#449 Dr. Don Parker- Percussionist, Drummer, Educator, and More!
This week’s guest is Dr. Don Parker. Don serves as Chair and Professor of Music (Percussion) at Georgia College and State University. Don recently presented a panel discussion on Developing the 21st Century Musician at the NASM 2017 conference in Phoenix, Arizona. At the HBCU forum he served as the artist in residence for the River City Drum Corps for their inaugural percussion ensemble in Summer 2014, and guest clinician for the annual Keeper of the Dreams Celebration in Louisville, KY in January 2015. In 2011, he served as the guest conductor for The HBCU-NBDC All-Star Percussion Ensemble in Atlanta, Georgia and Percussion Instructor at the H.O.P.E. Summer Percussion Camp at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He performed with the Fayetteville Jazz Orchestra and Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra from 2003 thru 2019 as a featured soloist and served as principal percussionist. He currently performs with his trumpet/percussion duo, Double Take, which released its second CD in 2008 entitled “Atmospheres” featuring commissioned works and his jazz vibes and piano duo, The Haydon/Parker Duo, which released its second CD in December 2015 entitled "Reunion", available on the ACA Digital recordings/ Albany Record. He is the director for the Summer Music Camps @ FSU. Don contributed a teacher resource guide to “Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz Vol. I“ compiled and edited by Richard Miles and Ronald Carter, released in 2007 through GIA Publications as well as the recently release of Vol. II in December 2015.
Dr. Parker holds active membership in PAS, NACWPI, JEN, and the American Federation of Musicians. Prior to GCSU, Dr. Parker taught and served as Interim Chair and Assistant Chair at Fayetteville State University and taught at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Chadron State College (Nebraska) and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Dr. Parker has a B.M. in Performance and Music Business from DePauw University and a M.M. and D.M.A. in Percussion Performance from the University of Texas in Austin. Dr. Parker has endorsements with Sabian Cymbals, Mapex Drums, Mike Balter Mallets, Vic Firth Sticks, Remo Drumheads and World Percussion, LP Music Group, and Majestic Percussion. For more information go to: www.parkerlinchmusic.com.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Michito Sanchez. Michito is one of Los Angeles’ top studio and live percussionists, has a unique ability to create an atmosphere from the Amazon or just groove on a Shaker or Cowbell. Michito also applies his knowledge of Conga drum techniques to other world percussion instruments, simplifying or intensifying intricate world beat rhythms to fit in today’s sound of Pop, Rock, R & B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, etc. situations. Aside from the standard, Michito has gathered hundreds of Percussion Instruments from around the globe, which he utilizes with a virtuosity that enhances any musical situation making it a true experience. Michito envelopes his performance with a great attitude and creative energy.
Happy Birthday to Jeff Queen. Jeff has been involved with percussion since the age of 10. At the age of 15, Jeff began his drum corps career with the Canton Bluecoats and continued on to march with the Velvet Knights, Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Knights and the University of North Texas. Jeff was the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble Snare Drum Champion in 1994 and 1995 as well as the Percussive Arts Society Individual Snare Drum Champion in 1994 and 1995. Jeff has taught in the drum corps activity for over 15 years, including being the caption head for the Carolina Crown drum and bugle corps from 2003-04, percussion arranger for the Colts Drum and Bugle corps for 2007-08.
Jeff is an original cast member of the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway Show "BLAST" where he was a solo performer and battery instructor from 1999–2003. Jeff has performed across the US, Europe and Asia. In addition Jeff has appeared on numerous Television shows including: The Late Show with David Letterman, The Kennedy Center Honors 2000, NBA All-Star Game 2001, Grey Cup 2007, “BLAST”, and “The Making of Blast” on PBS DVD and Video.
Queen is the author of The Next Level: Rudimental Drumming Techniques available through Jeff Queen Productions and Playing With Sticks, a more than 3-hour instructional DVD through Hudson Music. More of Jeff’s compositions are available through Drop6 Media, Tapspace Publications, and jeffqueen.com. Jeff is a signature artist for Vic Firth Drumsticks and proudly endorses Pearl Drums, Evans Drumheads and Zildjian cymbals.
Jeff holds his BM in Music Theory and Composition and MM in Percussion Performance from Butler University. Currently, Jeff is the Percussion Coordinator for Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana and is on the percussion faculty at Butler University. When not teaching at home, Jeff travels the world as an active composer, arranger, judge, clinician, and performer.
