Tom Lonardo
Contraption Podcast
Memphis based drummer and drum educator Tom Lonardo has a wonderful approach to drums - play fearlessly and realize the drums are a place of peace. The son of a bass player and music store owner, much of Tom's life has been devoted to music. Learn about his path to the drums, his own drum education and his thoughts on approaching the drums. Deep stuff here, I promise!
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Stanton Moore
Contraption Podcast
Whether you know him as the drummer for Galactic or other bands and projects, as a drum educator and founder of the Stanton Moore Drum Academy, as a clinician, or for his signature Crescent cymbals or his own snare drum, Stanton Moore is the drummer’s drummer. In this interview, we talk about drum education and equipment while getting wonderful tips on timing, the jazz ride pattern and a definition and demonstration of “playing in the cracks.”
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Ulysses Owens Jr.
Contraption Podcast
Ulysses Owens Jr. has firmly established his place as a drummer, drum educator and, now, author. Lauded in publications like Jazz Times, All About Jazz, and The New York Times, the Grammy Award winner's reputation is well deserved and firmly secured.
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Cindy Goldberg
Contraption Podcast
Artist, writer, musician, drummer and now filmmaker, Cindy Goldberg is getting great reception for her new feature length documentary, "Beat Keepers: Women with Rhythm." Exploring the challenges and prospects women face in the drum community. Cindy was kind enough to talk with us about her film, her path to drums, and her own empowering ideas for new and returning drummers.
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Sarah Thawer
Contraption Podcast
Toronto-based drummer, Sarah Thawer, brings Indian rhythms infused with her incredible talent and energy, to numerous stage and recording projects. Sarah studied jazz and world music at York University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She received the Oscar Peterson Scholarship, the highest award given by York. For all her academic achievement, Sarah, like so many of the drummer’s we’ve talked with this first season, started playing at a very young age
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Tony TC Coleman
Contraption Podcast
He's the drummer for the best of the blues, from Albert Collins to Albert King to B.B. King. Tony TC Coleman talks about how he came to appreciate the blues and how aspiring drummers need to approach playing it. A self-confessed natural, Tony has mastered the "less is more" style, placing groove above all and making it pay off in a wonderful career that continues to keep him one of the busiest blues drummers around. A living legend in a no holds barred interview!
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Tony Bartone
Contraption Podcast
Tony Bartone has been playing drums most of his life. His early training in rudiments definitely paid off as he grew to become a working professional with some pretty high profile gigs, including a year on the set of Everyday with Joan Lunden. Today, Tony teaches a wide variety of students in his home state of New Jersey; he’s also an accomplished piano player and vocalist who gigs weekly. Hear Tony discuss his path to drums, his professional experience, and his advice to new and returning drummers.
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David Anderson
Contraption Podcast
Inspired by his brother, the late William Salter -- a professional drummer twenty years his senior -- David Anderson made it out to LA, where he is still flourishing as a working drummer and drum educator since the 1990s. David has toured and recorded with incredible musicians, including Eddie Harris, Dionne Warwick, Tom Scott, Hubert Laws, Chaka Khan, and Larry Carlton. Recently, David talked with us about his history, work with and approach to drums.
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Craig Pilo
Contraption Podcast
Drummer/drum educator Craig Pilo, a graduate of the famed UNT drum program, has been a working LA musician since 1996. After working with jazz great Maynard Ferguson, he's also performed with Pat Boone, Edgar Winter and was on tour for several years with Frankie Valli. Craig continues to work with the group "Little Fish," as well as "Player," and currently keeps a busy schedule recording and teaching, including a faculty position with the California School of Music.
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Jeremy Bout
Contraption Podcast
Filmmaker Jeremy Bout, founder of Edge Factor, talks with us about his incredible film, "Masters of Resonance," which tells the story of John Good of DW drums and the journey of a centuries old log from river to rock stage. But it's not just about building a great DW kit for famed drummer Neil Peart, but an inspiring story of following one’s passion, whether that be drumming, drum making, or any other thing you call your own.
info_outlineThere are few musicians who, although strongly associated with a particular instrument, transcend that instrument to exhibit an overall musicality. It’s not about technique, proficiency or virtuosity -- It’s about serving the song as the music pours out of every pore of his or her body.
Jaco Pastorious was such a musician – the man who changed the role of the bass and the way it’s played. Tied to that iconic sunburst Fender jazz that he personally defretted, Jaco went beyond the bass – he was the music.
Johnny Vidacovich, today’s guest on Contraption, is that same kind of musician.An incredible drummer in the tradition of New Orleans hitters like Zigaboo, Herlin Riley and Stanton Moore, Johnny goes beyond the drums to infuse every set and song he plays with that rare musicality that touches those he plays with and those he plays for.
Johnny credits growing up in New Orleans and hearing the sounds and beats of the bands that passed his modest childhood home. It began, he says, during his infancy, before he could walk or read. It’s part of his DNA – part of his very soul.
You’d think someone as gifted and talented as Johnny Vidacovich had set out his whole life to be a working musician, but he was working as a drummer without really thinking about it as a career – that was until his daughter was born when he was 31.
The truth of the matter is Johnny has worked hard – very hard – for his legendary reputation. Taking lessons with New Orleans drummer Charlie Suchor after getting his first drum kit when he was twelve, that eventually led him to a life changing offer as a high schooler…
It should be noted that Johnny was happy to talk with us – he loves to share his story and his ideas related to playing – to be a musician. So all I can say is I’m humbled and honored and so appreciative to have had this time with Johnny to share with all of you.