Broadway Drumming 101

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this episode, I talk with Michael Manasseh , the drummer for the current Hadestown national tour. Michael shares his unique path from studying economics at Columbia University to landing gigs on Broadway tours, and how his early training shaped the versatile musician he is t...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The next episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast features a great conversation with Michael Manasse h, drummer and percussionist for the most recent North American tour of Hadestown . Michael’s musical journey started at the age of five and has taken him through an impress...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Originally posted November 2021 Paul Pizzuti has over fifty years of experience playing shows, making him one of the most seasoned and respected drummers on Broadway. He’s a musician everyone should listen to when it comes to understanding what it takes to build and sustain a s...

The new Broadway Drumming 101 merch just dropped, and it’s made for musicians who show up, do the work, and take pride in what they do. Get yours now at www.signaturebrandworks.com . This isn’t the kind of merch that sits around. The last time, wesold out kinda quickly, so get yours now or you’ll be wishing you did. And if you haven’t already, grab the free PDF: “20 Questions Every Drummer Should...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this video episode, I sit down with drummer and Hawaii native Pili Fronda—and fair warning: you might learn more about Hawaiian history, food, geography, and culture than you expected. And I’m not mad about it…because I love Hawaii as much as Pili does. What started as a con...

In this episode, I sit down with drummer and Hawaii native Pili Fronda , and fair warning: you might learn more about Hawaiian history, food, geography, and culture than you bargained for. And I’m not mad about it…because I love Hawaii as much as Pili does. This conversation might’ve started out about drums, but before we even hit the 10-minute mark, we were deep in the mountains of Maui, eating p...

Pili Fonda—drummer for the first national tour of Mrs. Doubtfire —shares the key to what membership really means in this business. Catch it this Saturday, August 2. If you’re trying to build a real career in musical theater, this is something you need to hear. While you’re at it, get on the email list for my book Broadway Bound and Beyond at: http://broadwayboundbook.com You’ll get early access, b...

What does it really take to succeed on the road with a Broadway tour? It’s not just about chops or time feel; it’s about trust, vibe, and being the kind of person people want to work with day in and day out. In this episode, dropping Saturday, August 2nd , we talk about the reality of touring life and the often-overlooked human qualities that make all the difference. Tune in for insights that go b...

Originally released in 2021, this episode is a masterclass in what it really takes to make it on Broadway and beyond. Jake Goldbas was at the time, the drummer for Dear Evan Hansen . He shares his incredible journey from growing up in Connecticut to playing for some of the biggest names in music, including Aretha Franklin, Patti Austin, and The O’Jays. In this conversation, we talk about: * How a...

What does it take to go from high school marching band to playing drums for major Broadway tours? Meet Jaren Angud , a versatile percussionist whose journey has taken him from ska cover bands in garages to international stages with Disney and beyond. In this episode, Jaren and I dive deep into his story: * How a high school French horn mishap led him to drums * Playing in ska and punk bands before...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. We’re closing in on 100 interviews here at Broadway Drumming 101, and we’re just getting started. We’ve got a great lineup ahead. Upcoming episodes include conversations with: * Pili Fronda * Michael Manesseh * Matthew Friedman * Joe Bergamini * Tom Jorgensen * Trevor Holder We...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. We’re closing in on 100 interviews here at Broadway Drumming 101, and we’re just getting started. We’ve got a great lineup ahead. Upcoming episodes include conversations with: * Pili Fronda * Michael Manesseh * Matthew Friedman * Joe Bergamini * Tom Jorgensen * Trevor Holder We...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Originally released: October 2021 In this classic episode, I talk with Dennis Arcano —an all-around force in the musical theater world: Educator / Audio Engineer / Synth & Drum Programmer / Composer . He's subbed on shows like Death Becomes Her , tick, tick...BOOM! , Altar Boyz...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this episode, Clayton chats with drummer Patrick Phelan IV , the current touring drummer for the Shucked First National Tour. Patrick shares how a random hangout in NYC led to his first Broadway subbing opportunity and how he's since built a career full of friendship, groove...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this episode, Clayton chats with drummer Patrick Phelan IV , the current touring drummer for the Shucked First National Tour. Patrick shares how a random hangout in NYC led to his first Broadway subbing opportunity and how he's since built a career full of friendship, groove...

What happens when you’re brand new to NYC, hanging out between shows, and you meet someone who might change your life? That’s exactly what happened to drummer Patrick Phalen. In this candid clip, Patrick shares how a simple hangout with Shannon Ford and Joshua Samuels , who were both playing Beetlejuice, introduced him to Emma Ford , who later offered him the chance to sub on Shucked . Fast forwar...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this classic episode of Broadway Drumming 101 , I chat with the multi-talented percussionist Joshua Mark Samuels , whose Broadway journey spans from singing and dancing as a child in California to holding down chairs in some of the biggest shows on Broadway and Radio City. W...

NEW VIDEO: Frank Zambrano’s Road to Kimberly Akimbo Broadway Drumming 101 – The Podcast Frank Zambrano didn’t take the typical route to landing a Broadway tour—but that’s what makes his journey so inspiring. In this episode, Frank shares what it really takes to break in and stay in: * Why stepping outside the musical theater bubble helped him grow * How the Broadway Percussion Seminar opened his e...

Frank Zambrano didn’t take the traditional path to a Broadway tour, but that’s exactly what makes his journey so inspiring. In this episode, Frank shares: * Why his biggest advice is to get out of the musical theater bubble * The pivotal role the Broadway Percussion Seminar played in his development * A quote from Clint de Ganon that changed his mindset forever * How his second chance to play Kimb...

Q. Robinson on the 92nd episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 Inc. podcast: Tour Life In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101, Q. Robinson shares what it’s really like on the road with a major musical. He talks about longer stays in each city, the physical and emotional toll of eight shows a week, and how the role of the drummer has shifted in modern theatre. Watch the full conversation in Episode...

Correction…This Week’s Podcast Guest Hey everyone – quick note! Sorry about the last email. I had Frank Pagano on my mind while posting about this week’s episode featuring Frank Zambrano . Both are incredible drummers who’ve been guests on Broadway Drumming 101, and I’m honored to share their stories. The title is fixed now. Thanks for rolling with it—and don’t forget to check out the latest episo...

🎧 Here’s a clip from the upcoming Broadway Drumming 101 podcast episode dropping this Saturday, June 7th ! This week’s guest is Frank Zambrano , the drummer currently touring with Kimberly Akimbo . Frank shares the high-stakes moment when things went sideways subbing his very first Broadway show, and how one mistake nearly ended it all. This is going to be a powerful and inspiring episode. Hit th...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Originally recorded in October of 2021, this conversation with Sammy Merendino is a standout. Sammy is a Broadway veteran with decades of experience under his belt and a reputation for being one of the most reliable and musical drummers in the business. In this episode, we disc...

Episode 94 — Frank Pagano: From Glen Rock to the Broadway Pit In this must-hear episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast , I sit down with legendary drummer and percussionist Frank Pagano — a true veteran of both the concert stage and the Broadway scene. Frank’s career reads like a who’s who of the music industry. He’s played with icons like Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, Al Green, and Phoeb...

🎧 Episode #94: Frank Pagano – From Glen Rock to Broadway, and Everywhere in Between In this in-depth, wide-ranging conversation, drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Frank Pagano discusses a career spanning four decades, which includes recording sessions with legends, world tours, and Broadway pit work for over a dozen shows. Key Highlights: * "You can’t practice experience—you’ve got to get it."...