Working Drummer

Gustavo Cortiñas was born and raised in Mexico City. His interest in drumming and jazz took him to Loyola University in New Orleans where he studied with Johnny Vidacovich, and on to Northwestern University in Chicago, where he has lived and worked since. His sixth album as a leader is entitled "The Drum Also Sings."

In this episode, Gustavo talks about:

Growing up in Mexico City, the son of two educators, and being surrounded by all kinds of music

Being inspired by the individuality of jazz heroes who came through Mexico City, from Dave Weckl to Dave King to Brian Blade

How circumstances intervened to steer hims path toward both New Orleans and Chicago

The immediacy and accessibility of seeing and hearing jazz drummers in an intimate setting

“The immigrant blessing”

His new record being “conceived during a period of personal and collective difficulty”

The ancestral connection between drums and voice

Gustavo’s new record

Here's our Patreon

Here's our Youtube

Here's our Homepage
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chase Adam's musical journey started when he was just three years old, collaborating with his father Thurman in the field of music. He spent many years performing in church and later pursued music education at school, specializing in various genres like concert, symphonic, jazz, and marching percussion. Throughout his early years, he played a significant role in establishing the Indianapolis Colts Drumline and the Indiana Pacers "High Octane" Drumline, while also sharing his expertise with local high school drumlines and offering private lessons. As a skilled freelance drummer living in Nashville with his wife and son, he divides his time between touring with The Frontmen, entertaining audiences at local clubs, and making valuable contributions to recording sessions.

In this episode, Chase talks about:

What and how to practice as a professional

Recording on his first “master session”

Using drum corp experience in a musical way on the kit

Staying sane on the road

Drumming with The Frontmen

Grooving and making music without the click

Confidence and authority behind the kit

Playing Lower Broadway in Nashville

Dealing with a family tragedy

Home studio work

⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Draper is a drummer, author, and performance coach based in London. After coming up on the city's Jazz and Fusion scene as the drummer in the house band at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Chris began getting opportunities in musical theatre, culminating in landing the drum chair on the West End production of Hamilton.

His new book, "The Inner Athlete: A Musician's Guide to Performance Conditioning," is the result of what Chris learned through rehabilitation after sustaining two traumatic brain injuries and subsequently getting certified as a personal trainer.

In this episode, Chris talks about:

No longer having a home studio, and not missing it

How a chance meeting at a pub led to his musical theatre career

Playing in the house band at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London

How some college programs are becoming more open to commercial music, especially when it comes to drums

The traumatic brain injuries and subsequent recovery that inspired him to write “The Inner Athlete”

What regulation is, physiologically, and different ways to do it

The power of breath work 

Why conventional weight training and athletic conditioning doesn’t work best for musicians

Here's our Patreon

Here's our Youtube

Here's our Homepage
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reuben Spyker is a master technician who has built his career as an educator, artist, and innovative drummer.  Reuben has developed teaching programs that emphasize efficient playing, critical observation, and creativity.  Most recently, Reuben has combined his obsession with detail and interest in art to create an original signature snare drum with the help of master snare builder Ronn Dunnett.  

In this episode, Reuben talks about:

    The many facets of Reubens career

    Using curiosity as inspiration

    Finding joy in things like drawing, building things and Davinci

    Working closely with Ronn Dunnett to build a custom snare drum

    The importance of critiquing yourself

    The power of focus

    Reuben’s different teaching courses

⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross McReynolds has toured and recorded with artists such as Katie Pruitt, Maia Sharp, Juan Solorzano, The Muddy Magnolias, Dynamo, Cory Wong, Kelsey Waldon, Caleb Groh, Jess Nolan and many more. He attended Belmont University in Nashville and lived and worked there for many years after, but recently made the move to LA.

In this episode, Ross talks about:

Moving from Nashville to LA because of a general need for change

Going crazy if he spends too long in the studio without connecting with an audience

His experience at Belmont University in Nashville 

Realizing the typical Nashville music career and some of Nashville’s musical values didn’t agree with him

How patience can turn seemingly difficult decisions into no-brainers

“The passivity of a streaming service”

How synthesizers and other electronic instruments he like using still feel physical and tangible and analogue 

Here's our Patreon

Here's our Youtube

Here's our Homepage
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices