#286 Javier Diaz- Percussionist, Educator, Author and More!
This week’s guest is Javier Diaz. Javier is a percussionist with the American Symphony Orchestra and with several chamber music groups and Latin music groups in the New York Area. He has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New York Perspectives Ensemble, Zankel Hall New Music Band, and Hilliard Ensemble. He has performed for Broadway's productions of Man of La Mancha, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Brooklyn, Phil Collins’s Tarzan, Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Rocky, In The Heights, The Lion King, and Gloria Estefan’s On Your Feet. His studio/film soundtrack credits include collaborations with jazz greats David Sanborn and Marcus Miller, ECM's Tituli by Stephen Hartke with the Hilliard Ensemble, Barbershop 3, several HBO films, and many TV and radio commercials.
As an Afro-Cuban percussion specialist, Diaz has appeared with Miami Sound Machine, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Sean Kingston, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Patty LaBelle, Lazaro Galarraga's Afro-Cuban All Stars, percussionists Angel Luis Figueroa, Candido Camero, Román Diaz and Pedro Martinez, The Panamerican Jazz Band, The Ethnix, AnetteAguilar’s Latin Jazz Group, Marta Topferova, Edmar Castañeda, Tribal Sage, and the New York World Music Institute. In addition, Diaz has released an album with world music band Kalunga.
An active educator, Diaz has taught classical percussion at El Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela, University of Connecticut, and his private studio in New York City. He has also taught Afro-Cuban percussion seminars, classes, and clinics at the Peabody Institute, University of Southern California, Percussion Artists Workshops Los Angeles/New York, Los Angeles School District, The Juilliard School, the Boston Conservatory, and Mannes School of Music in New York City. Diaz is currently on the percussion faculties at Rutgers University and the Juilliard School. He has a book on Afro-Cuban percussion called The Afro-Cuban
Handbook.
Diaz has composed music for the Aspen Music Festival, New York University, and University of Southern California. His concert music is available through Bachovich Music.
An alumnus of El Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela and the Aspen Music Festival, Diaz holds a BM from the University of Southern California and an MM from The Juilliard School.
R.I.P.
Meghan Stabile, a promoter, presenter and producer whose impassioned advocacy helped spark a resurgence of mainstream interest in jazz, particularly among young artists and audiences of color, died on Sunday, June 12 in Valrico, Fla. She was 39.
Bikbaye Inejnema, who served as her counselor over the last three years, tells NPR that the cause was suicide. Inejnema was authorized to speak on behalf of Maureen Stabile, Meghan's maternal grandmother. "She knows she didn't meet any of Meghan's community," Inejnema says. "But she does want Meghan's memory to be honored in the way that reflects who she really was, not what she went through." -Article
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to James Gadson! James (born June 17, 1939) is an American drummer and session musician. Beginning his career in the late 1960s, Gadson has since become one of the most-recorded drummers in the history of R&B. He is also a singer and songwriter.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Gadson played with the first line-up of Charles Wright's Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, and recorded three albums with them between 1968 and 1970. Along with other members of Wright's band he went on to appear on many hit records, including with Dyke & the Blazers. Gadson started to become well known as a drummer following the release of the album Still Bill by Bill Withers, released by Sussex Records in 1972. He played on The Temptations album 1990, released on the Motown label in 1973. In 1975 he played with Freddie King on Larger Than Life and went on to record with Martha Reeves, Randy Crawford, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, B.B. King, Albert King, Rose Royce, Elkie Brooks and many more artists. In 1975 he anchored the Motown classic double platinum album City Of Angels, recorded by Billy Griffin & The Miracles.
Gadson was also the drummer on Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" in 1976 and Diana Ross's hit 1976 single Love Hangover and appeared on two tracks, "At The Mercy" and "Riding To Vanity Fair", on the 2005 Paul McCartney album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.
He has a brief appearance in the Adam Sandler 2009 movie Funny People as a member of the jam band that Sandler's character hires to play with him.
In April 2009, Gadson joined Alex Dixon, grandson of Willie Dixon, on his 2009 release titled Rising From The Bushes, in which he appeared on two tracks, "Fantasy" and Willie Dixon's famous song "Spoonful".
