#488 Matthew "Mateo" Gonzalez- Percussionist, Dancer, Educator, and More!
Photo taken by Martin Cohen.
This week’s guest is Matthew “Mateo” Gonzalez. Bronx native Nelson “Mateo” Gonzalez was raised in a musical family. His grandfather, Benny Ayala, is a seasoned Plenero composer and folklorist. As a young child, Mateo was surrounded by Afro-Caribbean rhythms of Puerto Rican folkloric music. He began formally studying music at the Harbor Conservatory in East Harlem, New York at age eleven.
Since then, Mateo has become an accomplished percussionist, studying under Johnny Almendra, George Delgado, Louis Bauzo, Anthony Carrilo, just to mention a few. Mateo is equally gifted as a dancer and has been a member of Danza Fiesta for over 24 years. He is currently playing percussion with six-time Grammy-nominated musician Bobby Sanabria and his Big Band. He also has two plena groups: Kinto Zonó, an 11-piece plena orchestra, and Mateo y su Cumbalaya, a 5-6 member group playing traditional bomba y plena music.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Steve Hass! Steve is an American drummer based in Los Angeles, originally from Island Park, New York, born to Greek immigrant parents from Athens. He is notable for his technical skill, time feel, and his musical versatility, having played with many artists from a wide variety of genres.
After attending Berklee College Of Music on scholarship from 1993–1996 Steve was asked to join the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. He toured and recorded with the band from 1996 to 2002. The music was a mixture of traditional jazz, funk, and odd meter fusion. During this time Steve was also a studio drummer in New York City playing on dozens of national jingles, record dates, television shows, and movie soundtracks. He was also a member of Ruben Wilson's "Masters Of Groove" where he shared the drum chair with the legendary Bernard Purdie. In addition, during this period Steve toured with Christian McBride, Suzanne Vega, Miri Ben-Ari, Bob Berg, and Richard Bona amongst others.
In 2003 Steve began touring and recording with multiple Grammy winners and Atlantic recording artists, The Manhattan Transfer. He remains the first call drummer for The Manhattan Transfer, and works with them as his schedule permits. He is the first touring drummer in the history of the band to actually record with them. He is featured on 3 album releases and 1 live concert DVD. In late 2003, Hass released a solo album named Traveler. The CD displays Hass' skills as a talented producer. His usage of sonic layering and drum loops is reminiscent of Jon Brion.
In 2005 Steve joined John Scofield and Mavis Staples to support Scofield's Verve release "That's What I'd Say". The band toured around the world from 2005 until December 2007 playing R+B, Soul, Jazz and Latin styles. Scofield also used Steve in his jazz trio, along with bassist John Benitez for select local N.Y dates.
In 2006 Hass had an eight-page feature interview in Modern Drummer Magazine. He is now a regular educational contributor in the "ask a pro" and "workshop" columns.
In 2007 Steve established a second residence in Los Angeles and quickly became a popular choice for musicians and producers on the LA scene, both live and in the studio. His company, Hassbeat Productions Inc. provides studio services to artists worldwide while allowing Steve to record drum tracks for a variety of artists around the world. Since moving to Los Angeles Steve has become a regular with renowned artists such as Billy Childs, Bob Sheppard, Brandon Fields and Alan Pasqua as well as maintaining his presence in the studio with contemporary rock singer/songwriters, juggling recording sessions for producers The Difference, Rami Yadid and Ken Wallace, and touring with R+B great Patti Austin, top selling fusion/new age pianist Keiko Matsui and The Manhattan Transfer. He continues to work with R&B/Jazz Grammy winner Patti Austin in all variations of her touring band.
Happy Birthday to Julie Angelis! Sargent First Class Julie Angelis-Boehler joined The US Army Band (The Pershing’s Own) in 1997 and has served as Principal Timpanist since 2003. Upon assuming that role, she performed a timpani concerto and received a standing ovation while on a trip to her native state of Massachusetts. She was interviewed on the radio and featured in a full-length magazine article as a "hometown hero" during "Spirit of America" tours to Worcester, MA in 2004 and 2008. Boehler's freelance highlights include tours of the US, Japan & Italy where she performed with Pavarotti; subbing with the Houston Symphony & Ballet Orchestras; The Washington Opera Orchestra of which she was an audition finalist; and as a member of The Maryland Symphony Orchestra where she was featured on a PBS documentary called, "Bob The Vid Tech: Music To My Ears." She received degrees from The University of Massachusetts-Amherst cum laude and Rice University in Houston, TX. She currently resides in Arlington with her husband, Joe, and their daughter, Alexis.
Happy Birthday to Carter McLean! Carter was born in San Francisco and shortly thereafter moved to Connecticut. This is where McLean listened to and fell in love with music and especially the drums. At age 10, he started his journey as a musician. Broadway wasn’t even on his radar when he started working at Manny’s Music in Manhattan just prior to 9/11. The self-taught musician had just wrapped up his studies at University of Colorado, Boulder and was hoping to land a gig with someone like Sting, Peter Gabriel or Paul Simon. But then, while working his shift and playing at the store, he got noticed by a vet of Stevie Wonder’s band Dennis Davis and got invited to play with legendary musician Roy Ayers in Harlem. While touring with Melvin Sparks in 2002 McLean was approached to be a sub at The Lion King in NYC. This eventually lead to McLean taking over the chair at the hit show in 2011.
