Pete's Percussion Podcast - Pete Zambito

Pete Zambito
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

A place for long form talk with percussionists and other compelling people.

  1. 11h ago

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 506 - Reed Puleo

    Episode 506 - Reed Puleo Pete's Percussion Podcast Denver-based percussionist and educator Reed Puleo stops by to talk about establishing himself in the Denver area and his Fulbright Award to study and work in Austria (02:20), growing up in New Jersey, family members in the arts, his early start in percussion ensemble and percussion performance, and his marching band experiences (34:25), attending Boston Conservatory (MA) for undergrad (47:35), living and studying in Amsterdam after undergrad, the challenges of being there at the time, and heading to the University of Michigan to complete his masters during and after the COVID epidemic (01:02:00), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on developing young percussionists, maintaining his physical and mental health, cooking, great movies, New Jersey foods, and Curb Your Enthusiasm (01:17:35). Finishing with a Rave on the 2023 documentary Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection (01:44:40). Reed Puleo Links: Reed Puleo’s webpage Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Michael Jones in 2026 Ian Antonio in 2023 Keith Aleo in 2020 Other Links: Klangforum Wien Alex Lipowski Ensemble Modern Christian Dierstein Lucerne Festival Academy Impulse New Music Festival Kenneth Piascik “Three Brothers” - Michael Colgrass “Ostinato Pianissimo” - Henry Cowell “Variations on a Ghanaian Theme - Dan Levitan Neil McNulty Kyle Brightwell Nancy Zeltsman Doug Perkins Chosen Vale “Hop(2)” - Paul Lansky From My Little Island - Robert Aldridge American Songbook II - George Crumb Chris Sies Colin Currie (Untitled) trailer Michael Compitello Nathan Davis A Different Man trailer Unfrosted trailer The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger Jannik Sinner “Mr. Brightside” - The Killers Rose Garden Raves: Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection trailer

  2. Jul 30

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 505 - Luke Helker

    Episode 505 - Luke Helker Pete's Percussion Podcast Fort Hays State (KS) Director of Percussion Studies Luke Helker stops by to talk about the FHSU job and about recruiting to a small regional college (02:45), his recent presentation at the Canadian Percussion Network’s annual conference and its beginnings (17:05), growing up in Pennsylvania, his vast array of musical influences and experiences, getting to travel with family, and his years of undergrad at Millersville University (PA) studying percussion and audio production (25:50), his grad school years at the University of Kansas, his time as a wedding DJ, studying under Mike Compitello and Sam Um, and his early teaching experiences (49:10), and then Luke settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on marching vs. concert percussion, great and terrible movies, John Steinbeck, metal music, Philly sports, and the artist Alphonse Mucha (01:11:30). Finishing with a Rave on the book and movie versions of The Odyssey (01:48:05). Luke Helker Links: Luke Helker’s website Luke Helker’s Fort Hays State website Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Michael Jones in 2026 Other Links: Ryan Pearson “Child of Tree” - John Cage “The Ice is Talking” - Vivian Fung “Allegro ma non troppo” - Unsuk Chin “Echolalia” - Mark Applebaum Oklahoma! ABBA Mozart for Monday Mornings Puccini and Pasta The Who Neil Young Arab Spring James Armstrong Stick Control - George L. Stone Syncopation - Ted Reed Toccata for Percussion Instruments - Carlos Chavez Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture - PI Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 - Jean Sibelius Rick Rubin The Strokes Wilco My Morning Jacket @Percussion Podcast Michael Compitello Sam Um “Starships” - Nikki Minaj “Fireball” - Pitbull “At Last” - Etta James “I Loved Her First” - Heartland “Celebration” - Kool and the Gang “Shout” - The Isley Brothers “Wobble” - V.I.C. “Yeah!” - Usher and Lil Jon “Turn Down for What” - DJ Snake and Lil Jon Ed Sheeran “Art of Almost” - Wilco Reflections on the Nature of Water - Jacob Druckman Huberman Lab podcast NOPE trailer The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift trailer Orbital - Samantha Harvey The Winter of Our Discontent - John Steinbeck Slipknot Metallica Ghost Bell Witch sunn O))) Phillies 2008 World Series Eagles vs. Patriots Super Bowl LII Jaylen Brown Wawa “Friends in Low Places” - Garth Brooks Alphonse Mucha - Nelson Atkins Museum Raves: The Odyssey - Homer (translation by Emily Wilson) The Odyssey trailer

