#450 Joshua Simonds- Executive Director for the Percussive Arts Society "For (PASIC) 50"
This week’s guest is Joshua Simonds. Previous to the Percussive Arts Society, Joshua Simonds was the Executive Director of Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. He holds a Master of Arts in Arts Management from American University in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor of Arts in Percussion from California State University, Long Beach.
During his tenure, CYSO has more than doubled its programs, built strong relationships with world-class composers resulting in numerous world and local premieres, and initiated groundbreaking artistic collaborations, including performances with Ben Folds, My Morning Jacket, The Second City, My Brightest Diamond, the Chicago Bulls, and multiple performances at the legendary rock festival Lollapalooza.
His passion for percussion has always been at the forefront of his work at CYSO. During his tenure at CYSO, the organization built one of the largest youth steel pan programs in the midwest, performed multiple times with Chicago’s Blue Man Group in Chicago’s Millennium Park, engaged Third Coast Percussion on multiple occasions including a 2014 year-in-residence resulting in a New Music USA grant for a video recording of David T Little’s Radiant Child for Percussion Quartet and Orchestra, and most recently secured Glenn Kotche as CYSO’s 2016-2017 Composer in Residence. These are just a few examples of Joshua’s life-long commitment to percussion performance and education.
While at California State University, Long Beach, Joshua studied percussion with Raynor Carroll, Principal Percussionist of the LA Philharmonic, Dr. Dave Gerhart, and the late Dr. Michael Carney. Joshua is also a proud alumnus of the Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Jared Schonig! Award winning drummer, composer & bandleader Jared Schonig has toured and/or recorded internationally with Nicholas Payton, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Chris Potter, John Patitucci, Donny McCaslin, Darcy James Argue & Secret Society, The 8-Bit Big Band, Miho Hazama & m_Unit, Dave Grusin, David Foster, Laurence Hobgood, Tim Hagans, Fred Hersch, Wycliffe Gordon, Tom Harrell, Joe Locke, and Ernie Watts among others. He has appeared on multiple Grammy-winning records, been in the orchestra on countless Tony-award musicals, and even performed on Emmy-award winning TV performances. A favorite among vocalists, Schonig has toured with Grammy Award-winners Kurt Elling, The New York Voices, Sara Gazarek, Kristen Chenoweth, Cynthia Erivo, Katherine McPhee, Jessica Vosk and singer/songwriter Donna Lewis, in addition to rising vocal supergroup Duchess, Spencer Day, Laila Biali and Shayna Steele. He has performed around the world from sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall to festivals in Zimbabwe. Schonig co-led The Wee Trio, which released five critically-acclaimed albums over the past 8 years. The group received praise from numerous publications and toured internationally. He recently released two solo albums of original music (one quintet and one big band) in the fall of 2021 to critical acclaim. His groups have performed at Dizzys (Jazz At Lincoln Center), the Jazz Gallery, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Lake George Jazz Festival, and many others. When at home in New York City, Schonig is a fixture in both the jazz and Broadway scene- he has originated 7 Broadway drum books. He recently held the drum chair for the critically acclaimed Tony, Grammy and Emmy-award winning Broadway Revival of The Color Purple and the 10-time Tony-winning and Grammy-nominated Moulin Rouge! The Musical. He also is an in-demand drummer/percussionist for studio recordings, jingle sessions and other commercial music recordings.
Happy Birthday to Dave Fox! Dave is an accomplished, versatile drummer who has performed and recorded with a wide variety of acts in a number of genres all over New England, nationally and abroad. He is currently a full-time member of The Gravel Project, Andrew Stern’s “AS3” and legendary Boston Rock act The Stompers.
As a sideman for over two decades, he has performed with a diverse group of artists including Tom Hambridge and The Rattlesnakes, Jerry Bergonzi, Josh Smith, David Tronzo, David Amram, Charles Neville, Stan Strickland, Phil Grenadier and Bruno Råberg.
Dave is, as ever, committed to moving ahead with his craft, sound and teaching practice while continuing to enjoy working with his students and ensembles at Indian Hill Music Center (Littleton, MA) and MJ’s Music School (Waltham, MA)
Happy Birthday to Zach Jones! Zach is a drummer, singer, songwriter, and producer from Brooklyn, NY. Zach has performed and recorded with artists such as Sting, Ingrid Michaelson, A Great Big World, Elle King, and many more. He also writes and records music with his own group, Zach Jones & the Tricky Bits. Keep up with him on Instagram at @zachjonesmusic.
