#173 Danny Cummings- Percussionist for George Michael, Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, Elton John & More!
The first Latin percussion instrument that Danny Cummings ever acquired was a second-hand conga he persuaded his parents to buy him for his 21st birthday. "I remember thinking that black fiberglass drum marked the beginning of a new era for me," says Cummings. And perhaps it did: In the 20 years since, the London-based percussionist has recorded with such rock notables as the late John Martyn, Dire Straits, Tina Turner, George Michael, Les McKeown, Penguin Café Orchestra, Elton John, The Pet Shop Boys, Simply Red, Daniel Beddingfield, Talk Talk, David Sylvian, Mark Knopfler and Bryan Adams. His playing is particularly well showcased on "Ocean Drive" by The Lighthouse Family, and on the cabaret-tinged "Shag Tobacco" by vocalist Gavin Friday (on which Cummings recorded more than 60 overdubs). He also appears on Knopfler's CD Kill To Get Crimson and on Bryan Adams' most recent album, On a Day Like Today.
At age 12, Cummings began playing snare drum in his school band, then got hooked on percussion with a pair of bongos that his grandparents brought him from Trinidad. His early musical influences included Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, and Bill Withers, and "as any percussionist who plays congas in contemporary music will tell you, Santana (Carlos) was a most powerful influence."
Today, in addition to congas, shakers, and tambourines, Cummings plays a collection of original African instruments and experiments with electronic sounds: "I like the idea of blending very traditional instruments with futuristic, cosmic things."
Danny has embarked on several projects with Knopfler, both as part of Dire Straits and Knopfler's solo band. The last Dire Straits album, On Every Street, featured Cummings as a percussionist and he also contributed to Knopfler's solo album releases All the Roadrunning, Kill to Get Crimson and Get Lucky. He toured with Knopfler on the tours for each of these albums, and featured on the live CDs and DVDs On The Night and Real Live Roadrunning (featuring Emmylou Harris).
Cummings also appears on Guy Fletcher's albums Inamorata (2007) and Natural Selection (2010).
He now lives in the south of England with his wife and 2 boys
R.I.P. John Pratt and Woody Johnson
Most percussionists recognize the name John S. Pratt as the author of the well-known book 14 Modern Contest Solos for Snare Drum. But did you know he taught high school English for a quarter of a century? Or that he was President of the Chaucer Guild, a New Jersey poets society? John Sterling Pratt is not only a uniquely talented individual but also one of the most admired rudimental drummers and composers of the last half of the 20th century. - Read More
Elbert "Woody" Woodson, a native from Washington DC, was a professional drummer over 50 years. He spent most of his drumming career playing for artists like the Drifters, the Temptations, the Four Tops, the Supremes and Stevie Wonder. One of the biggest hits Woody Woodson collaborated on was the Isley Brothers' It's Your Thing. Woody Woodson also spent years on the road with Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, and Otis Redding. Steve Jordan, one of Woody's biggest fans, recalls: "Elbert played with Otis Redding before the Bar-Kays became his backing band. - Read More
Happy Birthday Tito Puente!
Born on April 20, 1923, in New York City, Tito Puente, donned the "King of Latin Jazz," was a pioneering force in Latin music, known for fusing styles and putting a big-band spin on traditional Latin music. In 1948, Puente formed a band that would become known as the Tito Puente Orchestra. A decade later, he released his best-selling album, Dance Mania (1958). His most notable songs include "Babarabatiri," "Ran Kan Kan" and "Oye Como Va." By the end of his decades-long career, Puente was deemed a musical legend in Latin music and jazz circles. He died in New York City in 2000, at age 77. - Read more
Gig Alerts
Damon and Marcos share their views on the One World Together at Home livestream. You can find the full stream below and some of the videos they mentioned.
Educational Spotlight
Damon put together this playlist to complement the article that him and Marcos wrote for Modern Drummer Magazine.
The NYU Steinhardt Percussion summer programs are dedicated to bringing the finest and most unique seminars to participants from around the world. We offer summer programs in percussion chamber music and Broadway percussion.
