#477 Pat Petrillo- Drummer, Inventor, Educator and More!
This week’s guest is Pat Petrillo. Featured on the cover of February 2023 issue of Modern Drummer Magazine, Billboard charting Innervision Records recording artist Pat Petrillo is world renowned throughout the drumming world. He has backed and/or recorded with a wide array of artists including Patti LaBelle, Gloria Gaynor, Oz Noy, Chieli Minucci, Nile Rodgers, Debbie Gibson, Blake Aaron, Will Donato, Glen Burtnik and numerous Broadway shows, including the original “A Chorus Line”, “Grease”, “Footloose”, “Newsies”, and “Dreamgirls”. As a solo artist, he has recorded albums at Abbey Road Studios in London, Power Station Studios in New York, and his new album at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood. He has seen chart success across many platforms including:
Top 5 single “Weekend Vibe” on Smooth Jazz Spain
Top 40 single “Glide in my Stride” on Smooth Jazz .com
Top 15 album “The Power Station Sessions” on Relix/Jambands.com
Top 10 album “The Power Station Sessions” on Roots Music Review.
His groove based yet technically brilliant drumming crosses many musical genres, from contemporary jazz and fusion, to soul, funk, and world music. For more music. follow him on Spotify, and on Instagram @patpdrummer, and on Facebook at Pat Petrillo Music.
R.I.P.
Salsa legend and multi-hyphenate musician Willie Colón passed away on Saturday, his family and record label confirmed over the weekend. He was 75. -Article
Friends of the show, Eddie Montalvo and Jose Mangual Jr. both played with Willie.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Trevor Lawrence Jr. Trevor was born to Lynda Laurence (formerly of the Supremes) and Trevor Lawrence (Writer/Producer/ Saxophonist). Both of Trevor’s parents were original members of Stevie Wonder’s Wonderland band which brought you: Songs in The Key Of Life, Inner Visions and other Classic American Music History. After Stevie Wonder, Lynda Laurence went on to become a Supreme on Motown. She joined the group when Diana Ross left and Jean Terrell took the lead spot. (Floy Joy)
Trevor comes from a musical family. Trevor’s grandfather Ira Tucker is credited as one of the forefathers of gospel music and has won a Grammy (1974) with the group, which he was with for over 60 years, The Dixie Hummingbirds. Trevor’s aunt Sundray Tucker aka “aunt Sandra” also sang with Stevie Wonder and countless others including Patti LaBelle.
“TrevBeats” (a name given to Trevor when he shot the pilot to his cooking & music show Beats & Eats w/ Cedric the Entertainer) began playing the drums at age 2. “I couldn’t sit and play so I had to stand up for the first couple of years,” says Trev.” Music is all I know, and a little about cooking.”
By the age of 18 and a senior Trevor graduated from Hamilton with two scholarships one from Capitol Records (the Nat King Cole Scholarship) and the other the Lieber and Stoller Award from ASCAP. Trevor attended USC for 2 and half years and then transferred to Cal Arts and then transferred to the real world.
“The most important thing that happened to me in my first year of college was that producer Greg Porree’ (father of Justin poree’ of Ozomatli, Trevor used to give Justin Drum lessons) called me for my first real record date with an artist named Vinx on Sting’s Pangea record label. I played on two or three songs and that really changed my life. I decided that I really wanted to get into the art of recording. I started collecting snares and before I really had a set of decent recording drums Harvey Mason used to let me use his drumset to record, which was awesome.”
Trevor went on to record with artists like “Macy Gray, Boys II Men, Dr. Dre, Peter Himmelman and a host of others before getting a very interesting call. “One Day I was at my Dad’s studio working with him on a movie(To Sir With Love II with Sidney Portier) and I got a call from at the time A&R at A&m records Junior Regisford I picked up the phone and he said “Hi Trev hold on someone wants to speak to you” he clicked over and on three-way he had Terri Lewis from Jimmy Jam and Terri Lewis. I nearly fell over. I had played on a record for Jimmy and Terri and they liked it and had a new group coming out named SOLO that was going on tour so in 24 hours I left warm Los Angeles in February and flew to Freezing Minneapolis where I rehearsed and learned about being on the road for the first time. We opened for Michael Bolton in Europe for a month and then we hit America with R. Kelly, LL Cool J and Xscape. It was an introduction to Sheds(large concert venues) crowds, tour busses, and everything I ever dreamed Touring would be.
I worked and worked and tried to build up my body of work and my name and here I am today still learning a lot. In 2004 I went on tour to Europe with Macy Gray, played on Stevie Wonders A Time To Love Album, played on Ashanti’s 3rd album (I also played on her first album) and went To Africa back to back with Stevie wonder and Stanley Clarke a week apart. It’s weird how life is. I have pictures of Stevie holding me as a Baby and I worked with him 30 years later than my parents did.
In 2001 I met super producer 7 Aurelius who is responsible for a great number of hits with artists like Ashanti, JaRule, Eve, and Jennifer Lopez. I worked with 7 for several years and we did Lionel Richie’s album Just For You(2004) together and I co- wrote 4 songs on that one. And 7 is also the reason I met and co-wrote a song on Mariah Carey’s album Charmbracelet. “We had a Sound” together and also we have a great chemistry in the studio.
After touring the world with Stevie wonder and doing the Live 8 concert for over a Million people in Philadelphia, I continued doing studio work with Scott Storch, Mike Elizondo and many others in Los Angeles. I got a call from a friend of mine, Terrace Martin who put me in touch with Snoop’s camp. I toured the world with Snoop and now my drum kits from those tours are on display at Hard Rock in Las Vegas and India.