In June 2009, Gadson joined Beck, Wilco, Feist and Jamie Lidell covering Skip Spence's Oar as part of Beck's Record Club series, with videos appearing on Beck's website beginning November 2009. He has drummed on Beck's albums Sea Change, The Information and Morning Phase, as well as Jamie Lidell's 2010 album Compass. Gadson played drums, as well as hambone (slapping his legs), on the D'Angelo song "Sugah Daddy", on the Black Messiah album (2014). He appeared in the 2016 video for “Mama Can’t Help You No More,” by Doyle Bramhall II. You can see a list of some of the credits for James’ work by CLICKING HERE.
Steven Wolf (also known simply as Wolf) is one of the world’s most in-demand studio musicians.
His discography includes numerous #1, Gold, Platinum, and Grammy winning records.
A virtuoso drummer and world class programmer, with an encyclopedic musical vocabulary spanning every musical genre, his distinctive skill-set and versatility have made him the "go-to" rhythmic solution
for a long list of the world's top recording artists and producers. In addition to drumming and programming, he's also an accomplished producer, songwriter, and remixer.
Chris Robley concerts are like comet-sightings: rare, unforgettable, and once experienced, you are mysteriously changed.
He is undoubtedly one of the finest singer-songwriters of any age since the Triassic, evidenced by a litany of useless critical accolades.
His gothic indie-pop and Americana, which first coalesced in the fluoride-free waters of Portland, Oregon, has bloomed like August algae in a shallow lake since his hurried emigration from the West. Such a stunningly bright talent couldn't sit still at the end of the frontier; nay, he followed a voice commanding "Go East, middle-aged man."
You may not have noticed, so subtle and substantial are his songs, but the sun stopped rising about four years ago. What's that life-giving and life-sustaining light rising in the east each morning? It's Chris Robley's music. SPF 30 or higher recommended.
That his songs are ubiquitous and necessary as sunlight, yet his performances infrequent as our encounters with comets — this is the great paradox of the modern era. Luckily for us, an algorithm will sort it all out.
SHAMELESS PLUG
Damon will be speaking at the DIY Musician Conference in Austin, TX (with Chris Robley) from August 26-28 (Damon’s birthday is the 28th). He will also be doing a live podcast interview with a very special guest.
To find out more details and get reduced tickets, CLICK THIS LINK.
Monette Marino is a world percussionist. She spent the majority of the last 20 years studying under Master Drummer Mamady Keita from Guinea. In 1999 she received her Teaching Certificate from Mr.Keita and opened a branch of Tam Tam Mandingue USA in San Diego, California. From 2004–2012 she managed Mamady’s world tours, assisted him in teaching master classes, and performed with his ensemble, Sewa Kan. She received her diploma from Mamady Keita & Tam Tam Mandingue in 2011.
She has since branched out as a solo artist releasing her debut album “Coup d’Eclat” and also opened her own school of percussion called MO’RHYTHM. In addition, Monette Marino has created an iPhone App “Mo’Rhythm Africa – Play Along Djembe/Dunun App” now available on iTunes for iPhone/iPad/Apple TV. Prior to her involvement in West African percussion Monette studied folkloric and popular rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, and Korea.
Gig Alerts
The Firefly Festival announced new artists (below)
Coachella is already selling passes for 2023, starting June 17 at 10 am PT. Coachella 2023 runs from April 14-16 and April 21-23. -Article
The Jackie McLean Youth Jazz Orchestra is looking for instrumentalists, vocalists and percussionists between the ages of 14-21 years old. You can participate in the JMac YJO "Let Them Play" Creative Music Summer Program from July 5-Aug.12 2022, 9:00-4:00pm There are 11 stipend($) slots still available. Please contact Anna at the Artists Collective: 860.527.3205.
Damon has some UPCOMING GIGS, including, speaking at the DIY Musician Conference in Austin, TX from August 26-28 (Damon’s birthday is the 28th). He will also be doing a live podcast interview with a very special guest.
To find out more details and get reduced tickets, CLICK THIS LINK.
Damon will be giving a clinic/performance at PASIC this November. You can REGISTER HERE if you would like to attend.
Educational Spotlight
Scott Kettner has a new book out July 1st called, The Essential Pandeiro Method. It is the complete pandeiro guide. Designed for educators and students of all levels. You can get it at a discounted price by entering the code: panderio-discussions.
More information and details are available HERE.
