#468 Heather Thorn- Xylophonist, Educator, and More!
This week’s guest is Heather Thorn. She is a xylophonist in Orlando, FL where she performs with her band Vivacity and as a freelance percussionist. She holds a degree in Music Performance with a minor in Theatre from Ithaca College. In 2019 and 2022, she was featured with Vivacity as the headline act for the I Love Jazz International Jazz Festival in Brazil. She was also a guest soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in 2021 for the Holiday Pops concert. Heather has been featured as a guest artist with Michael Andrew and Swingerhead, Carol Stein, the John Depaola quartet and as an opening act for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
As band leader of Vivacity, she frequently performs for swing dances and at renowned Central Florida venues including Timucua Arts White House and the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts; in 2018 she gave a concert at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Heather wrote and performs her musical stage show Nostalgia Radio Hour- featuring an original script with classic tunes from the 1920’s- 1950’s, and characters inspired from the Golden Age of Radio. She also leads a jazz quartet at the Sea World Christmas Celebration and subs with the Walt Disney World Orchestra.
Heather has performed for the Suncoast Jazz Festival and New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival as well as several arts festivals and community events all over Central Florida. She regularly features jazz luminaries such as Adrian Cunningham, Ed Metz, and Charlie Bertini as guests with the band. Heather has a private teaching studio of 25 students and is a clinician in several schools along with co-directing the Trinity Prep School percussion program. Additionally, she has given master classes and/or performed at Virginia Tech and the universities of South, Central and North Florida.
Heather has a passionate interest in the history of xylophone and is working with Bill Cahn on a project to digitize and preserve nearly 1500 recordings of xylophone and percussion music from 1898-1929. She has attended the Leigh Howard Stevens Marimba Seminar and was on faculty for the Bob Becker Ragtime Institute in 2014. Her teachers have included Gordon Stout and Bob Becker.
Music Education: Heather has a private studio of more than 30 students; she works as a clinician in schools regularly and co-directs the percussion program at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, FL. She also directs the Music Collective- a group of high school and college age students in the Orlando area. Heather offers highly inspirational and educational master classes and clinics at university level.
Entrepreneurship in Music: Diversifying your career and creating a niche for your art. This is a lecture and discussion-based presentation by someone who is truly making a living as a freelance musician on an unlikely instrument!
Xylophone History in Acoustic Recordings: A close examination of early recording artists and style. Featuring a listening session of recordings from her digital archival of Bill Cahn’s 1475 78 rpm records from 1898-1929, historical information about the xylophone artists of the 20th century. Additionally, she will demonstrate xylophone and sight-reading technique, and discuss effective practicing strategies as taught to her by Bob Becker and Gordon Stout.
Theatre: As an actress, Heather’s professional credits include Fiddler on the Roof and Carousel with Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre. She has also been seen in the Refrigerator Capers at The Kitchen Theatre Co., The Miracle Worker at Asheville Community Theatre, and on the University of Greensboro- NC stage in the 1999 production of Henry and Ramona. She has also worked as assistant house manager for the Kitchen Theatre Company and as an audience services representative for the Community Arts Partnership of Ithaca.
Heather directs children’s theatre teaches drama classes in the Orlando area. In 2005, she created the Kreative Kids Summer Theatre Workshop and later Journey Into Imagination Drama program for the Annunciation Academy. She currently teaches three classes of children ages 5-15, instructing them in acting, improvisation and theatre etiquette
Modeling: As a model and actress, she has worked for the renowned photographer Stafford Smith in a number of his prize-winning works.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Keita Ogawa! Keita has worked with some of the biggest names in modern music including Yo-yo-ma, Assad Brothers, Charlie Hunter, Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Le Nubians, Romero Lubambo, Clarice Assad, Jaques Morelenbaum, Osvaldo Golijov, Eric Harland, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and more. He also played and composed music called “Starting Five” with “J-Squad” (New York based 5 Japanese Jazz Musicians) for one of big National Japanese News TV Program called “Hōdō Station” since April 2016. Currently he works several projects like, Snarky puppy, J-Squad, Banda Magda, Bokantè, Camila Meza and the Nectar Orchestra, Clarice Assad and more.
Happy Birthday to Scott Kettner (Episode 9 & Episode 285). When Scott Kettner looks at a map, he sees a direct line that connects the rivers of northeastern Brazil to the parishes of New Orleans and the streets of Brooklyn. A master percussionist, bandleader, producer and songwriter, Kettner is the guiding force behind Nation Beat, a band whose teeming, vibrant rhythms find common ground in the primal maracatu rhythm of Brazil’s northeastern region, the Big Easy’s funky, hypnotic second-line and strolling Mardi Gras Indians, and the unfettered freedom of big-city downtown jazz.