In 2008, after Snoop I began doing more session with Dr. Dre. I started with him on and off in ’94 and did SNL with him in ’96 and ’98. Those sessions ended up with me joining the Aftermath Family and Production Team. I went on to have over 30 releases with Dre and we are still working strong today with some great things in store. Along the way I have been fortunate to work with Hans Zimmer on “Man of Steel” as well as many other Producers on records and Movies like “American Hustle” and even the most recent “Halo 5” video game.
I ended up getting involved in the Music Software business with a great company called MVP Loops. We successfully launched several software titles and have many more to come. Now in 2016 I have become co-owner of the Parent Company VIP Loops. The journey has been long and it still feels like it has just begun. I thank all of the companies that support me.”
Most recently I have been apart of several projects and releases such as: The Big Short, Anthony Hamilton's newest album as well as Lianne La Havas, Euge Groove's Latest album, Leann Rimes latest upcoming Album, Herbie Hancock's upcoming album, rapper YG's upcoming album as well as newcomers: Banks, Charlotte OC, and Daye Jack.
Happy Birthday to Kai Stensgaard! Kai is internationally recognized as a leading concert marimba artist and composer from Denmark. KS specialized on marimba and studied at CSUN in Los Angels with Karen Ervin and in New York City with Leigh Stevens. KS is one of the pioneers in six mallet playing, and he has composed several works for six mallets. Amoung those a concerto for Marimba and Orchestra called “Concierto Mexicano” Many of his compositions and arrangements have been performed by marimba players all over the world. He has been giving concerts and clinics in Europe, USA, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Chile and Mexico.
He is the auther of the method for six mallet playing called “The Six mallet Grip” and has published 7 CDs and a DVD displaying his compositions and personal marimba style. He also premiered many works for marimba, among those a concerto for marimba and orchestra “Ballet in Dark” by Martin Knakkergaard. This piece was later choreographed for performance on the stage by a dancer from the Royal Danish Ballet. The project “Marimbas on Tour” is a concert tour he has done several times in Denmark and Mexico together with Marimba Nandayapa, Mexico. These concerts had focus on the modern marimba and the traditional Mexican marimba. -More
Gig Alerts
The Bourbon and Beyond Festival is happening in Louisville, KY from Sept 24th-27th.
The Blue Note Jazz Festival - Hollywood Bowl, is happening in Los Angeles, CA from June 13th-14th.
Gary Clark Jr. is on tour right now and friend of the show, J.J. Johnson is playing drums with him.
Damon Grant will be playing percussion with David Ryan Harris and his All-Star Band in a farewell concert to the current location of the Hotel Cafe (before it moves to its new and larger location) on Saturday March, 14th. The show is SOLD OUT, but they might release a few tickets AVAILABLE HERE the day of. Doors at 6:30pm/Show at 7:00pm PST. Friend of the show, Terence F. Clark will be on drums in between his tour dates with Brandi Carlile.
Educational Spotlight
The Drum Fantasy Camp is happening August 1st-5th in Pasadena, CA. Dave Weckl and Keith Carlock were announced as instructors last week. As of this week, Steve Smith has been added as another instructor.
The Zildjian Family Opportunity Fund provides funding for community-based percussion programs in underrepresented neighborhoods. The deadline to apply is March 2nd.
There are more upcoming days of percussion for the rest of February (and into March).
Iconic Recording
Pat picked the Beatles song “Rain” as his first choice with Ringo Starr on drums.
The other song that Pat picked is “Lenore” by Chick Corea with Steve Gadd on the drums.
Music News
With Live Nation’s much-publicized antitrust trial due to begin next month, the lengthy list of prospective witnesses on both sides has been unveiled—and it’s a doozy. -Article
California and NYC are ready to step up if the government falls through.
Isaac Hayes’ estate reaches a private settlement with Donald Trump after accusing his campaign of the unauthorized use of a 1966 classic hit, “Hold On, I’m Coming,” at rallies. -Article
It’s still Black History Month. Here’s A PLAYLIST for you to celebrate with.
Pat Petrillo Interview
The song leading into the interview is from Pat’s album, ‘Contemporaneous’ and the song title is, “Fused".”
Damon and Pat talk about the NAMM convention and the Zildjian 400th anniversary celebrations.
Pat talks about the cymbals he helped design.
He mentions the Studio Pack that Sweetwater offers.
Pat talks about the P4 practice pad.
Pat attended the Drummer’s Collective after college.
Pat mentions his rudimental instruction video.
Pat talks about some of the “soft skills” needed to stay employed aside from how well you can play as well as some of the business of music.
Shout-out to Frank Malabe and the book he wrote with friend of the show, Bob Weiner.
Pat studied with Peter Erskine while he was at the Collective.
Pat talks about nuance and dynamics when drumming.
Pat attended Morehead State University.
Pat is from the New Brunswick area of New Jersey.
Pat started his drum corps career in the Saints, then went to the Garfield Cadets and ended at the Bayonne Bridgemen. Shout-out to Dennis Delucia.
Pat talks about the different skills you need to be a drummer. Shout-out to friend of the show, She-e Wu.
Damon and Pat talk about being able to be in drum corps and also play pop music.
Pat talks about studying with Hank Jaramillo and subbing on Broadway shows.
Pat talks about Spyro Gyra. Shout out to friend of the show, Joel Rosenblatt.
Pat chooses the iconic recordings for the week.
Pat talks about endorsements. He uses Zildjian Cymbals, Ludwig Drums, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, and Evans Drumheads.
Shout-out to Hank Jaramillo, his parents, Dennis Delucia, Walter Kelly, George Lopez, and Frank Oddis.
You can follow Pat on his Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is called “Glide In My Stride” from Pat’s album, ‘Contemporaneous.’