Product Review
Damon and Grant discuss these two new apple products that will be released soon! (Click on the pictures for the articles)
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording was chosen by our guest George Michael. The song is Basta de Cuentos by Daniel Ponce from his album Rumba Pa’ Gozar.
Music News
This past month Bandcamp made it so artists get 100% of their proceeds, this will continue through the month of May! This is perfect time to put out new music! Click below for the tips and guide that Damon mentioned.
If you live in Connecticut and you’re a self-emlpoyed musician or independent contractor you can apply for unemployment insurance starting April 30th.
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Fyre Festival Founder Billy McFarland Requests Early Prison Release on Coronavirus Fears - Dylan Smith - Article
The song leading into the interview is Freedom 90 by George Michael.
Danny Cummings Interview
The interview starts with Danny sharing his experience since the Covid-19 Pandemic. He’s been staying busy by doing some home recording for some friends and for his blues project “Blue’s Club”, re-establishing contact with friends and other musicians, he’s even working on his French. He also got the Audible app and buying books on amazon to listen to.
Danny was born in Sheffield and then moved to London. He now lives between East Sussex and France. His girlfriend lives in France so when he’s not busy working that’s where he spends his time.
When Danny was 11 he got his first Bongos from his grandparents as a gift from their trip to Trinidad. He eventually upgraded and bought some congas and made the decision to move to London at 20 years to follow his calling. He talks about his struggles with his living situations and about his first comfortable place he got in Ealing.
Danny’s father was a singer and he would see the bongos being played when his father had shows. The first pair of bongos Danny had the heads tacked in so they weren’t able to be tuned like bongos with the tuning mechanism. Danny mentions checking out an afrobeat band Osibisa and talks about their conga player Kofi Ayivor. He was then turned to Santana and their percussionists like Armando Peraza and James "Mingo" Lewis. After Danny started playing some salsa live he began to be exposed to other percussionists like Mongo Santamaria, Tata Güines , Rogelio "Yeyo" Iglesias and Daniel Ponce.
Danny shares his insights on being a “time” and “pocket” percussionists and his approach to how he works in the studio.
““The Humbler instruments are what payed for my house.. I try to climb in music rather than trying to stand out from it” - Danny Cummings”
Danny Cummings shares a “shaker” story from when he was playing “You Have Been Loved” with George Michaels. He also talks about the banter he and George had over their 30 year friendship. Danny also shares a story about a one off gig in Washington DC with George and joining them was Melissa Etheridge’s band with Chris Cameron as musical director.
Danny shares how George Michael’s programmed the conga groove in Freedom 90 in a linndrum and asked Danny to play exactly what the linndrum did but to make it sound better. This lead to talking about how George knew what he wanted in his music which helped Danny learn to know the needs of the song and to mold himself for the artists. He also talks about working with other musicians who don’t know what they want and his approach. One tip he gave is that he plays and records a shaker during the first listen to help him learn the feel of the song.
Marcos asked Danny what his usual rig is for when he records and it’s not much different from what you would imagine. He does share about how much less he brings to recordings now then back in the 80’s where the budget would allowed for him to have two people come set up and break down his rig. Marcos validates Danny’s tip to have multiple different triangles, tambourines, and shakers.
Danny talks about Lighthouse Family, a soft pop band from the UK. Lighthouse Family has lyrics trying to give out hope. They also talk about Sade and Damon brings up her real first name Helen.
For the iconic recording Danny mentions Daniel Ponce’s Cojelo Suave and Basta de Cuentos.
Danny is currently listening to blues in preparation for the new album. He’s listening to artist like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, and Blind Willie McTell to name a few. Damon brings up a joke on how all the old blues player have three names and one of them is an adjective and he found this meme to figure out what your blues name is. Danny’s is Old Fingers Hopkins.
Danny is sponsored by Latin Percussion, Zildjian, and Sonor Drums.
The song leading out of the interview is Shag Tobacco by Gavin Friday.
