Damon recommends (in no particular order) are:

Andy talks about his experience with the Texas/Mexico border and the humans and community he interacts with each day.

Andy picks the iconic recording for the week!

Andy uses Zildjian cymbals, Pearl drums and percussion, Adams concert percussion, Innovative percussion implements, and Evans drumheads.

Shout-out to his colleagues at UTEP, Ed Uribe, Frank Giguere, Thom Hannum, Colin McNutt, Lalo Davila, Julie Davila, John Tafoya, Kevin Bobo, Steve Houghton, and Michael Spiro.

You can follow Andy on his Website, Facebook, YouTube, & Instagram.

The song leading out of the interview is from a clinic with the Batuque Trio.

#427 Brian Griffin- Drummer, Composer, Session Musician and More!

#427 Brian Griffin- Drummer, Composer, Session Musician and More!
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