Happy Birthday to Blair Sinta. Blair is a drummer in Los Angeles. He has toured and recorded with Alanis Morissette, Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cornell, Annie Lennox, Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart, Glen Ballard, Damien Rice, John Fogerty, Gwen Stefani, Better Than Ezra and many others. Blair engineers, drums and writes music from his studio “Donkey Den”. He has developed a course to learn recording drums and engineering in the age of home studios called Sticks and Wires.
Happy Birthday to Ryan Lacey of Gaelic Storm. Ryan joined Damon on Will Fry’s episode.
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.
There is a drumset opening in the Army Field Band for the Jazz Ambassadors Big Band. Shout-out to Master Sergeant Glenn Robertson for the heads up!
Gary Clark Jr. is going back out on tour with friend of the show, J.J. Johnson on drums.
Damon will be at the DW Factory Day partially sponsored by Guitar Center. He will be a guest judge with other friends of the show, Fausto Cuevas III, Richie Gajate Garcia, and Roland Garcia among others.
Educational Spotlight
You can go to Africa with friend of the show Weedie Braimah from December 30-Jan 16. You can call 216.559.0162 or email info@djapo.com for more info. You can register by CLICKING THIS LINK.
You can travel to Senegal with friend of the show Magatte Fall from December 27- Jan 6.
Friend of the show, Thom Hannum is now the director of education for the Pearl/Adams percussion company.
Iconic Recording
Don picked the iconic recording for the week. He chose, “My Favorite Things” performed by John Coltrane with Elvin Jones on drums.
Music News
Congratulations to everyone who participated in the DCI season. Special shout-out to the Boston Crusaders for winning the championship on their 85th anniversary, best brass, best color guard and best percussion with a perfect score in drums.
Shout-out to friends of the show who were on staff there. Some of them were also taught by Thom Hannum at UMass Amherst. like Colin McNutt, Ian Hale, Alex Beltran, Iain Moyer, and Jim Ancona. Shout-out to friend of the show Jason Ihnat who did not go to UMass, but was on staff.
There are two more rounds of PASIC artists announced. Friends of the show, Fabio Oliveira and Casey Cangelosi are two of the many artists announced.
Make sure you REGISTER and then BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM. There are less than 100 days until the convention!
If you are interested in submitting for the Grammys, you have until the end of August. Check out this video below to be prepared.
The voting is currently open for the Latin Grammys with the voting completed on September 12th.
Don Parker Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Sea Journey” by Chick Corea, performed by the Haydon/Parker Duo (Geoff Haydon - Piano, Don Parker - Vibraphone)
Damon and Don met during a roundtable meeting for ABOP.
This organization was started by friend of the show, Raynor Carroll.
Don is an advisor for the ABOP organization. Shout-out to Tim Adams
Damon mentions the rumor about Beethoven being black and Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
Don got his start with the Washington D.C. Youth Orchestra.
Damon mentions Go-Go music and a black punk band out of Washington D.C. in Bad Brains.
Don went to DePauw University for his undergrad. He talks about his business prowess.
Don did an internship at Full Sail University for studio and recording.
Damon mentions the Van Halen M&Ms story in their rider.
Don talks about studying abroad in Austria as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
Don mentions the duo he has with his wife Sheryl called Double Take.
Don talks about traveling to Jordan and how traveling outside the USA helps his teaching as well.
Don teaches at Georgia College & State University.
Previous to his current institution, Don taught at The University of Nebraska at Pine Bluff, then to Chadron State College also in Nebraska, University of Missouri at St. Louis, to Fayetteville State University.
Don mentions his wife teaching lessons through Lessonface.
You can get some of his recordings from THIS LINK HERE.
He also plays in the Haydon/Parker piano and vibraphone duo.
Don was involved with The Center for Black Music Research at one point.
Don attended University of Texas at Austin for his masters and doctorate.
Don picks the iconic recording for the week.
Shout-out to Elvin Jones.
Damon tells a Miles Davis story with Coltrane and Elvin.
Don is also involved with JEN (Jazz Education Network)
Shout-out to Carl Allen.
Shout-out to Roberta Washington, Thomas Akins, Johnny Lee Lane, Marvin Sparks, Ndugu Chancler, Craig Williams, Ruben Alvarez, Julie Spencer, Tim Adams and more!
Don uses KHS America, (Majestic Percussion, Mapex Drums, Sonar Drums), Sabian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Latin Percussion, and Mike Balter Mallets.
Don will be part of the M’Boom tribute at PASIC on November the 14th.
