Working Drummer

Peter Retzlaff is a New York City-based drummer. As a performer, Peter is equally at home in jazz, rock, funk, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean, odd meter, and New Orleans drumming styles. Peter has played with Kenny Werner, Greg Osby, Diane Schuur, Ray Vega, Maynard Ferguson, Pete McCann, Kim Bock, Loren Stillman, The BMI Big Band, The Jamie Begian Big Band, and his own group, Steeplechase r...

In this episode we have the opportunity to share the unique perspective of a group of talented black musicians who make their living in Nashville, Tennessee. They share stories of resilience and realism in an unpredictable work environment. Our guests include Keio Stroud, Derek Phillips, Jeremy Roberson, Marcus Finnie and Hubert Payne. Their respective artist gigs include Big and Rich, Chase Rice,...

With a career spanning three decades and almost 20 albums, Charlie Hunter consistently ups his game as an innovative writer and bandleader. He has worked with the likes of Norah Jones , Mos Def, John Mayer, D’Angelo and countless others. He is widely considered the authority on the seven and eight – string guitar, and continues to stun audiences with his ability to simultaneously bust out tasty ba...

In the short time he’s been in Nashville Grady Saxman has gained a solid reputation in Nashville Tennessee as a Drummer, engineer and producer. From just drum tracks and demo recordings to singles, ep’s and fully produced records, Grady’s credits include many indie artists and writers to higher profile artists like Luke Combs and Uncle Kracker. In this episode, Grady talks about:  * His path to en...

Raised in London to Brazilian parents, and described as having the perfect mix of Brazilian passion and British sensibility, Fabio’s natural feel and broad understanding of various musical styes makes him one of London’s most versatile and in demand drummer/percussionists. In 2011 Fabio graduated with a First Class Honors Degree in Music Performance and Production from the London Centre Of Contemp...

But every once in a while there’s an opportunity to discuss the business of creating the tools that we all love. And, the lessons that we all can take away from such a discussion. James Beier talks about his process, work flow and what motivated him to build a snare drum that fit his vision of what a snare could be for the working drummer. With confidence, I’d say he’s done that and more. In addit...

For more than 35 years, Dave Weckl has developed and maintained a reputation among fans, peers, and the international music community, as one of the great living drummers. His contributions to iconic music, music education, and the gear that drummers use, are many. Modern Drummer magazine has inducted Weckl into their Hall of Fame (2000) and named him “one of the 25 best drummers of all time.” He’...

Originally from Alberta, Canada, drummer Joel Stevenett spent over ten years in Nashville before his eventual move to Salt Lake City where he currently lives and works as a first call session drummer. During his years in Nashville, Joel found himself on the road with such acts as JoDee Messina, The Wilkinsons, and SHeDAISY, among others. His recording credits include the recording of Sony Playstat...

A native of Houston, Texas, drummer Jordan Rose has performed at festivals and venues throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Asia, and the Middle East. From 2012-2014 Jordan toured extensively with multi-Grammy award winner Joe Louis Walker. He now resides in Brooklyn, New York where he’s had opportunities to collaborate with Charlie Puth, Jeff Coffin, Nona Hendryx, Bakithi Kumalo, Louis Cato,...

Louis Newman was born in London England as the son of famous rock drummer Tony Newman and moved to Nashville at a very early age of two. Louis moved back to London at age fifteen to pursue a career as a session drummer before finally settling back in Nashville in his early 20’s.   Louis is the current touring drummer for country singer Gretchen Wilson. Louis’ wife Gwen Sebastian performed on The V...

Over his multi-chapter career, Steve Hass has found success on both coasts playing with Ravi Coltrane, Richard Bona, and John Scofield, and The Manhattan Transfer among others. He has recently launched a new Patreon endeavor which combines some playing-based lessons with “behind the scenes” info from gigs he’s been on over the years. In this episode, Steve talks about * How being versatile can mak...

Kari Paavola is a freelance drummer who started his career in the club scene in Helsinki, Finland. Kari studied at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles before moving to London. After two years in London, Kari joined the band Cinerama, an international touring act, and toured across US four times as well as shorter tours of Europe and UK. In addition, he did the Womack and Womack UK tours in 2006...

Our annual chat with Nick Ruffini of Drummer’s Resource happens to coincide with pretty much the weirdest and most challenging time most of us will go through. We discuss some ways freelancers can get help, the pandemic’s implications for the future of the music industry, and what we’re all using this time to focus on. HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES FOR MUSICIANS: https://www.grammy.com/musicares https:/...