For Kettner, the discovery of maracatu was a life-changing experience. The great jazz drummer Billy Hart, who served as Kettner’s instructor at New York’s New School University, first informed him of the mysterious music. “He was turning me on to African music from different regions,” says Kettner, “and we started getting into Afro-Cuban rhythms and Brazilian rhythms. After a couple of years studying samba and bossa nova, I asked him, ‘Are there any other rhythms from Brazil that I should be learning?’ He said, ‘Yeah, man, there’s this music called maracatu!’ I pointed to his drumset and said, ‘Show it to me,’ and he said, ‘I don’t know how to play it! I just know it’s a badass rhythm and you have to go learn it, then come back and teach it to me.’”
Intrigued, Kettner began asking Brazilian musicians based in New York how he could learn about maracatu. Even most of them knew nothing of it. The only thing to do, Kettner reasoned, was to go to Brazil and find maracatu. Upon graduating in 2000, he spent a year living in the country, based primarily in the northeastern city of Recife, living in a favela, studying maracatu and other, even more obscure Brazilian rhythms with his new mentor, Jorge Martins. Upon his return to the USA, Kettner implemented maracatu in NYC and began performing and conducting workshops throughout the country.
As a side-man, Scott Kettner has performed and/or recorded with Willie Nelson, Cyro Baptista, Stanton Moore and Galactic, Frank London, The Klezmatics, Cascabulho, Vieux Farka Toure, Maracatu Nação Estrela Brilhante and many more.
His new book entitled “Maracatu for Drumset and Percussion” is now available by Hal Leonard Publishing. This is the first in-depth percussion book about the rich culture and music of Maracatu de Baque Virado from Brazil, with photos, history, recordings and an instructional CD-Rom.
Scott is also a recent recipient of a prestigious NEA (National Endowment for The Arts) award for his project entitled “A Tale of Two Nations” which brought together his group Nation Beat and the traditional maracatu group from Recife, Brazil Estrela Brilhante. The grant helped fund a tour that had it’s world debut at Lincoln Center Out of Doors in the summer of 2013. This tour was historic in that it was the first time that a traditional maracatu group from Brazil had ever performed in the United States.
Happy Birthday to Brian Griffin! A first-call sideman and in-demand session musician, Los Angeles-based drummer and recording artist Brian Griffin has forged a singular path as a versatile and dynamic performer, known for balancing sparkling technique with a warm vintage sound and deep musicality in his work with some of the most respected roots, rock and Americana artists today. He has worked extensively with The Black Crowes, Lana Del Rey, Brandi Carlile, Patti Smith, and Richard Marx, and performed or recorded with Roseanne Cash, Rodney Crowell, Alessia Cara, Dionne Warwick, the Wallflowers, Brett Dennen, Nikki Lane, Greg Holden, Sharon Jones, Iggy Pop, Rumer, Gogol Bordello, David Gray, Ivan Neville, Anders Osborne, Butch Walker, Fee Waybill, Lera Lynn, The Lone Bellow, John Popper, and Taylor Hicks, among many others.
Brian’s many recording credits include the Black Crowes Grammy-nominated record “Happiness Bastards”, Brandi Carlile’s Grammy-nominated record The Firewatcher’s Daughter; Lana Del Rey’s Certified Gold albums Ultraviolence and Honeymoon; and Alessia Cara’s Top 40 hit single Out of Love.
Most recently, Brian produced and recorded his debut album “BG & Coyote Radio – Drive West” which features NYC luminaries Adam Levy, Jamie McLean, Andy Hess and Jon Solo.
Brian plays Gretsch drums, Istanbul AGOP Cymbals, Evans drum heads and Vater drumsticks.
Happy Birthday to Dr. Colleen Clark! Dr. Colleen Clark is an Assistant Professor of Jazz at the University of South Carolina where she coordinates the small ensembles, conducts a big band, and teaches her drumset studio and jazz history courses. As a player, Clark has been described as "someone to watch" and "someone who will be turning heads in jazz for years to come." Clark was invited by the ASCAP Foundation to lead her band, the Colleen Clark Collective, at the Kennedy Center.
Dr. Clark has performed in prominent NYC venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland and the 55 Bar. Her debut album, consisting entirely of her original music, Introducing Colleen Clark, was produced by Gordon Stout and engineered by ten-time Grammy Award nominee/winner, Brian Dozoretz. Clark proudly joined the Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo on their premiere performance at the Jazz Education Network Conference in 2019. She has presented her research on the evolution of the ride cymbal pattern for the Percussive Arts Society and the Jazz Education Network.