From Charlie Hunter to the Lion King on Broadway, McLean has been busy touring and doing studio work as well as having a busy teaching schedule. In addition McLean has shared the stage or recorded with Jamie McLean, Greg Holden, Charlie Hunter, Victor Wooten, Anthony Hamilton, Bernie Worrell (Parlament Funkadelic), Fred Wesley (James Brown), Shelby Johnson (Prince), Melanie Gabriel (Peter Gabriel) Leni Stern, Matt Duke and many others. Carter also released his own record “GHOST BRIDGE” in 2010 where he sings and plays guitar.
Happy Birthday to Brian Frasier-Moore! Brian was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, grew up in church playing drums at the age of 5. His professional career started 1993 and continues to the present. He has performed with artists like: The Whitehead Brothers, Les Nubians, Jill Scott, Glenn Lewis, Aaliyah, Usher, Goodie Mob, Patti LaBelle, George Howard, Vivian Green, Bruce Parham(Gospel), Ernie Sanders(Gospel), Steve Middleton(Gospel), Vikter Duplaix, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Billy Paul, Bunny Sigler,Teddy Pendergrass, James Poyser, Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Ciara, Eric Benet, Ginuine, Toni Braxton, Keny "Babyface" Edmonds, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Timbaland, Queen Latifah. More of his recording credits can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Gig Alerts
Friend of the show, Jeffrey Barudin, has posted new job openings on his website for teaching and performance.
The Jazz Foundation of America has their spring gala event on May 21st at 8pm at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center. The star-filled and soulful program includes 10-time Grammy winner Norah Jones, (JFA 2026 Dr. Billy Taylor Humanitarian Award honoree); living legends Buster Williams and Gary Bartz, recipients of the 2026 Jazz Legacies Fellowship; and JFA Artistic Director Steve Jordan, with more performers to be announced. Friends of the show, Stefon Harris, Juan Diego Villalobos, Sammy Figueroa, and Marcos Torres will all be performing.
Friend of the show, Adam Hanson, will be performing at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on Saturday May 16th at 9.30pm. Damon will be playing percussion with him.
Educational Spotlight
This week’s reminders are for the opening of PASIC 2026 registration Friday May 15th.
The remaining PAS Day of Percussion events for the Month of May are happening on the 16th in Ohio and the 30th in Ontario, CAN.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording chosen by Mateo is, “Fiesta de Plena”, performed by Viento de Agua featuring Hector “Tito” Matos.
Music News
Empty seats on venue maps show that demand for concert tickets can’t keep up with the price, but artists continue to blame logistics and timing. Is this a blip or is something more serious brewing? -Article
The band, Los Campesinos!, brreaks down what it actually costs to tour North America. -Article
Shout-out to the 2026 Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame inductees. Including friend of the show, Giovanni Hidalgo.
Matthew “Mateo” Gonzalez Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Nadie Me Quita Lo Bailao” by Kinto Zonó, from the album, ‘Nadie Me Quita Lo Bailao’.
The interview starts with sorting out Mateo’s many names
Shout-out to Marcos Lopez and Juan Gerena.
Mateo is the musical director for Los Planeros de la 21.
Mateo gives a history of the organization and what they provide to the community.
Mateo mentions the upcoming tour and recent album.
Shout-out to Mateo’s grandfather, Benny Ayala.
Mateo talks about the upcoming concert, Las Fiestas de Cruz: 40th aniversario
Damon brings up the Tito Matos Fest.
Damon mentions the Bad Bunny halftime show with the pleneros.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Norka Hernandez Nadal and Mateo’s other group Kinto Zonó.
Mateo explains the parts of the rhythm Plena and then Bomba.
Mateo talks about the coordination and choreography between the drumming and the dancing.
Mateo has danced with the group Danza Fiesta.
Mateo talks about attending the boys and girls harbor music conservatory.
Shout-out to (the late) Johnny Almendra, George Delgado, Mauricio Herrera, Louis Bauzó, Ramon Rodriguez and others from that institution.
Shout-out to the All City Ensemble led by Alberto Toro and Steven Oquendo.
Shout-out to Julia Gutierrez-Rivera and the Mind Builders program.
Shout-out to Marcos Lopez and Camilo Molina who helped push folkloric Puerto Rican instruments being made.
Mateo mentions the book by friend of the show (Wilson) "Chembo" Corniel and Victor Rendon. Mateo also mentions the book by Jesus Cepeda to help get started.
He also mentions some organizations like: Aguacero in San Francisco, Taller Bombalele by Denise Solis also in the bay area, The Escuela de Bomba y Plena by Tata Cepeda in Florida and P.R., and La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón in Chicago by Ivelisse “Bombera de Corazón” Díaz. There is possibly a group in Texas called Taller Bombula, and one in Utah named Bomba Marilé. In Puerto Rico, stop by La Goyco!
Mateo attended Boricua College and studied business administration.
Mateo talks about the important lessons he learned getting a business degree. He also mentions some of the things a band leader has to know from insurance to invoices to contracts and more.
Damon and Mateo talk about having a place for important documents and templates to riders and photos to stage plots and more.
Mateo stresses copyrights as well as incorporation, LLCs, and S-Corps (talk to your accountant).
Mateo talks about how Los Plenereos de la 21 got its name along with other groups.
Mateo picks the iconic recording for the week.
Mateo shouts out some of his mentors and family (some previously mentioned) and friend of the show Anthony Carrillo.
Mateo uses Toca Percussion and Soultone Cymbals.
You can follow Mateo on Facebook, Instagram, and the Los Pleneros de la 21 website. You can also follow his band, Kinto Zonó.
Damon mentions Grammy submission deadlines.
The song leading out of the interview is, “Yo Soy la Plena” by Los Pleneros de la 21 from the ‘Por La Plena Y Otros Asuntos’ album.
