#447 Aaron Steele- Drummer, Producer, and More!
This week’s guest is Aaron Steele. Aaron Gilbert Steele is a drummer and percussionist based in Los Angeles and Nashville who dabbles in many realms. From playing rootsy Americana with Peter Bradley Adams, to bringing people into a different digital dimension with the cinematic sounds of Chrome Sparks, Aaron never misses a beat and is not one to be held down by a genre. He is consistent in finding ways to better support the songs and artists he works with, including renowned artists like Hayley Williams (on Petals for Armor) and Jose James (on his 2019 European Tour).
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Will Fry! Will is a multi-percussionist based in Peckham, London. Will moved from his hometown of Brighton to London at twenty years old and quickly began working with a wide range of influential musicians, including Alex Wilson, Snowboy, Roy Ayers, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Nathan Haines, Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers, Sola Akingbola, Jamiroquai, Duffy, Roberto Pla and more.
Over the next ten years, he performed in over thirty countries across six continents, including Baaba Maal’s Blues de Fleuve festival in Senegal, Java Jazz festival in Jakarta and Fuji Rock festival in Japan. Later performance credits include Eliane Correa, Ola Onabule, Giovanni Hidalgo, Eliel Lazo, Joe Bataan, Dele Sosimi (Fela Kuti), Native Dancer, Femi Temowo, Ill Considered, Rene Alveraz and more.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Fabio Oliveira! Dr. Oliveira is a performer and educator with a wide variety of professional experiences as percussionist, improviser and conductor, working regularly in orchestral, chamber, solo and artist accompaniment settings, and navigating consistently between European classical and traditional Brazilian music. Transversing these traditions is an important and distinctive feature of his work. As a scholar, Fabio concentrated in matters related to multiple-percussion performance - dealing with music by Aperghis, Xenakis and Tutschku, preparing performances with live electronics, text translation in Instrumental Musical Theatre, composer-performer collaboration, and instrument building. Dr. Oliveira has recordings released on Tzadik, New World Records and Mode Records.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Tim Greene! Tim Greene Sr. is currently in his sixth year as the Assistant Band Director/Percussion Director for Cypress Ranch High School out of Cypress Texas, in West Houston. During his tenure at Cypress Ranch High School the percussion section and band have become highly competitive in both indoor and outdoor arenas. Most notable awards include; Area Finalist in the UIL State Marching band contest 2018, Earning Sweepstakes with 1st division ratings across the board for Marching and Concert ensembles 2017-2018, Best percussion at multiple marching band contest, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 earning first place in Scholastic A division TCGC Championships indoor percussion contest in 2015.
Happy Birthday to Rich Redmond! Rich began playing drums at age 8 and eventually played in the prestigious 1:00 Lab Band at The University of North Texas. Receiving his Master's Degree in Music Education, Rich now combines his classical training and 'street smarts' musicianship to bring his passion filled drumming to the world. Rich’s versatile, dynamic, and rock solid drumming is the sound behind many of today's top talents.
Rich has toured/recorded/performed with: Jason Aldean, Ludacris, Kelly Clarkson, Bryan Adams, Bob Seger, Joe Perry, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Thompson Square, Steel Magnolia, The Pointer Sisters, John Eddie, Pam Tillis, Susan Ashton, Deana Carter, Montgomery Gentry, Alabama, John Anderson, Trace Adkins, Keith Urban, Emily West, Lauren Alaina, and many others. Rich has played drums and percussion on 19 #1 singles.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Iain Moyer! Iain is the Director of Athletic Bands and Music Programs Recruiter at Widener University. As Director of Athletic Bands, he oversees all aspects of the Widener University Marching and Pep Band, which performs at home football and basketball games, along with other university events. In his role as a Music Programs Recruiter, he is responsible for recruiting high school students with a music background into Widener’s academic majors and placing them in one of the many Widener music ensembles.
Iain also serves as the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps' Front Ensemble Arranger. Prior to joining the Boston Crusaders, Iain served on the percussion staff of The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, where he served as Front Ensemble Arranger from 2009-2016.
Gig Alerts
Damon mentioned a couple weeks ago, percussionist Jeffrey Barudin has a tab on his website specifically for job openings in both percussion performance and education.
Here are some recent postings…..
University Positions
Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, MI) - Part-Time Lecturer (Percussion)
Kentucky State University (Frankfort, KY) - Assistant Professor of Applied Percussion/Assc Dir of BandsCollege of Southern Nevada (North Las Vegas, NV) - PT Music Instructor, Fine Arts Dept
York College of Pennsylvania (York, PA) - Adjunct Instructor of Applied Music
Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ) - Marching Scarlet Knights Academic Support Positions
Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, NC) - Adjunct Instructor Percussion
Non-Collegiate Teaching Jobs
Cheltenham High School (Wyncote, PA) - Percussion Director
Clifton Middle School (Clifton, TX) - Assistant Band Director-Percussion
Charles Page High School (Sand Springs, OK) - Drumline Instructor
Gloucester City High School (Gloucester City, NJ) - Drumline Instructor
Robinson ISD (Robinson, TX) - Assistant Band Director/Percussion
Orchestral Performance Jobs
Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (Tallahassee, FL) - Acting Principal Percussion, Section Percussion
Utah Symphony (SLC, UT) - Principal Timpani
San Diego Symphony (S.D., CA) - Section Percussion
Los Angeles Philharmonic (L.A., CA) - Section Percussion
Austin Symphony (Austin, TX) - Section Percussion
Salt Lake Symphony (Salt Lake City, UT) - Principal Percussion & Section Percussion (VOLUNTEER GIG)
Bloomington Symphony (Bloomington, MN) - Principal Percussion/Assoc. Principal Timpani (VOLUNTEER GIG)
Stockton Symphony (Stockton, CA) - Principal Timpani
The Global Citizen Festival is happening in NYC on Sept 27th and in Brazil on Nov 1st.
