#501 David Stanoch- Drummer, Educator, Author, and More!
This week’s guest is David Stanoch! David has drummed professionally since age 12. A student of masters Elliot Fine, Alan Dawson, Max Roach, Jeff Hamilton, Chad Wackerman, Ignacio Berroa, and others, he has built an eclectic musical reputation performing with artists from the worlds of jazz, rock, R&B, Broadway, motion picture and television including the Airmen of Note, Jackson Browne, Hiram Bullock, Charo, George Clinton, Sheryl Crow, Richard Davis, Herb Ellis, Robert Goulet, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Scott Henderson, Freedy Johnston, Shirley Jones, Stanley Jordan, Shari Lewis, Jack McDuff, the Minnesota Orchestra, Keb’ Mo, New Kids On The Block, Bob Newhart, Christine Ohlman, Regis Philbin, Bernard Purdie, Bonnie Raitt, Walfredo de Los Reyes, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Danny Seraphine, Doc Severinsen, Ed Shaughnessy, Martin Short, Ben Sidran, Jab’o Starks, Clyde Stubblefield, Timbuk 3, Butch Vig, Fred Wesley, and The Supremes’ Mary Wilson. He is currently musical director for Emmy-winner, Shaun Johnson’s Big Band Experience.
David served on the faculty of McNally Smith College of Music for 27 years and has guest-taught at the Berklee College of Music. He regularly gives clinics and masterclasses around North America including NAMM, PASIC and KoSA events. David is an advisor to the Percussive Arts Society Drumset Committee, and Drumset Editor for the PAS Percussive Notes magazine. David is member of the Modern Drummer, Remo, and Vic Firth Educational Teams and was presented the Legacy in Education Award by the YAMAHA Corporation of America in 2018. In 2020, he was one of four renowned drummers selected by the NAMM Foundation’s Percussion Marketing Council to participate in their 25th Anniversary Lesson With a Master Contest.
David has authored Mastering the Tables of Time (“#1 Edu Book,” Modern Drummer 2009 Readers Poll), co-authored The 2 in 1 Drummer (2014 Modern Drummer & DRUM! Magazine Edu Book Nominee), both available in print from Alfred Music Publishing. Mastering the Tables of Time is also available digitally from Hudson Music and was recently named one of their 10 best selling titles of 2020. David was also “Drumming History and Analysis Consultant” for Jim Berkenstadt’s book, The Beatle Who Vanished~The Unsolved Mystery of Jimmie Nicol, currently being made into a major motion picture.
David proudly endorses the premier percussion products made by Yamaha, Paiste, Remo, Vic Firth, Latin Percussion and Prologix.
Happy Birthday!
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 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 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 Jenny Klukken! Jenny is a classically trained percussionist, creative composer, improviser, musical storyteller and an innovative voice for the modern marimba. She primarily performs her own compositions that showcase her virtuosity on the marimba, while appealing to wide ranges of listeners through singable melodies, addictive grooves, and playful improvisation. Jenny takes the marimba out of the modern-classical musical setting it usually dwells in and brings it to the wider world music.
Jenny's draws inspiration from all over the world; Spain, Latin America, and American folk music, all while weaving a common thread of jazz and freeplay. Her compositions are inspired by her life of as a curious marimbist, traveling and studying abroad, as well as balancing her life as a mother and artist. Jenny shares her stories with audiences for a performance of musical intimacy.
In the Twin Cities where she lives, Jenny has developed a reputation as a stunning performer with a highly unique point ofview. Her creative vision has received numerous grants from organizations like Minnesota Public Radio, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, MacPhail Center for Music, and the Jerome Foundation.
Gig Alerts
If you are interested in performing at the forthcoming NAMM show in Anaheim, CA January 2027, you have to submit by September 16th 2026. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT.
The BBQ Blues Fest is happening in Harlem, NYC on August 15th from 1-9pm at Pier 76.
Friend of the show, Kristen Klehr is hiring a part time manager at the San Fransisco Conservatory of Music.
Damon will be out on the road with Ziggy Marley (and Govt Mule) this fall.
Educational Spotlight
You can travel to West Africa with friend of the show Weedie Braimah (Episode #46 and Episode #140) this winter.