Javier Diaz has a book available called The Afro-Cuban Percussion Handbook. It contains transcriptions of traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms as well as many exercises for the development of congas, timbales, and bongos technique. Fully notated, this book can be used by percussionists of all levels.
This is a physical product that includes additional downloadable content. The book will be mailed shortly to your address once the payment has been verified.
Once the purchase is successful, you will receive an additional email granting you access to the digital content.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording is by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '77, titled, “Canto De Ubiratan” from the ‘Primal Roots’ album.
Music News
The 44th Edition of the Modern Drummer Reader’s Poll 2022 is out now!
This year features the trailblazers that have had a tremendous impact on the drumming community throughout the last year, influenced by reader’s voices on social media and the like.
In addition to the iconic physical award that each drummer receives for winning, they are also giving them an NFT of their award and making one of each of the NFT awards available to the public later in the year! This year marks a level of inclusion that was previously not possible, but it is now so please vote, have fun and thank you for participating!
The Foo Fighters have shared the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert lineup for the US and UK dates.
The announcement describes this as the ‘first wave’ of confirmed guests joining the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts. The concerts will celebrate the life, music, and love of one of the biggest figures in rock music. -Article
The Hollywood Bowl event celebrated Juneteenth, the holiday that marks the end of slavery in the US. From icons like Earth Wind & Fire to R&B stars like Khalid, Black artists across genres took the stage on Sunday. -Article
DYLAN BREWER has been promoted to VP Marketing & Experiential for EPIC RECORDS by EVP/Head Of Marketing DAVID BELL.
BREWER joined EPIC in 2018 as Director Of Marketing. In this post, he spearheaded marketing strategy for OZZY OSBOURNE, MADISON BEER, BAKAR, BEAM AG CLUB, HEADIE ONE, J HUS and others. He was awarded a CLIO in recognition of the campaign for OZZY’s "Ordinary Man." He facilitated the “OZZY OSBOURNE Album Release Global Tattoo Campaign,” which hosted concurrent listening parties at tattoo shops in 57 cities worldwide. It marked the largest release event in rock history. -Article
Javier Diaz Interview
The song leading into the interview is from the Stephen Spielberg version of West Side Story, titled, “Mambo” by Leonard Bernstein. Javier played some percussion on this.
Javier was born in Cuba, but went to school in Venezuela at El Sistema.
His father was a songwriter. His cousin was Dominica Verges.
Javier was doing classical music at school, but folkloric and popular music in the streets on hand drums and drumset.
At 18, Javier moved to Los Angeles.
Javier mentions being introduced to Joropo and the use of maracas.
Damon brings up Quitiplas from Venezuela.
Javier talks a little about the history of San Juan Hill in NYC.
Javier elaborates on what he thinks happened with the explosion of Son coinciding with the popularity of recorded music.
Javier talks about the instrumentation of Son from the sextet to the septet. Shout-out to the Marimbula.
Damon brings up the Danzon, and Javier mentions the Contradanza which had European influences (and the contradanza criolla).
Javier also talks about Orquesta Tipica in Cuba.
Javier mentions the Orquesta Flor De Cuba (Cuban Flower Orchestra) which is probably the oldest known Cuban band photo.
He also talks about some of the early instrumentations and bands.
Javier talks about some of the evolution of the timpani to the timbales and also how the timbales are played more like a drumset and less like the timpani.
Javier moved to L.A. and attended USC and studied with Erik Forrester.
Javier started playing jingles while in college among other things musically in the area.
He attended Juilliard on a scholarship where he received his masters degree.
Javier received his doctorate from The Graduate Center of the City University of NY.
Javier teaches privately as well as at Rutgers, NYU and a little at Juilliard.
Shout-out to Edgar Saume, Erik Forrester, Raynor Carroll, Greg Zuber, Danny Druckman, Lazaro Galarraga, Roman Diaz, and more!
Damon mentions The Afro-Cuban Percussion Handbook (see above in the Educational Spotlight).
Javier talks about learning the culture and styles of the different countries and continents.
Damon and Javier talk about feel and length of note and function of the rhythms.
Javier chooses the iconic recording for the week (see above in the iconic recording section).
Javier uses Latin Percussion instruments, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Zildjian cymbals,
You can follow Javier on his Website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The song leading out of the Interview is: J.S. Bach’s Chorale No. 105. It is Javier’s arrangement of Bach’s chorale for percussion and electronic music.
