‘Love Letter’ is one of my favorite songs written by Peter Levin. I’ve played this tune with Pete on many occasions live over the years. He finally captured it on “tape” a few years ago. Today, he released it as part of his new album. I loved playing on this track and hearing the finished…
Read moreFunk Power!
I’ll never forget the feeling I had as a 6-year-old kid listening to this song. The drum fill on the intro of this tune scared the daylights out of me. The James Brown groove, the horn blasts, the rhythm guitar playing, and at the end, the chanting and screaming just blew my little mind. I…
Read moreThe First Step In Becoming A Touring Musician For A Broadway Show
A colleague asked me the other day, “What would you recommend as a first step in becoming a touring musician for a broadway show?” I had to think about that for a moment. I can only describe my experience and what I did right, and what I did wrong. From 1993 until the year 2000,…
Read moreJames “JT” Taylor of Kool And The Gang at Ain’t Too Proud
Kool And The Gang. He sang on a whole BUNCH of hit songs in the 70’s and 80’s. I was just thinking to myself a few weeks ago, Whatever happened to JT?” I looked him up online and saw he was still performing and sounding great! He’s recording new material and working with his son…
Read moreThe Groove
I NEVER liked this place. The musicians that play here are top notch but the people who run this place are way too damn aggressive. They’ve always been that way…ever since they opened. I understand the profit motive but I can’t stand the pushiness. I pay my dumb ass $5 cover, then I’m guided to…
Read moreAin’t Too Proud at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
I wasn’t at this performance. I chose to spend time with my family in Connecticut on Thanksgiving. One of my amazing drum subs, Andrew Atkinson, was there to take my place. Even though I wasn’t there physically, it is me on the recording that you are hearing. I had so much fun laying down the…
Read moreGrammy Award Nomination For Ain’t Too Proud
I just l found out my show was nominated for a Grammy. It feels great to be a part of something special. Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations Principal Soloists: Saint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope & Ephraim Sykes; Producer: Scott M. Riesett (Original Broadway Cast)
Read moreA Soul Food Musical
I have a new Broadway musical idea. I’m calling it, “Cornbread, Fish and Collard Greens – The Musical.” It will be a new smash hit show featuring the soulful sounds of Anthony Hamilton. I don’t know what the show will be about yet, but the music better sound like what we see in the video…
Read moreModern Drummer
I have been following Modern Drummer since I was a young man just learning how to play the drums. At one point in time, I owned just about every issue from 1979-1999. I kept them all in a trunk in my parents’ basement. I passed them on when I moved into my new place here…
Read moreDeep In The Swag: In Search of Ghost-Note
Robert Sput Searight and Nate Werth reflect on the creation of the new Ghost-Note record, Swagism, which debuted at # 1 on iTunes Jazz on April 20.
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