Broadway Drumming 101

In this episode, we discuss: * How he met Cyndi Lauper and got the drum chair at Kinky Boots. * What he looks for in new subs. * What it was like at Pretty Woman. * How he landed the gig at Diana The Musical. * Why he memorizes each show he plays. Sammy Merendino is one of NYC's top drummers. He is currently performing at Diana a True Musical Story on Broadway at the Longacre Theater. He has recor...

I apologize for going so deep into the Cameo story in this episode; the music of Cameo had such a profound impact on my life and my drumming. It’s all part of the story of why I play the shows I play and how I play them. Sammy’s drum programming on the mid-’80’s Cameo records was stellar and set a high bar for drum programming from that point forward. In this episode, we discuss: * Growing up in A...

This is part TWO of my interview with Joe Choroscewski. In today’s chat, we discuss: * Effective ways to contact drummers who are working on Broadway musicals. * Getting the opportunity to sub for Tommy Igoe at The Lion King. * Subbing at Avenue Q on Broadway and securing the off-Broadway chair. * His experience with Heart and Lights at Radio City. * How he landed the chair at The 2021 Radio City...

In part one of my conversation with Joe, we discuss: * His time at the University Of North Texas.  * Working on cruise ships.  * Playing his first NYC production in an off-off-Broadway show. * Being immediately DESIGNATED on his first Broadway opportunity subbing on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. * The difference between being ‘designated’ and ‘approved’ as a sub. * Methods to contact drummers if you wa...

This is part two of my podcast that features Ray Marchica. He is a graduate of Brooklyn College, where he studied percussion with Morris Lang of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Performance. He’s been an in-demand player in New York for more than 25 years, appearing on countless sessions, Broadway productions, and TV shows. One of the most dive...

This podcast features Ray Marchica. He is a graduate of Brooklyn College, where he studied percussion with Morris Lang of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Performance. He’s been an in-demand player in New York for more than 25 years, appearing on countless sessions, Broadway productions, and TV shows. One of the most diverse freelance drummers...

In this episode, we discuss his experience programming early drum machines, landing shows like Seussical, Seussical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Lennon, and I learn why the musical King Kong was so difficult for him to play. We also talk about his experience subbing and sight-reading a show in front of a Broadway audience because the drummer (who had NO subs to count on) couldn’t make the show one n...

Warren Odze is a Broadway veteran. He’s performed in Broadway shows such as: * The Life * Civil War * Kat and the Kings * Seussical * Thoroughly Modern Millie * Lennon * Come Fly Away * The Wedding Singer * Priscilla * Rocky * An American In Paris * Charlie and the Chocolate Factory * King Kong In this episode, we talk about his beginnings, why seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan show was such a...

Sean McDaniel  - I feel he’s one of the most versatile musicians playing on Broadway shows. As a substitute on Broadway, he has performed in 11 different shows at one time. Sean has performed in 20 Broadway shows including  Frozen ,  The Book Of Mormon , and  Spamalot .  He helped develop many other musicals, including  Hamilton .  He has toured the country and played TV appearances with American...

This is a continuation of our conversation from part one. You can listen to that HERE : In this episode, we discuss: * How he originated the drum books and recorded the cast albums for Wicked, and Tarzan. * What it was like working with Elton John and Phil Collins. * Playing with the drumming legend Buddy Williams at Motown The Musical * His next show playing the percussion book for Mrs. Doubtfire...

In this episode, Gary and I discuss: * Why he chose Hartt School Of Music * Studying with Gary Chester and his advice on why you should never leave town for more than four weeks. * His experience touring for nine years straight playing musicals. * Why it was so terrifying subbing his first show at The King And I on Broadway. * How he landed the drum chair for Aida. Originally from the suburbs of N...

SHANNON FORD grew up in Washington DC playing rock, jazz, blues, and country. He has performed and recorded with various artists in NY, Nashville, and LA, including Paul Simon, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Phoebe Snow, Lou Christie, Kenny Rogers, Roger Miller, Danny Gatton, and many others. Shannon has spent the last 25 years working on Broadway productions such as Next To Normal, Chaplin,...

In part two of my chat with Matt Vander Ende, he tells me about: * Some of the drumming injuries he had over the years and how he managed to deal with them. * What are the reasons why Wicked is so difficult to play. * Taking over for the drummer who originated the book and how he dealt with the politics in the pit. * How he keeps things fresh after playing the same thing for so many years. * Playi...

On this podcast, I interview Matt Vander Ende - the drummer for the Broadway musical Wicked. We discuss his classical, big band, and metal influences and how they helped him transition to playing a complex musical like Wicked. Show Notes: Website:  https://www.mattvanderende.com Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical  Ain't Too Proud . He earned a Bachelor of Business Administra...

In PART TWO of my interview with Q. Robinson, we discuss his love for musical theater, how he prepared to sub for Ain’t Too Proud, and how he landed the gig to be the touring drummer for the first national tour of the show. Show Notes: Website: https://www.iamqrobinson.com Tour: https://www.ainttooproudmusical.com Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical  Ain't Too Proud . He earn...

On this podcast, I interview Quinton Robinson. He is the touring drummer for Ain’t Too Proud - The Life And Times Of The Temptations. You’ll hear his journey from his beginnings in the Miami area to settling in Atlanta. We’ll discuss how he made connections through networking, his musical and drumming influences and how his love for theater enabled him to secure a position as the drummer for the f...

This is part two of my conversation with Damien Bassman. We talk about the musicals If/Then, Spongebob Squarepants, and his latest show, Jagged Little Pill. Look for more on my Broadway Drumming Youtube Channel ! Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical  Ain't Too Proud . He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year v...

Drummer/percussionist Damien Bassman is currently the drummer for the Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill . Originally from Fairfax, Virginia, he received his BM from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a MM and Performer's Residency Certificate from Carnegie Mellon University. He also earned an Advanced Performer's Certificate from The Juilliard School.   He was a featured drumset soloist with t...

This is part TWO of my conversation with Bill Lanham. We discuss things drummers should never do in a broadway pit and what drummers should ALWAYS do in a Broadway pit. Bill has a lot of great things to say in this episode. Check it out! Bill Lanham has worked with Lesley Gore, Melba Moore, Deborah Gibson, Fantasia, Eartha Kitt, and Ricky Martin. He’s conducted clinics at Universities and Educatio...

Today’s Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast features Bill Lanham. Bill has worked with Lesley Gore, Melba Moore, Deborah Gibson, Fantasia, Eartha Kitt, and Ricky Martin. He’s conducted clinics at Universities and Educational Percussion conventions and on Broadway, he has held the percussion chair at “Wonderland” and “Jekyll and Hyde” and the drum chair at “Les Miserables”, “South Pacific”, “Evita”, and...