#434 Bendji Allonce- Percussionist, Producer, and More!
This week’s guest is Bendji Allonce. Bendji Allonce began his percussion career at the tender age of four, deeply rooted in his Caribbean culture, but has since then toured across the globe and collaborated with the best of many musical genres. Highlights of his career include providing percussion for Kesha performance at 2018 Grammys, Vogue Fashion show with designer Pyer Moss, Dave Chappelle, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Kassav', Tanya St. Val, Chrisette Michele, R & B divas Jade, RES, Ben Williams, Terry Slingbaum, Trombone Shorty, Craig Robinson and The Nasty Delicious Band, Elle Varner and The Voice's Jermaine Paul. In addition, he stays busy doing studio work with artists ranging from B Slade (formerly Tonex) and singer/producer Chris Rob, to living legends like songstress Roberta Flack.
Bendji has also appeared on episodes of VH1's Love and Hip-Hop, BET's Music Matters and HBO show Vinyl, Netflix Special Hilarity For Charity with The Nasty Delicious in collaboration with The Muppets. Influenced by his father Herman Nau, bandleader of Haitians' leading Kompa band "Tabou Combo", it was only fitting for Bendji to also become an internationally recognized musician. His craft continues to evolve everyday while his effortless performance, and ability to cross over to new genres of music are leading factors to his distinction and authenticity as a musician.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Dr. Brian Zator! Since 2001, Brian has been the Director of Percussion at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Performing and teaching percussion is his passion, having appeared at conventions and festivals on five continents and performed a solo marimba concerto with the A&M-Commerce Wind Ensemble in Carnegie Hall. Active within the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), He is a Past- President, served on multiple committees, adjudicated international competitions, and is the founder of the PAS Leadership Academy.
The A&M-Commerce Percussion Ensemble are two-time winners (2023 & 2010) of the prestigious PAS International Percussion Ensemble Competition and will release our third CD in 2025. Current students and alumni are highly successful winning international competitions, earning graduate teaching positions, participating in prestigious ensembles, teaching at the elementary-collegiate levels, and pursuing their passions through our shared vision, “Empowering Excellence”.
Happy Birthday to Weedie Braimah! Weedie has been on two times (Episode 46 and Episode 140). Weedie is a young premiere master of the djembe. He began his career at the early age of two, born in Ghana, where he was first introduced to West African culture and drumming. In East St. Louis, which is considered home for Braimah, he began his life long quest and professional career in the study of cultural music of the diasporas. A maverick performer of the highest caliber, Braimah has an almost insatiable knack to draw the entire audience into his grove, zigzagging through Africa on a breathtaking rhythmic roller coaster.
Braimah comes from a long lineage of musicians; including his mother, a respected jazz drummer and his father, a world renowned composer and master drummer. Having studied with the greats such as Mamady Keita, Famadou Konate, Abdoul Doumbia, and Fadouba Oulare just to name a few, it was no surprise that Braimah excelled musically and became well known on the drum and dance circuit. Braimah has been a performer, teacher and preserver of African culture for over 20 years and continues to peruse new musical journeys every day.
Happy Birthday to Dominique Thomas! Dom is a dedicated percussionist from Philadelphia who began to travel & study percussion at the age of 14. He and his mom traveled to Senegal & Mali West Africa to study drum and dance with the National Ballet of Mali along with other masters. He then attended Berklee college of Music to further his studies.
Teachers He continued to learn under some of the greatest players such as Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio Hernendez, and great friend and mentor Doc Gibbs of the “Emeril Live” cooking show.
Experience Dom has played with a number of groups and bands in and around the tri-state area, starting with his mother as the lead drummer of a West African drum and dance group called “Kuumba”. He later toured with the Apollo Circus of Soul band as the percussionist. Continuing on his journey Dom has played with some of the top hip/hop & R&B artist such as Questlove & Black Thought from the Legendary Roots Crew, Mos Def, Raheem DeVaughn, K’Jon, Syleena Johnson, Kindred The Family Soul, touring and performing on “Dancing with the stars & Jay Leno” with Grammy award winning R&B singer Maxwell, ended 2013 on a 16 city tour with Grammy nominated R&B artist Jaheim. In 2014 also performed in Johannesburg, South Africa with Jaheim. In 2015 played on “Jimmy Kimmel” & Centric presents the “Soul Train Awards” with Philly’s own Jill Scott, all which landed me a full time spot as her percussionist. In March 2016 he also landed the position playing for Eminem and did the 2016 South American Lollapalooza Tour. The entire summer of 2016 we toured Europe (North Sea Jazz Festival) & the US with Jill Scott also doing shows in Tokyo, Japan. October 2016 performed on the Ellen Degeneres show with John Legend which landed me the full time percussion position. In 2017 I toured more than half the year starting in the U.S., Europe, and South Africa with John Legend as well as doing a show in Hawaii while finishing the year touring with Jill Scott. February 2018 we did the Dubai jazz festival with John Legend as well as a month long Asia tour. We also did U.S. tour with Jill Scott and currently gearing up for a end of the year/U.S. Christmas tour with John Legend.
