#465 PASIC Recap Part 3- Feat. Mike Compitello, Mark Reilly, John H. Beck, John R. Beck, & The M'Boom Tribute Ensemble!!
This week’s PASIC recap features:
Mike Compitello (Episode #126 and Episode #245)
Mark Reilly (Episode #8)
John H. Beck and John R. Beck (Episode #338)
& The M'Boom Tribute Ensemble (with Joe Chambers, Stefon Harris, Thomas Taylor, Dr. Lamon Lawhorn, Dr. Sean Daniels, Don Parker, Marcia McCants, Donnie Johns, and Malcolm Jackson).
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Miguel Merino! Miguel wears the various musical hats of drummer, producer, composer, and lyre player. Appearing as Otaak Band, he takes this ancient instrument far outside the folkloric tradition to produce unique, contemporary sounds. In addition to the typical 5-string lyre, Miguel also plays a variety of lyres and harps with up to 25 strings, which offer a huge range of musical possibilities. In addition to his own composition, Miguel is a dedicated student, researcher and collector of lyre instruments.
Happy Birthday to Brad Dutz! Brad has recorded for artists like KISS, WILLIE NELSON, MICHAEL WOLFF, TRIBAL TECH, DAVID BENOIT, RICK BRAUN, VINNY GOLIA, ALANIS MORRISETTE ,LEANN RIMES, MITCH FORMAN, KIM RICHMOND, RICKIE LEE JONES, HANDS’ONSEMBLE and actors JEFF BRIDGES and RONNY COX, Brad Dutz tries to bring the strangest percussion instruments he has to the session to create a unique sound. He can be heard on TV shows KING OF THE HILL, FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD, ENTERPRISE and FIREFLY. Some of the movies that Brad has played on include LAST VEGAS, BATTLESHIP, BOURNE LEGACY ,COWBOYS and ALIENS, PRINCE OF EGYPT, SYRIANA, HILDAGO, RUGRATS GO WILD,STAR TREK 5, OCEAN’S ELEVEN , ANCHORMAN, HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE ,TRANSFORMERS 1 and 2 , RUSH HOUR 3, RUN DOWN and I SPY, and also IMAX films MYSTERIES OF EGYPT, MT. KILAMANJARO , AMAZON and ISLAND of SHARKS.
Happy Birthday to Andy Smith! Musician, Educator, and Composer, Andy Smith is recognized internationally, having enjoyed a diverse career for over two decades. His recent projects include CD recordings, Finally Here with Angel Roman and Mambo Blue, and Transparency featuring Latin Jazz group Batuquê Trio (batuquetrio.com). Andy’s recent compositions include: Vento no Ritmo (Wind in Rhythm) for flute trio with leg rattles commissioned by Deanna Hahn-Little; Fora da Caixa, an experimental graphic score for percussion trio; Two Maracatu for Drum-set Duo (a popular youtube video features Andy with drummer Marcus Finnie); and Brazilian Suite for Tambourines, premiered at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. 2017 will include new works for 10-Can Percussion and Caixa Trio.
Happy Birthday to Tony Escapa! Tony Escapa the IV, was born in San Juan, PR. His father a professional pianist and mother a TV Host. It was clear at a young age that passion and talent where a part of him. At age 9 Tony started guitar lessons, but those where short lived as he found his true passion on a Yamaha drum set that was in the same studio as the lessons. Tony quickly sat on the drums and began to play away with no initial training. His father was astounded and preceded to purchase Tony a practice pad, some sticks and said: " in order to get a drum set, you have to prove to me that you will take drumming seriously ". Tony had to learn rudiments and practice for at least two hours a day to prove him self worthy of a drum set. His father however, did not really know was he was getting into only since Tony would practice not for two but from four to eight hours a day.
Tony took private lessons from some of Puerto Rico's best musicians and teachers very early. But the lessons where just like the icing on the cake since little Tony would always be by his father's side in gigs or rehearsal's with legendary artist in the business even before he could walk…That being the spark that ignited Tony's passion for music today.
Gig Alerts
Registration for The PAS Percussion Ensemble Competitions & Festivals opened at Noon Eastern on Monday, December 8th, and competition spots are expected to fill quickly. Space at each event will be limited, so directors should plan to reserve their spot as soon as registration opens in December, and have their group membership processed ahead of time (if seeking the member discount). All events are first-come, first-served. -More Details Here
Jeffery Barudin has new job openings listed on HIS WEBSITE. You can also sign up to be notified.
For its fifth annual Petrichor International Music Competition, independent contemporary classical music label Petrichor Records invites performers, singers, ensembles, orchestras, conductors, and composers of all ages and nationalities to participate.
The label is offering $60,000 in prizes across 12 categories for the 2025 edition of the competition. In addition to the cash prizes, promotional packages will be awarded across the categories. All selected musicians will have an exclusive opportunity to release their work through Petrichor Records. -More info
Educational Spotlight
#SaveTheDate! The Artist Application window for PASIC 2026 opens in December 2025 and closes in January 2026. Applications are evaluated by a committee, and artist acceptance letters are issued in May. -More info
In the meantime, you can watch virtual 2025 sessions until the end of the year!
Iconic Recording
Damon chose his Christmas Playlist as the iconic recording. He tweaks it each year with some new updated tunes, like “Santa's Got a Bag of Soul” by The Poets of Rhythm.
Music News
After a three-year pilot, the government in Ireland will make its Basic Income for the Arts program permanent in 2026.
PASIC Booth Interviews - Part 3
The song leading into Mike’s interview is, “Ghost in the Machine”, by Amy Beth Kirsten.
Mike talks about being at PASIC as a spectator as well as his educational materials and more! You can get more info and details on his publicatons and adventures on HIS WEBSITE.
The song leading into Mark’s interview is, “Devil's Flute & O'Connor's Quickstep”
Mark talks about life in “retirement” and what he has been up to. Also, how drumlines have become more popular and mainstream among other topics.
The song leading into the Beck’s interview is a timpani snippet from the educational video below.
The Becks talk about how PASIC has changed since the very first one 50 years ago. What took place back then and hopes for the future among other topics.
The song leading into the M’Boom tribute ensemble is, “Caravanserai” by Max Roach, performed by the original members of the M'Boom percussion ensemble.
The members talk about the importance of the ensemble and representation among other topics. Joe references some tidbits about the original members and formation of the group. The interview closes with some words of wisdom from Papa Jo Jones.