The first round of PASIC Artists have been announced.
They have also announced the evening concert performers.
Make sure you renew your PAS membership (or initiate it) as well as reserve your hotel room.. Badge prices go up in September.
Iconic Recording
David chose "Matrix” by Chick Corea, performed by Ignacio Berroa from his album, ‘Codes’.
Music News
Unfortunately, the L.A. Jazz Festival has been cancelled last minute. -Article
An A.I. company has stolen a bunch of a drummer’s content without permission. You can help him out. Check the video below.
There’s also a a massive AI slop music scam on Spotify that affected hundreds of artists. Check out this video below.
If you want to help people affected in Puerto Rico with water, you can trust these companies:
Project PR Relief - Together Puerto Rico - Ridge to Reefs - Wells of Life
Drummer John Paris had a medical emergency and Earth, Wind, and Fire had to cancel their show last min. Someone set up a GoFundMe page. The donations are intended to assist Kathy with the unexpected travel, lodging, meals, transportation, lost income, and other day-to-day expenses that come with remaining in San Francisco while John recovers. Whether you choose to donate, share, or simply pray, we are deeply grateful for your support.
The four things Damon mentioned when touring to protect yourself are:
You can take heavy items out of the van/trailer and put them up against your door if you feel like the lodging is unsafe.
You can back the van/trailer up against a wall so no one can get into it or steal it (as well as park under lights and cameras).
Airtags in everything (or similar gps tracking devices).
Get Musical Instrument insurance like MusicPro Insurance or Clarion Musical Instrument Insurance.
David Stanoch Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Ritual” by Triplicate from the album, ‘Day & Age’.
David starts the interview talking about the history of his name and his nickname “The Knock”.
He mentions some of his college friends. Including friend of the show Wally Reyes.
Damon brings up cheese curds and The Old Fashioned.
David and Damon talk about Minneapolis funk. He talks about encounters with Prince, The Human League, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis.
David has lived in Los Angeles, Madison (WI), and Minneapolis.
David talks about his son Louis and Cornbread Harris.
Shout-out to drummer Michael Bland.
David talks about Clyde Stubblefield.
David talks about studying with Max Roach and Alan Dawson.
David mentions his ex-wife Katy and the musicians that played with her.
He mentions advice from Jim Keltner and Andy Newmark.
David talks about that as well as using Meta Glasses for teaching.
David mentions his other son Max as well.
Damon mentions drum programming and references 777-9311.
Shout-out to David Garabaldi.
David mentions some of his students from McNally Smith College of Music.
David mentions David’s Book MASTERING THE TABLES OF TIME.
David used 4 Way Coordination growing up by his teacher Elliot Fine.
Shout-out to Marv Dahlgren.
David built his teaching studio after McNally closed permanently.
Shout-out to Dom Famularo for helping David get his studio going.
Damon mentions the Blackmagic ATEM Mini.
Shout-out to the late Ndugu Chancler and his book, Pocket Change.
Dave talks about going to L.A. and studying with Jeff Hamilton and Chad Wackerman.
Dave talks about leaving L.A. and playing on a cruise ship for a while.
Dave talks about learning Afro-Cuban music. Shout-out to Eric Kamau Gravatt.
He also studied with Ignacio Berroa.
Dave talks about friend of the show Walfredo de los Reyes’ book The 2 in 1 Drummer.
Dave talks about helping the next generation.
Damon and Dave talk about note quality as well as length (the attack and release too).
Dave talks about playing to the room, but keeping the intensity.
Dave mentions Steve Gadd playing with Pedrito Martinez at PASIC.
Dave picks the iconic recording for the week.
Dave uses Paiste Cymbals, Yamaha Drums, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Remo Drumheads, Prologix Percussion Pads, and Latin Percussion Instruments,
Shout-out to Elliot Fine, Marv Dahlgren, Jeff Hamilton, Chad Wackerman, Max Roach, Alan Dawson, Zakir Hussein, Clyde Stubblefield, Chuck Emmeck, Phil Hey, Greg Marsh, Michael Weiss, and Carl Allen.
You can follow Dave on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is, “Move” by Triplicate from the album, ‘Day & Age.’
