#452 Matthew O'Connor- Percussionist for Rod Stewart, Drummer, and More!
This week’s guest is Matthew O’Connor. He keeps a low profile, so you wont find a website. However, as a drummer he as worked with: Double D Nose 1994-1997, Greg Kurstin’s Action Figure Party 1999, Scott Weiland, and more.
And as a percussionist, he has worked with: Blondie 1998-1999, Rod Stewart 2004-present among others.
He’s played on TV Shows (including but not limited to) The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno, The View, NBC Today Show, Good Morning America, Martha Stewart, Ellen, Howard Stern, Jimmy Kimmel, The American Music Awards (Blondie, Rod twice), and PBS Merry Christmas Baby (David Foster, Rod Stewart).
R.I.P.
R.I.P. to Walfredo De Los Reyes Sr. He was an internationally lauded Cuban percussionist who had a prodigious six-decade career in the music industry. He died Aug. 28 in Concord, Calif. at 92 years of age. -Article
Damon mentions the video he and Dave Weckl put together. Damon mentions the other relatives of Walfredo who have been on the show, from Daniel, to Wally, to Lilliana.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to David Rivera! David sprang from Puerto Rico as a recording artist, composer and arranger with roots in Latin, Jazz, Gospel, Rock and Pop. Over ten years of professional music experience focused on teaching, arranging, composing, and performing various music styles – including Jazz, Latin, Gospel, Rock and Pop. In 2004 Rivera won the BEST Scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Since then, he has been actively partaking in numerous live concerts and studio sessions with various artists. Some of those include legendary Gospel Singer, Ron Kenoly; Grammy Award Winner, John Benitez; Latin Grammy Nominee, Gonzalo Grau; Pedro Capo, Miguel Zenon, Tito Nieves, Jerry Rivera, Chucho Valdes, William Cepeda; Oscar Stagnaro; and Eguie Castrillo’s "Mambo King" Big Band and Latin Jazz Band. For the past seven years he’s been working full time with Alex Alvear and Mango Blue. He also performs as a guest drum set player with numerous bands, trios, and quartets. Furthermore, Rivera recently completed his Master’s degree in Music Education and is a faculty member at the Berklee College of Music City Music Program and in various summer programs such as The Berklee Day Sessions Summer Program and The Berklee Five Week Program. In 2017, he founded the podcast show “AKULKUL.”
Happy Birthday to Rebecca Kite! Rebecca is the author of a definitive biography of the world-famous Japanese marimba virtuoso, Keiko Abe – a work of scholarship that includes an exhaustively researched history of the concert marimba, accompanied by an illustrative music CD.
Kite's biography cum marimba history has been translated into Japanese, and will be translated into Spanish and published by the University of the Arts and Sciences in Chiapas, Mexico in 2013. A Chinese translation is planned, as well.
Kite was the first marimba teacher to record pieces traditionally played by beginning marimba students -- and so, for the first time, students could have the instructional benefit of hearing how these pieces ought to sound. On Kite's Prism recording, she played "Yellow After the Rain," the most popular marimba piece for beginners worldwide. She has created additional groundbreaking teaching materials, as well.
Kite holds several patents for innovative timpani designs that enable greater ease in moving the pedal, while improving the drum's overall sound. Early in Kite's musical career, she studied with such stars of the percussion world as Cloyd Duff, timpanist of the Cleveland Orchestra from 1942-1981, and George Gaber, Chair of the Percussion Department at the Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana from 1960 to 1985. Much later in her continuing musical education, she studied with Keiko Abe, the
internationally known marimba virtuoso.
Happy Birthday to Andy Moffatt! Andy is a lifelong Eagles fan living in Philly and come from a family of drummers. He was in the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Drumline in college which helped propel him into The Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps. before he found out the Eagles were starting a Drumline, he worked at Zildjian Cymbals. After that, he auditioned and was lucky enough to grab a spot in the snareline with the team. A few short years later, he took over guiding the drumline mission. Their mission is to add to the incredible gameday atmosphere in Philly and engage with as many Eagles fans as possible!