Dr. Clark has taught at the City University of New York's Borough Manhattan Community College and was active Graduate Faculty at the University of North Texas. She was a lead teacher for the ChiCa Power program at Jazz House Kids in Montclair, NJ.
Clark can most recently be heard playing on SteepleChase record #900, Allegra Levy's Lose My Number: Allegra Levy Sings John McNeil.
Dr. Clark is the only woman and drummer to earn a doctoral degree in jazz from the University of North Texas.
Her latest project is CC & the Adelitas, which features the merging of the golden era of Mexican music and jazz.
Happy Birthday to Nate Smith! For nearly two decades, Nate has been a key piece in reinvigorating the international music scene with his visceral, instinctive, and deep-rooted style of drumming. He holds a diverse and ample résumé — which includes work with esteemed jazz leading lights such as Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, José James, John Patitucci, Ravi Coltrane, and Somi among many others. His 2x GRAMMY-nominated debut album, KINFOLK: Postcards from Everywhere, sees Smith fusing his original modern jazz compositions with R&B, pop, and hip-hop. He’s also ventured into the pop/rock world with recent collaborations with Vulfpeck spinoff band The Fearless Flyers, Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes) and performances with songwriters Emily King and Van Hunt. In recent years, through a series of viral videos, he has emerged as one of the most influential and popular drummers of his generation. His videos have been viewed millions of times and have inspired countless musicians and fans. In September of 2018, he released his first ever solo drumset album Pocket Change.
As a composer and arranger, Mr. Smith received two (2) GRAMMY nominations for his composition “Home Free (for Peter Joe)” for best instrumental composition and best arrangement (instrumental or a cappella). Of the KINFOLK: Postcards From Everywhere project, Mr. Smith says: “It was my goal to start with the simplest of elements, singable melodies with familiar harmonies, and use them to weave stories that felt nostalgic without being overly sentimental. Pieces like ‘Retold’ and ‘Pages’ use familiar, consonant harmonies as a means of evoking the listener to “reach back” for a memory, while ‘Skip Step’ and Spinning Down’ use layers of rhythm to express a feeling of unsettled tension. ‘Disenchantment: The Weight’ uses an ascending/descending chord progression to simulate a deep sigh of resignation, while ‘Home Free (for Peter Joe)’ uses a hymn like melody as a means of evoking feelings of both solemnity and ceremony.
Gig Alerts
#SaveTheDate to submit to PASIC! Artist application submissions are open from Jan 6th-26th.
Also, shout-out to everyone at PAS (the Percussive Arts Society) for a record-breaking PASIC 50! (Virtual sessions are up and running till the end of the year!)
There is a Jam Cruise happening in February from the 7th-12th, leaving from Miami!
The Civic Orchestra of Chicago has a timpani and percussion opening. Submission deadline is Jan 25th for percussion.
The audition material for the percussion chair is as follows:
Snare Drum:
Schuman: Symphony No. 3
IV – mm. 143-165
Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol
III
Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé Symphonic Suite
I – Reh. 13 to end
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
IV – Reh. P through Reh. T
Xylophone:
Kodály: Suite from Háry János
VI – Beginning through Reh. 1
Schuman: Symphony No. 3
IV – mm. 230-244
Kabalevsky: Overture to Colas Breugnon
1 bar after Reh. 9 through Reh. 12
1 bar before Reh. 36 to Reh. 37
Reh. 57 to end
Glockenspiel:
Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
4 bars after Reh. 17 through 4 bars after Reh. 19
Respighi: Pines of Rome
Reh. 6 to end
Vibraphone:
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
mm. 620-631
Tambourine:
Bizet: Aragonaise from Carmen
Beginning to 7 bars before Reh. C
Cymbals:
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet
2 bars before Reh. O to 7 bars before Reh. P
For the Timpani chair it is:
Solo:
Etude 16 from “The Artist Timpanist” by Duncan Patton
Excerpts:
Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra
IV – mm. 42-50
Bartok: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste
II – mm. 301-338
Beethoven: Symphony 1
II – mm. 81-95
III – mm. 44-79
Beethoven: Symphony 9
I – mm. 513-end
II – Reh. F through Reh. H
Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis
II – 5 bars after Reh. S to Reh. T
II – 5 bars after Reh. V through 8 bars after Reh. W
II – 2 bars before Z to end
Mahler: Symphony No. 7
V – Reh. 223 through 2 bars before Reh. 225
Mozart: Symphony 39
I – Beginning through m. 21
Shostakovich: Symphony 1
IV – Reh. 35 through 3 bars after Reh. 36
Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier Suite
“Quick Waltz” – Reh. 62 through 5 bars after Reh. 71
Stravinsky: Sacrificial Dance from The Rite of Spring (Timpani 1)
Reh. 189 to end
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet, Overture-Fantasy
5 bars after N through 2 bars after Reh. P
Tchaikovsky: Symphony 4
I – 4 bars before Reh. T through 9 bars after Reh. U
Educational Spotlight
The first Day of Percussion events sponsored by different chapters of the Percussive Arts Society have been announced. #SaveTheDate!