Gig Alerts
JAS Aspen has their June Experience in Aspen, CO from June 26th-29th.
The Monterey Jazz Festival is happening in Monterey, CA from September 26th-28th. Cory Wong is performing and friend of the show, Nêgah Santos usually plays in his band.
The Boston Calling Festival is happening in Boston, MA from May 23rd-25th.
The 6th annual Marimba Fest is happening in Perth, Australia from July 12th-19th (and online). Friends of the show, Ivan Trevino, Matthew Lau, and Kana Omori are all participating.
Educational Spotlight
There are some Day of Percussion events coming up.
The Central California chapter has it’s Competitive Percussion Festival in Fresno, CA on May 2nd and its Day of Percussion also in Fresno, CA on May 3rd. Friend of the show, Julie Davila will be one of the clinicians involved.
The Virginia/D.C. Day of Percussion will happen on May 3rd and it is hosted by friend of the show, Dr. Annie Stevens. Friends of the show, Dr. Lamon Lawhorn and Karli Viña will be participating as well.
The Canada Ontario Day of Percussion is happening also on May 3rd in Mississauga, CA.
Iconic Recording
The first iconic recording Bendji chose is “Awuke” by Davido, ft. YG Marley.
The second recording is “Cherchez La Femme” by Tabou Combo.
The thirds recording is “Mnike” by Tyler ICU, DJ Maphorisa and others.
Music News
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2025 inductees, with this year’s class representing a wide spectrum of music innovation and influence. Noted fan-favorite Phish was left off the list, though Warren Zevon finally takes his place among the honorees. -Article
Instagram launches its standalone Edits app for editing video, with features to compete with TikTok parent company ByteDance and its CapCut app. -Article
Carlos Santana postponed his San Antonio concert after a dehydration scare saw him hospitalized out of an abundance of caution. -Article
Bendji Allonce Interview
The song leading into the interview is “Try (feat. JVDE) (Remix)” by Bendji.
Damon and Bendji talk about the first time they met at the Blue Note watching Michel Camilo with friend of the show, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez on drums. The photo below is by Martin Cohen.
Bendji was born in Montreal, Quebec Canada. The three things Damon mentions that are recommended to him to eat up there are poutine, St. Viateur bagels, and Schwartz’s Deli and their smoked meat.
Shout-out to Lay’s ketchup chips.
Bendji talks about moving from Montreal to Long Island.
He credits his dad Herman Nau as a huge inspiration musically.
Shout-out to friends of the show, Markus Schwartz and Obed Calvaire.
Bendji talks about taking classes at Hunter College.
He talks about the musical catalog he had in Canada vs. NYC.
Shout-out to Tony Allen. Bendji also talks about the influence of Congolese Soukous music.
Bendji talks about the comparison of Haitian music versus other Caribbean styles.
Bendji has a Splice sample pack that you can get. He talks about the new one he has in the works.
Damon mentions the Maxwell Cruise where Bendji played with Margot Bingham.
Bendji talks about having gear in different cities as a percussionist.
Bendji talks about the Red Light Cafe in Atlanta. Shout-out to Jamm Card and their Hard Rock Cafe series.
Bendji just did a session with friend of the show, Gene Lake and Jason Michael Webb.
Damon and Bendji talk about Broadway work.
Bendji attended Five Towns College.
Bendji talks about working at studios like The Hit Factory and being interested in production and engineering.
Shout-out to Jerry Wonda and Wyclef Jean.
Bendji talks about some Haitian history.
Shout-out to Clyde and Gracie Lawrence.
Bendji has been playing with Melanie Charles.
Damon brings up National Cereal Day and Bendji and Damon talk about their cereal rotation over the years.
Bendji picks the iconic recordings for the week.
Shout-out to Latin Percussion instruments and Meinl Percussion and Remo Drumheads.
Shout-out to Bendji’s dad, Herman Nau and Peter Rogine.