Happy Birthday to She-e Wu! She-e has appeared as a solo artist at the 25th, 27th, and 30th Percussive Arts Society International Convention; Journées de la Percussion, NancyPhony Festival, perKumania festival, and PercuPassion Festival in France; Bach Symposium/Bach Variation Festival in Lincoln Center; Taiwan Connection concert at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center; International Percussion Festival and InterAmerican Music and Arts Festival Orchestra in Puerto Rico; Festival Internacional de Percusion "Ritmo Vital 2001" and National Percussion Convention in Spain; Fukui Marimba Seminar in Japan; Giornate della Percussione in Italy; Percussion Festival in Greece; Taipei International Percussion Convention, and many other festivals. She has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and Symphony Center, Chicago Chamber Musicians, and the Philadelphia Orchestra Chamber Music Series in Pearlman Hall at the Kimmel Center. Ms. Wu has performed as guest recitalist and clinician at universities, colleges, and conservatories in France, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, England, Scotland, Germany, Spain, Greece, Japan, and Korea, as well as American music institutions and numerous PAS Days of Percussion throughout the United States.
Ms. Wu's composition Blue Identity was written for Frederic Macarez and the Paris Conservatory CNR percussion ensemble. Blue Identity was premiered in Paris at the Journées de la Percussion festival, and the American premiere took place at the 27th Percussive Arts Society International Convention. K-PAX, a piece for marimba duo, was commissioned by the Taipei International Percussion Convention in 2002 and was premiered in Taiwan and Japan. UP!, for solo percussion and seven percussionists, received its premiere at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December 2009. The world premiere of Ms. Wu's latest composition, What the Sun Would Say to the Sky, for marimba quartet, was premiered at PASIC 2011 in Indianapolis.
Ms. Wu has commissioned and premiered numerous works by Eric Ewazen, Ronald Caltabiano, Robin Engleman, Gerald Chenoweth, and many others. Ms. Wu's recent commissions are pieces written by Lee Hyla, Paul Lansky, and Dafnis Prieto. The world premiere of the percussion concerto with wind ensemble written by Paul Lansky is scheduled for January 2015 with the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Ms. Wu has served as a judge for the Paris International Marimba Competition, Greece International Competition, Italy International Competition, Atlanta Snare Drum Competition, PASIC Marimba Competition, P.A.S. Composition Competition (Large Percussion Ensemble), and International Percussion Ensemble Competition (College).
Ms. Wu's recordings include Marimba Concerto by Eric Ewazen with the International Sejong Soloists, solo marimba CD Snapshot, Suite for Marimba and Flute by Alec Wilder with flautist Bart Feller, A Set of Songs and Dances by Doug Hill featuring Gail Williams on horn, and a chamber music recording with the American Brass Quintet of music by David Sampson. Her recording of Nos. 1, 2, and 3 of the Six Suites for Solo Cello by J. S. Bach, with Baroque embellishments by George B. Stauffer, was released in fall of 2014.
Ms. Wu is a clinician and recitalist for the Majestic, Mapex, Innovative Percussion, and Evans and Zildjian companies. Her signature mallets with Innovative Percussion are available worldwide. She plays on a concert marimba of her design by Majestic. Ms. Wu is associate professor of music and the head of the percussion program at Northwestern University.
Gig Alerts
The NY Percussion Series hosted by The Percussion People features Yuri Yamashita on Tuesday September 9th at 7pm. This is located at the Players Theater in the West Village of NYC. Playing with Yuri are friends of the show, Michael Sgouros and Sean Statser. Previous featured guests include Damon Grant, Arthur Lipner, and Jonathan Scales among others. If you would like to submit to be a guest artist, you can CLICK THIS LINK.
Rod Stewart has been and is continuing to tour. Matthew will be with him at all forthcoming dates.
The Town Festival is happening in Sao Paulo, Brazil from September 6th-14th.
