We sit in Larry’s office at the University of Akron and talk about his life in percussion and exposing students to the music of Trinidad and Tobago for the last 40 years. 

Mike and I sit in his teaching studio at Kansas University and talk life, studying percussion, teaching percussion, and I learn the Kansas was a former British colony (not true)

Richard Preston is the Author of The Hot Zone, Panic in Level 4, The Wild Trees, and The Demon in the Freezer.  His work about contagions and emergent viruses is fascinating.  We sit in his studio and discuss his current work about the Ebola virus.

We sit in Joan’s kitchen and chat about her life as a music educator and she shares some great early stories about HER experience teaching the 5th grade Josh Quillen.  She’s one of my heroes.

Matt and I sit in the panyard at the University of Akron percussion studio (my undergrad) and chat teaching, freelancing, life, and our good friend Cliff Alexis.

Brooks and I chat over Skype about his compositional work and approach to being an artist as well as his time working in the belly of the beast w/ So Percussion

My mom and I sit in the basement of my mom’s house where I grew up and chew the fat on what it was like to live with someone who had Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).  She’s a beast, and so was my dad, and I love her, and him.  You will too.  

This is a story about a couple who’s life got turned upside down and they fought like hell.  The tale ends, or currently sits, I should say, in a way you’d never expect, but it will make you want to get up and cheer.  

Take a listen.  The only trigger warning is this:  You will get the truth.  If you’re ok with the truth, then come on in with us, and I’ll bet you’ll think differently about something when we’re done.  Love you mom.  

http://www.alsa.org

Jenise is a translator living in Japan who also does great video work. We talk politics, advocacy around downs sydrome, and driving her car into the living as a 15 year old.

We sit in Dan’s office and talk coding, Norwegian fiddle music, and his new bitKlavier app.

Dan and I sit in in the back area of the restaurant he helps to run called District Social and chat about drinks of the world.  This is a co-release for his brand new podcast called Fancy Drunks.  Enjoy!

Todd and I waste 45 minutes or so talking about our favorite times on stage and how to talk about hard music with audiences.  It was a great way to waste sometime on instagram live.

We sit in my hotel room in New London, CT before a Radicals in Miniature show and chat stage managing and Wikipedia

Missy and I sit in her kitchen and talk life as a composer and advocating for females in the field.  She called it affirmative “action for the young.”  I like that phrase.  I want that on a shirt, please. www.missymazzoli.com.

Todd and waste our 2nd hour.

Casey teaches percussion at James Madison University and possess two of the fastest hands on the planet Earth.  Look him up! www.caseycangelosi.com

Michael and I chat over Skype about life as a percussionist, conga and bata player, and master teacher (my words, not his).  He’s someone who is a big reason I’m doing what I’m doing.  What he taught me about Cuban music (ie. the WAY he learned and approaches it) is how I approach Trinidadian steel drumming.  He’s a good man and someone you should talk to if you can.  You won’t regret it.

Jacqueline and I sit in her kitchen and talk life and being a professional baker in New York City. She’s a former student of mine from NYU and I couldn’t be prouder of the work she’s doing. www.vauclusenyc.com

Wally was in Australia.  I was in New York.  We chat about life and composing and using personal struggle as the catalyst for work.  Wally is one of my favorite people in the world.  He always has cookies.

Vicious Children, by Wally Gunn, performed by Mobius Percussion, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEK08ddre9Q

Wally Gunn - Can You Hear Me (Part I), performed by Passepartout Duo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQJSZMLWQKg

Gil and I sit in his living room and talk about life as a pianist and dealing with self-doubt as an artist and student. He’s a world-renowned concert pianist, accompanists, collaborator, and soloist.

He’s also a good man, and someone I thoroughly enjoy talking to about pretty much anything he wants to talk about.

Olivier Messiaen Amour oiseau detoile—w/ Dawn Upshaw, voice

Charles Ives—Songs My Mother Taught me—w/ Jan DeGaetan

Michael is the author of the book, “Our Band Could Be Your Life”.  It’s changed the lives of many artists including Dan Deacon.  We sit in the So studio and talk about his work with Nirvana and working with artists.