Happy Birthday to Brian Kilgore! In Brian Kilgore's diverse studio career he has played on over 500 albums, including Rock and Roll with Daft Punk, Cold Play, Live, Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne, Whitney Houston, Starship, Linda Rondstadt, Ricky Martin, Jody Watley, Robbie Nevil, the Goo Goo Dolls, Aerosmith, and Concrete Blonde, Afro-Cuban salsa with Clare Fischer and Francisco Aguabella, straight ahead jazz with Terry Trotter, Bill Watrous, Bill Cunliffe, and Bob Florence, jazz fusion with Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Dave Koz, Grant Geissman, and Warren Hill, and rap with NWA, P Diddy, and Dr. Dre. His numerous TV/film credits include Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, King Kong, Narnia, Beowulf, Wall-E, Hairspray, Semi-Pro, Pollock, A Bug's Life, Mighty Joe Young, A Perfect Storm, Spiderman II, The Bourne Supremacy, Troy, Van Helsing, I Robot, The Polar Express, Team America, Robots, The Legend of Zorro, Cars, The Longest Yard, and over one hundred more.
He has also performed live with Barbra Streisand, Teena Marie, Elton John, Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and many more.
Brian received his Bachelor of Music degree from California State University, Northridge, where he subsequently served on the faculty from 1992-1998. His ability to cover all aspects of percussion, from Afro-Cuban rhythms to orchestral percussion, to the extensive use of electronics and exotic sound effects, has made him a first-call player on the Los Angeles recording scene.
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!
The Air Force has music openings and auditions coming up in San Antonio, TX. The drumset audtion is happening on Oct 6th and Pre-screen submissions for Guitar, Piano/Keyboard, Trumpet (Jazz), Drum Set and Audio Engineer are due August 11th.
The Percussive Arts Society has a Job Posting tab on their website. The address is Jobboard.PAS.org.
The WGI organization also has a job board. The address is WGI.org/jobs
Educational Spotlight
Damon mentions the PAS Chapters page, which usually lists the various “Day of Percussion” events happening worldwide.
Damon and Joshua also talk about the upcoming SoCal Day of Percussion at the California State University Northridge on September 14th.
Friend of the show, Thom Hannum is now the director of education for the Pearl/Adams percussion company.
Joshua talks about PECAF (The PAS Percussion Ensemble Competitions & Festivals)
Iconic Recording
Joshua picked “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys for the iconic recording for the week. Hal Blaine played drums and sleigh bells on this track. For the rest of the personnel, CLICK HERE.
Music News
Daryl Hall and John Oates resolve their long-running legal dispute over the latter’s plan to sell his half of their joint venture to Primary Wave. -Article
Joshua brings up the Callin’ Oates phone line. The number to call is 719.266.2837
Shout-out to friend of the show, Brian Dunne.
Shout-out to Pedrito Martinez and his group.
Taylor Swift prepares to enter her newest era, announcing her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, during a teaser for Travis Kelce’s podcast. -Article
Shout-out to Matt Billingslea.
Joshua went to Washington D.C. to do some advocacy.
Damon mentions the organization formerly known as Be An Arts Hero, that is now known as Arts Workers United.
Damon also mentions the Living Wages for Musicians Act.
The Kennedy Center Honors announced the honorees for this year. They are George Strait · KISS · Michael Crawford · Gloria Gaynor · Sylvester Stallone.
Joshua Simonds Interview
The song leading into and out of the interview is from the Velvet Knights drum corps show, “Magical Mystery Tour, In Space” in 1996, where Joshua played timpani for the front ensemble.
Joshua talks a little about the history of the Percussive Arts Society and PASIC.
Shout-out to friend of the show, John Beck Sr. who has been at all 50 PASICs.
Damon and Joshua talk about prep for PASIC with less than 100 days out. You can renew your membership, and register for PASIC and reserve your hotel room. The next price increase for your PASIC badge is on September 2nd.
There’s also the Expo Hall to check out (and buy stuff from)!
Damon brings up (and mispronounces) Inuksuit.
Damon mentions the Mock Auditions.
Joshua talks about the late night activities (aside from the evening concerts). There is going to be a Samba Experience, hosted by the World Percussion Committee, who you should follow online.
The keyboard and drumset hang nights are Thursday and Friday night in the lobby of the Westin Hotel.
Shout-out to the late Dr. Michael Carney. Joshua went to Long Beach State University.
Joshua mentions the “Pad Jam” for the rudimental enthusiasts. More info on this to come soon!
Damon and Joshua reminisce over old sports and marketing campaigns.
Damon brings up the partnership between the Percussive Arts Society and Discussions in Percussion. This podcast will be the OFFICIAL podcast of PAS!
There will be forthcoming surprises at PASIC and in the future with this podcast in working with PAS.
Damon and Joshua talk about how PASIC has changed their life in positive yet different ways.
If you are looking to pursue a career in arts management, Joshua gives some guidance.
If you are trying to get in touch with Joshua, you can email him here: jsimonds@pas.org.
The Rhythm Discovery Center is under renovation, but keep that on your radar for the future.
See you in November!!!
You can follow Joshua on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also follow the Percussive Arts Society on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