  3. Jul 23

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 504 - Kathy Armstrong

    Episode 504 - Kathy Armstrong Pete's Percussion Podcast Carleton University (ON) Ethnomusicologist and Director of Fine Arts Kathy Armstrong stops by to talk about her job, teaching West African drumming and dance, Baobab, and traveling and learning in Ghana for many years (03:30), her recent Canadian Percussion Network Conference presentation and the importance of Global Percussion Studies in standard Western Percussion tradition (21:45), growing up in the Scarborough area of Toronto, her early musical influences (including Soul and Funk music), her wonderful public school music background, the idea of “rhythmic tapestry”, and her experiences in the Girl Guides of Canada (36:10), attending the University of Toronto, studying with members of NEXUS, her post-undergrad experience and branching out into an entrepreneurship mindset (57:15), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including segments working in world percussion, the importance of maintaining physical and mental health, baking, sports, and great movies and poetry (01:18:00). Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 FIFA World Cup (01:45:05). Kathy Armstrong links: Kathy Armstrong’s website Kathy Armstrong’s Carleton University page Previous Podcast Guests Mentioned: Daniel Noonan in 2026 Chrissie Souza in 2024 Sarah Hasekamp in 2024 Fabrice Marandola in 2026 Kristie Ibrahim in 2024 Other Links: NEXUS Percussion Stevie Wonder Breakfast in America - Supertramp Earth, Wind, and Fire Tower of Power Led Zeppelin Nina Simone Earth, Wind & Fire documentary Summer of Soul trailer Peter Gabriel live in 1986 The Specials “Come Talk to Me” - Peter Gabriel “English Folk Song Suite” - Ralph Vaughan Williams Sting Paul Simon Ladysmith Black Mambazo Michelle Colton Beverley Johnston Timothy Rice James Kippen Big Night trailer Hamnet trailer Mamma Mia! trailer Fall On Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonald Outlander - Diana Gabaldon K.C. and the Sunshine Band “Shake It Off” - Taylor Swift Kirk Franklin “Le Freak” - CHIC Northern Super League The Professional Women’s Hockey League Rumi Mary Oliver Raves: The 2026 FIFA World Cup

  4. Jul 16

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 503 - Daniel Noonan

    Episode 503 - Daniel Noonan Pete's Percussion Podcast Recent Mizzou Masters of Music degree graduate in Percussion Performance Daniel Noonan stops by to talk about his degree recital and his interest in avant-garde music (04:00), his assistantship with the New Music Ensemble, working with new composers, and international travel (18:30), his experiences playing in various ensembles, the Odyssey Chamber Music Series in Columbia, and some of the other Mizzou Graduate Percussionists Daniel worked with (34:25), growing up in Morganton (NC), the issues of access to quality instruction in rural areas, his marching band experiences, and English class and his favorite books from the time (48:45), attending Western Carolina University for undergrad, Cullowee (NC), and studying under Dr. Adam Groh (01:02:00), getting to Mizzou and studying with Dr. Megan Arns (01:18:15), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on early percussion education, cooking gumbo, The Hitchhiker’s Guide book series, Ireland, and the great foods of North Carolina (01:28:10). Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 film Disclosure Day (01:55:30). Daniel Noonan Link: Daniel Noonan’s Instagram Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Julia Gaines-Montag in 2016 Megan Arns in 2026 Matthew Hinkle in 2026 Adam Groh in 2022 Luke Haymon in 2025 Mark Ford in 2023 Julie Davila in 2019 Nathan Daughtrey in 2021 Cara Wildman in 2021 Other Links: “Song for Low Tree” - Matthew Burtner “Toccata” - Anna Ignatowicz “She Who Sleeps with a Small Blanket” - Kevin Volans “Rebonds B” - Iannis Xenakis So Percussion Summer Institute “Millenium Canticles” - Missy Mazzoli “Ionisation” - Edgard Varese Eighth Blackbird Bang on a Can Machu Picchu Odyssey Chamber Music Series The Pieces that Fall to Earth - Christopher Cerrone “White Pines” - Michael Burritt “Pillar 1” - Andy Akiho Les Misérables - Victor Hugo “XY” - Michael Gordon Dubliners - James Joyce Matt Henley Diana Loomer “Third Construction” - John Cage “Canticle No. 3” - Lou Harrison “to wALk Or ruN in wEst harlem” - Andy Akiho “meditation for metal pipes” - Emma O’Halloran Fantastic Mr. Fox trailer Madame Web trailer Avatar: Fire and Ash trailer The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams Discworld - Terry Pratchett Monty Python’s Flying Circus opening credits Robert Honstein King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard JD’s Smokehouse Cook Out Bojangles Raves: Disclosure Day trailer