The Bender Jamboree will be happening in Las Vegas, Nevada from September 10th-13th.
The Bourbon and Beyond Festival is happening in Louisville, Kentucky from September 11th-14th.
University of Missouri-Kansas City (Kansas City, MO) - Assistant Professor of Percussion
Job posted: 8/19/25
Review of applicants begins: 10/1/25
Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate applied percussion, percussion ensemble, percussion coursework as needed, oversight of UMKC Percussion Inventory, and other duties as needed
Minimum Qualifications: DMA in Percussion; evidence of successful teaching experience, preferably at the University level; professional experience as a performer at the national/international level.
You can CLICK HERE for more information and to apply.
Percussionist Jeffrey Barudin has a tab on his website specifically for job openings in both percussion performance and education. Sign up for updates!
The SoCal Day of Percussion is happening Sunday September 14th at California State University Northridge from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. FREE ADMISSION!
Friend of the show, Jake Chapman, will be one of the clinicians.
Iconic Recording
There are four iconic recordings chosen by Matthew this week. First is “I Can See For Miles” by The Who with Keith Moon on drums.
Next is “Red Alert” by Tony Williams (with Tony on drums).
Next is “Ti Mon Bo” by Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo, from the ‘Top Percussion’ album.
Last is “Ayenye” by Mongo Santamaria.
Music News
Vinyl, CDs, and cassettes remain exempt from tariffs in the U.S., but Discogs and Bandcamp are rolling out new guidance addressing the “evolving” situation. -Article
Over 30 countries suspended or restricted shipments to US. Here's a list. -Article
The Sphere in Las Vegas is finally on its way to financial profitability two years after opening its doors. -Article
Congress cut $1.1 billion in funding for PBS and NPR. Here's how struggling stations are coping. -Article
Cyndi Lauper performed the last show of her farewell tour Saturday at the Hollywood Bowl, where guests like Joni Mitchell, Cher, SZA, John Legend, and more helped send off the singer onstage. Friend of the show, Mona Tavakoli played percussion on this tour. -Article
Matthew O’Connor Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Tennessee Waltz” by Rod Stewart with Jools Holland from the album, ‘Swing Fever’. Matthew played some congas and tambourine.
The interview begins with Damon and Matthew talking about being guest judges at the DW Factory day with some other great drummers and percussionists.
Matthew was raised in Kansas City. He is a Chiefs fan!
Matthew talks about his path to drums with some minor details.
Shout-out to John Cushon.
In addition to seeing what the USA has done in different locations around the world, there is also the travel advisory page on the state department’s website to know where there is danger.
Matthew moved from Kansas City to Los Angeles after high school.
He mentions the band Double D Nose he ended up playing with.
Shout-out to Derek Zimmerman and Stephen Perkins.
Matthew studied percussion with friend of the show, Brian Kilgore.
Matthew was a drum tech before being a percussionist with Rod Stewart.
His first call was working with Clem Burke as a tech with Blondie and transitioned to percussion.
Matthew brings up Greg Kurstin and Damon mentions The Bird and The Bee.
Matthew was David Palmer’s drum tech and transitioned to playing percussion with him.
He talks about practicing and getting better in between dates on tour.
Shout-out to Rich Marquez.
Matthew talks about how he ended up getting the gig with Rod Stewart. He also talks about his approach to playing the gig.
Shout-out to David Palmer.
Matthew picks out the iconic recording(s) for the week.
The Gap Band or Buddy Rich were Matthew’s first live concerts.
Matthew talks about his choice and relationship with social media.
Shout-out to Dr. Nick Stefanidis and his help through counseling.
Matthew uses DW drums/hardware (shout-out to friend of the show, Garrison), Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Remo drumheads, Majestic percussion, Yamaha percussion, KHS America, and Latin Percussion.
Matthew talks about some of the adventures with SIR Rod Stewart.
Catch him on tour!
The song leading out of the interview is, “Pictures and Computers” by Scott Weiland with Matthew on drumset from the album, ‘Happy in Galoshes’