Friend of the show, Brendan Buckley will be performing with Shakira in NYC.
The Allentown Drum Corps competition, called The Eastern Classic will be happening in Allentown, PA on Friday Aug 1st as well as Sat Aug 2nd.
The San Jose Jazz Summerfest is happening in San Jose, CA from Aug 8th-10th.
Educational Spotlight
The next round of artists have been announced for clinics, seminars, performances and more at PASIC50
Don’t wait to get registered for your badge and reserve your hotel room before they sell out!
Iconic Recording
Aaron chose two songs for this week’s iconic recording. First, “We Got By (Live 1977 Version)” by Al Jarreau from the ‘Look to the Rainbow - Live in Europe’ album, with Joe Correro on drums/percussion.
The second recording is, “Matrix” by Chick Corea from the ‘Now He Sings, Now He Sobs” album with Roy Haynes on drums.
Music News
Why Spotify’s CEO Is Worth Billions While Musicians Make Pennies -Check out the video below from More Perfect Union.
A representative for Phil Collins assures fans that the musician is not in hospice care, despite recent rumors. But the 74-year-old legend is “very sick.” -Article
There’s been some math not mathing from the FireAid music event earlier this year.
In the wake of the massive wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in January 2025, the FireAid benefit concert united the music industry and millions of global viewers. The event raised an impressive $100 million for wildfire relief and recovery—but recent questions swirl about how those funds were allocated. Now FireAid says a full accounting will be made public in December 2025. -Article
California’s high-profile FireAid campaign’s funds distribution continues to receive high scrutiny — and suspect non-profits are taking note. Recent developments show at least one non-profit organization has returned FireAid funds, responding to public and political pressure over transparency and fund allocations. U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) is part of a growing chorus of people demanding answers. -Article
Reps. Hank Johnson and Sydney Kamlager-Dove Introduce Bill To Protect Artists’ 1st Amendment Rights -Article
Aaron Steele Interview
The song leading into the interview is “Simmer” by Hayley Williams from the album, ‘Petals for Armor’, with Aaron on drums.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Jon Epcar.
Aaron grew up in NYC, lived in Nashville and currently lives in Los Angeles. He’s thinking about Portland, OR.
Aaron and Damon talk about NYC.
Shout-out to friend of the show Bobby Allende who lives in Staten Island.
Aaron is Panamanian. Shout-out to Jahphet Landis and Guillermo E. Brown.
Damon mentions friends of the show Renato Thoms and Nikki Campbell as well as pianist Danilo Perez.
Aaron talks about his history and the history of the diaspora.
Damon mentions Ancestry (dot com) and African Ancestry (dot com).
Aaron and Damon talk about robots and the use of A.I.
Aaron talks about rules in music. He also mentions Greg Hutchinson.
Aaron and Damon talk about creating art. Shout-out to Bruce Wheeler and Cage the Elephant.
Aaron was a breakdancer. He was a member of the NBK dance crew.
Shout-out to Aaron’s brother, Daniel, who plays drums with Kings Kaleidoscope.
Damon mentions breakbeats and Aaron talks about that as an influence.
There was a revelation that Damon went to UMass Amherst with Aaron’s cousin, Alexis Marcelo. Alexis was responsible for introducing Aaron to music.
This photo was taken at a Jazz Foundation of America event in Harlem, NYC.
Aaron went to the Harlem School for the Arts.
Aaron talks about the Rockwood Music Hall community in NYC. Shout-out to the Rogers house drumkit.
Shout-out to Adam Christgau, Aaron Comess, and friends of the show Ryan Vaughn and Shawn Pelton.
Shout-out to Nick Semrad and the other members of “The Lesson” at Arlene’s Grocery.
Damon mentions friend of the show, Zach Danziger and growing. Aaron mentions Jason McGerr.
Aaron talks about overcoming challenges during a show.
Aaron talks about investing in your craft, but also bending the norms.
Aaron picks the iconic recordings for the week.
Damon brings up a Roy Haynes memory as told by his grandson, Marcus Gilmore. Aaron talks about a Marcus Gilmore and Justin Brown story.
Aaron gives a shout-out to friend of the show Kenny Growhowski.
Aaron uses Istanbul cymbals, and Ludwig Drums.
Aaron studied with Chico Hamilton at The New School in NYC.
Shout-out to Mark Stepro.
Aaron talks about drummer trends and music.
You can follow Aaron on his Website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Catch him on tour with Foster The People.
The song leading out of the interview is “All the Same” by Dave McKay from the album, ‘Three: Vol. 1’ with Aaron on drums.