Jimmy Paxson has toured, performed and/or recorded with Stevie Nicks, The Dixie Chicks, Alanis Morissette, Idina Menzel, Ben Harper, Ellen Harper, Charlie Musselwhite, Eikichi Yazawa, Edgar Winter, Ronnie Montrose, Stanley Clarke, Rod Stewart, Joe Sample, Randy Crawford, Robben Ford, Philip Sayce, Waddy Wachtel, Keiko Matsui, Sophie B. Hawkins, Sub.bionic, Lady Antebellum, Don Henley, Steve Vai, S...

Khari Parker has spent his entire life in Chicago. He began playing drums in church and became interested in jazz and fusion during his high school and college years. He left college to gig full time and hasn’t stopped since, remaining in high demand by acts spanning jazz, rock, R&B, and gospel. He gained notoriety playing with Destiny’s Child in the late 90’s and is currently the touring drummer...

Kip is the touring and recording drummer for Nashville artist Devin Dawson. Drumming for Devin allowed Kip the opportunity to work in the studio with award winning producer Jay Joyce. Kip is known throughout the drumming community for his well produced and insightful video clips on Instagram that has garnered a sizable following. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Kip Allen moved to Nashville, Tenness...

Matt Brennan is an author, musician, and researcher. His creative practice as a musician informs his teaching and research process, which also draws from historical, sociological, business, and ethical approaches to understanding music in society. At the University of Glasgow he is Director of the Interdisciplinary Music Industries Research Group (IMIRGe) and Convenor of the MSc Music Industries d...

Creighton Doane’s musical life began at a young age in a household where music formed the heart and soul of the home. A mutli-instumentalist and talented producer, Creighton has played drums and toured the world with artists like Allah Myles, Harem Scarem and sister Melanie Doane. He has and performed with some of Canada’s best-know artists in a variety of genres. Moving his talents to the studio,...

Chris Brady has been in charge of Artist Relations at Aquarian for 23 years. He also has a hand in marketing, product development, and whatever else he needs to do for the company to grow and thrive. Chris began his playing career in Southern California, a contemporary of Gregg Bissonette and others. Handpicked by Roy Burns to join Aquarian, he made the jump to the product side of the music busine...

Steve Brewster has lived and worked in Nashville as a session player for over 20 years. A native Tennessean, Steve attended MTSU on a full music scholarship and studied jazz at UT-Knoxville. He moved to Nashville in 1988, after touring early on with country artist, Janie Fricke, and CCM artist, Michael W. Smith. Shortly after moving to town, Steve was embraced by the Nashville studio community and...

Cole’s style ranges from Neo Soul to 70’s inspired yacht rock. His journey as a musician started as a drummer. Attending Georgia State University, Cole studied 5 years towards a degree in Jazz Studies. Cole quickly became a well known drummer in Atlanta, playing with artists such as The Shadowboxers, Kenny Loggins, Larkin Poe, Faye Webster, ATL Collective, and more. He has also appeared on stage w...

Wherever Neil Peart ranks in your list of drumming greats, it’s safe to say that he has influenced more drummers and musicians than just about any other drummer in modern history. The ripple effect of his passing can be felt across the drumming community in a way not experienced since Buddy or John left us. Neil not only inspired many to pickup the sticks, he made it made it cool to be smart and w...

Harold Brown is a drummer/producer from Atlanta, GA. He is originally from Savannah, GA but relocated to Atlanta in September of 2012. Harold has been playing drums professionally for over 12 years with various artists and music groups such as Phil Kaeggy, Jacob Banks, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, and Housefires among many others. Harold is currently touring with U.K. singer and songwriter Jacob B...

Matt Starr is a drummer, singer, producer, career coach and public speaker. As a drummer, Matt has built a reputation for working with some of rock’s most influential musicians including Ace Frehley (KISS), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot)and most recently alongside Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert in Mr. Big.  He has also worked with members of Guns ‘n Roses, Bon Jovi andWhitesn...

Southpaw drummer Eric Kalb is a versatile musician who enjoys playing groove based music. A devotee of R&B and Soul drumming, his improvisational aesthetic is colored by sudden bursts of rock aggression. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Eric is a multi-faceted studio and touring drummer whose “energetic and exhilarating style” (Jazz Times) keeps him in constant demand. Over the course of his twenty-ye...