In this episode Damon and Marcos sit down with the two drummers JJ & Falcon in the middle of their fall residency at the Beacon Theater in NYC. They talk about how they navigate the situation of two drummers while also thinking like percussionists. They talk about how they navigate the business of music without the help of social media and they get into talking about other life adventures. There's also an iconic recording, some upcoming gigs and festivals and as always some music news.
Damon and Marcos travel to Bobby's place and talk to him about growing up with a family full of musicians (the Rumberitos) and playing with different artists like Tito Nieves, Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony & The Spanish Harlem Orchestra in the Latin world, but also other genres like Paul Simon, Cindi Lauper, Gov't Mule & Grover Washington Jr. There's a tribute to the late Grady Tate, music news and a product review.
This episode (for National Hug a Drummer Day), Damon and Marcos travel to Ralph's house in Brooklyn to talk about playing with Ray, Ruben, Cachao, and more. They talk about being in the movie The Mambo Kings, his travels from NYC to Puerto Rico and back. Ralph also talks about his mentors and trying to push the envelope with his playing and leading his own group. There's also some music news, and more on Puerto Rico and how to help in addition to some upcoming festivals and benefit concerts.
This episode features an interview with Jose Madera where Damon and Marcos talk to him about playing in the "Golden Era" of latin dance bands, arranging for many groups, being on over 500 recordings as well as teaching at the Boys Harbor school for almost 30 years. There's also some music news, a tribute to Tom Petty, a follow up on Puerto Rico & the NFL, tribute to Vegas, Jazz Foundation of America benefit, an iconic recording and a new product review.