Bobby is the composer of the piece for So Percussion and improvisors called Terminals. He and I talk about his life as a drummer growing up in Buffalo and then going on the road and improvising. He’s an amazing person.

I sit down with Adam and his former teacher from Oberlin to talk about some of the evolution and beginnings of our contemporary percussion field.

Jacqueline owns and runs The Party Bus Bake Shop in Manhattan. We sit and talk about running a business, in the food industry, pre and post-pandemic shutdown. She was a former student of mine making things people like more than anything I’ve ever made. I hope you enjoy this chat.

John taught at the Eastman School of Music for nearly 50 years. His program has changed the course of percussion music history for the better. I sit and listen to John talk about growing up during WWII and learning to play drums. He’s a fascinating person.

Tom is a steel drummer living in Denver, and is one of the members of Pan Ramajay. Tom’s teaching and life mentorship has been incredibly valuable to me over the years. I’m grateful to have had him on the podcast.

Sarah is an amazing composer and is one of the founders of New Amsterdam records. I’ve known Sarah since grad school at Yale, and it was nice to finally sit and chat with her.

Richard Preston is the author of The Hot Zone and Crisis in the Red Zone. We chat and he gives me a thorough update on what we know about Covid-19 at this point, and what we don’t. www.nih.gov.

Michael Rosen is the percussion professor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. I had a wonderful time chatting with him about the history of marimba repertoire as well as his love of cooking.

Hunter is a podcaster who reached out to me to chat about life and what its like to start a podcast. It was lovely to get to know him.

Daisy is an amazing singer who has been a friend of mine and So Percussion’s since I moved to NYC in 2006. She does a weekly online drone/chant class and is one of the biggest inspirations for me getting a tattoo…which I didn’t tell her. I love Daisy Press, and you will too. Chat starts around: 5:00

Chris and I talk about his life as a percussionist and music scholar and in particular his experience with the music of John Cage. chat starts at 4:40

Ray is an Alaskan State Judge and happens to be one of the world’s authorities on calypso music and the history of the steel band and Trinidad and Tobago. It’s always a good time chatting with Ray. He’s a wealth of knowledge about the West Indies. chat starts at: 2:35

Round two of the Flower Pot Solutions is off and running. We decide on a logo, march, and how to structure our business on day two. We also have a new website. chat starts at: 2:45 www.marimbaAF.com

Chris is a percussionist who lives in Wuhan China and plays full time there. We had a great time chatting about the current state of affairs in the world with musical organizations and how we’re all dealing with the world-wide pandemic.

Sean is a former student of mine from NYU who now is a cast member with Stomp. He’s kind of a comedy hero of mine and is a good person all around. chat starts at: 3:08

Andy and I continue our discussion on the history of pan from his point of view as well as talk about his current recording and sampling projects. It’s always a pleasure to chat with Andy. Chat starts at: 3:45

Mike is a percussionist who I met on Facebook because of his hilarious adaptations of classical orchestral works for diaper boxes once the quarantine hit. Mike’s great. chat begins at 2:25

Andy is a legend in the steel band community. He was the first American to arrange for a Trinidadian steel band for panorama. I’ve admired his playing and looked up to his approach to pan my whole life. It’s an honor to chat with him and hear his story. chat begins at 7:25

Matt Strauss is a percussionist who studied with the late Alan Abel, who passed away from a Covid-19 related illness. Mr. Abel was a percussionist with the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1959-1997.

Adam teaches at Western Carolina University. I’ve known him since he was as student and it was amazing to see him and chat with him and his students.