Upcoming Chapter Events
PAS Washington Chapter Day of Percussion
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
Sageview High School
PAS Maryland/Delaware Chapter Day of Percussion
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
PAS North Dakota Chapter Day of Percussion
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026
Valley City State University
PAS India Chapter Day of Percussion
Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
The Nook, Chennai
PAS Michigan Chapter Day of Percussion
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026
Eastern Michigan University
PAS Kentucky Chapter Day of Percussion
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Singletary Center for the Arts
PAS Utah Chapter Day of Percussion
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Riverton High School, Riverton, UT
PAS Tennessee Chapter Day of Percussion
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Blackman Middle School
PAS Iowa Chapter Day of Percussion
Friday, April 10, 2026
Waterloo West High School
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording for the week was chosen by Heather. She chose Anita O'Day's "Taking a Chance on Love" with the Oscar Peterson Quartet, the drummer was John Poole, part of the classic lineup featuring Oscar Peterson (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), and Ray Brown (bass) on the album ‘Anita Sings the Most’.
Vocalist: Anita O'Day
Piano: Oscar Peterson
Guitar: Herb Ellis
Bass: Ray Brown
Drums: John Poole
Music News
Santa Monica city officials announce five major events leading up to the 2028 Olympics, including a major music festival from Coachella organizer Goldenvoice. -Article
New signage was installed at the Kennedy Center on Friday to include President Donald Trump’s name. The move comes after the board of trustees (mostly appointed by Trump) voted to rename the facility in honor of him. -Article
Heather Thorn Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue” performed by Heather.
Damon and Heather recap meeting at PASIC 50 with friends of the show, Stefon Harris and Leigh Howard Stevens.
Heather talks about the impetus for her PASIC 50 performance.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Erin Walker-Bliss who mentioned Heather on a previous podcast. Erin and Heather met at a Leigh Howard Stevens seminar for marimba and reacquainted at the Bob Becker seminar.
Damon mentions Red Norvo and Teddy Brown.
Heather mentions George Hamilton Green, his brother Joe Green.
Heather mentions the archival project she did with Bill Cahn.
Heather talks about Lionel Hampton.
Damon and heather trade stories about Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller.
Heather leads a band called Vivacity.
She also talks about the different groups she plays with and Damon mentions her recital at the Paris Conservatory on Jan 14th at 7pm.
Heather spent her early years in Wiarton Canada. Shout-out to Uncle Barry.
Heather then moved to Maine, Damon and Heather are both Connecticutians.
After Connecticut she moved to North Carolina and did some theater and marching band.
Heather went to Ithaca College after a year at UNC Greensboro.
After Ithaca she moved to Orlando Florida. She mentions playing at places like Sea World.
Heather also teaches over 30 students a week.
She is also a Yoga instructor.
Heather recounts her college audition material. Musser C Major etude (4 mallets), Creston Concerto for Marimba (2 mallets), Delécluse Etude No. 1 and Drum Corps on Parade (for snare), a Vic Firth timpani etude and some drumset grooves.
Heather mentions some xylophone repertoire, as well as some specific songs. (45.10 into the episode)
-George Hamilton Green book
-Raggedy Ragtime Rags by Randy Eyles
-Possibly Tom Freer republished pieces too.
Heather talks about meeting, studying, and eventually working with Bob Becker.
Heather mentions some of her recordings.
Heather talks about her modeling.
Heather mentions this instagram post.
Heather picks the iconic recording for the week.
Heather uses Malletech instruments and also mallets (Stay tuned for her signature line coming soon!)
Shout-out to Leigh Howard Stevens, Jim Miller, Bob Becker, Gordon Stout, and Marissa Weinstein.
You can follow Heather on (her and her music) Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is “Fluffy Ruffles” performed by Heather.