  5. Jul 9

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 502 - Greg Herron

    Episode 502 - Greg Herron Pete's Percussion Podcast Maryland-based freelance percussionist and educator Greg Herron stops by to talk about his new job as McDonogh School Upper School Band Director and Music Technology teacher, along with his private percussion teaching practice (02:25), his start to freelancing, and his career and life in Boston, Mexico, studying in Cuba, and heading back to Baltimore (11:50), growing up in many locations in the U.S., his active musical background, studying at the University of Miami (FL) and Boston Conservatory (MA), the many teachers who influenced him, and the importance of networking for freelancing gigs (41:50), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on instrument rentals, working with administration, and taking care of his physical and mental health (01:24:05). Finishing with a Rave on the 2018 book Atomic Habits (01:38:25). Greg Herron links: Greg Herron’s webpage Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Jenna Duranko in 2026 Neil Grover in 2023 Keith Aleo in 2020 Rebecca Kite in 2018 Other Links: Roy Haynes Ralph Hardimon Thom Hannum Tom Aungst Pat Hollenbeck Scott Eisenberg Foghorn Leghorn The Karate Kid trailer Caleb Herron I’m Possible - Richard White Dontae Winslow D.J. Sparr “Eruption” - Van Halen Lion Performance Hall John Locke Grant Menafee Nate Morton Matt Halpern Steve Rucker Steve Bagby Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer - Jim Chapin Scott Deal Seth Wexler John Tafoya Lou Abbott Svet Stoyanov Phil Faini Fritz Reiner Max Roach Elvin Jones Joe Henderson John H. Beck Vic Firth Evelyn Glennie Colin Currie Edna Huang Buddy Rich Gustav Klimt Raves: Atomic Habits - James Clear

  6. Jul 2

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 501 - Michael Jones

    Episode 501 - Michael Jones Pete's Percussion Podcast New York-based Percussionist, Recording Artist, Researcher and Educator Michael Jones stops by to talk about his current teaching job at Bard College (NY) and his work throughout the school (04:40), how his graduate studies at UC-San Diego influenced his solo CD projects (17:30), his philosophical research on ontology and percussion instrument ideology and modernity, and questions about what “total percussion” means today (30:30), growing up in Connecticut, his progressive metal music background, high school band, and his involvement in the Live Action Role-Playing community (58:25), his undergrad years at the Hartt School of Music (CT) and studying under Ben Toth and many of the other faculty there (01:12:45), more about his graduate work at UCSD, studying under Steven Schick, and many of his UCSD student colleagues (01:25:35), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on the impact of YouTube on young musicians, discussions of mental health, metal music, great books, and the San Diego Superbloom (01:39:40). Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 documentary Earth, Wind & Fire (02:08:20). Michael Jones Links: Michael Jones’ website Michael Jones’ Bard College page Michael Jones’ Discography Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Steven Schick from 2025 Rebecca Lloyd-Jones from 2022 Nicholas Papador from 2024 Other Links: Eric Cha-Beach Jason Treuting Nicholas Deyoe Pluto Bell Scott Wollschleger Sun Ra Thurman Barker “Psappha” - Iannis Xenakis The Percussionist’s Art - Steven Schick Amy Cimini Unsound Supplies - Fanny Gribenski (editor) Anthropocene Period Writing the Implosion - Joseph Dumit Between the Buried and Me Protest the Hero Scale the Summit Periphery Fred Hinger Ben Toth Joe Galeota John Amira Shane Shanahan Ted Piltzecker Rogerio Boccato From Me Flows What You Call Time - Toru Takemitsu Percussion Group Cincinnati Herbert Brün Bill Solomon “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” - Lukas Foss William Winant “Bone Alphabet” - Brian Ferneyhough “Persephassa” - Iannis Xenakis Zen and the Art of Archery - Eugene Herrigel Fiona Digney Princess Mononoke trailer Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer Rakesfall - Vajra Chandrasekera Swann’s Way - Marcel Proust (Lydia Davis translation) Meshuggah San Diego Superbloom Nardelli’s Zetsu No. 8 - Nishida Jun Raves: Earth, Wind & Fire documentary trailer

  7. Jun 18

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: EPISODE 500!!! - The Return of Megan Arns

    Episode 500 - Megan Arns (2026) Pete's Percussion Podcast It’s Episode 500, and the 10-year Anniversary of Pete’s Percussion Podcast!  After Pete talks about the early days of the show (01:45), he welcomes back his Mizzou colleague, member of the Percussive Arts Society Board of Directors, Percussionist, Educator and Administrator Megan Arns back to the show for the first time in 8 years!  Megan talks about her early years in percussion and her experiences and jobs prior to taking the Percussion Director Position at Mizzou in 2014 (12:00), her 12 years so far at Mizzou, what’s she’s learned, her administrative role, the job market and the challenges for future percussion teachers (17:30), working with grad students these days and her own experiences as a grad student (36:30), why she’s involved in PAS Leadership now, having a family and the challenges and opportunities of continuing to keep a professional career (44:00), her work with the Switch~ Ensemble (01:03:30), when her mentor Michael Burritt came to visit Mizzou in the spring (01:11:00), and a brief Random Ass Questions segment including managing her own physical and mental health, her knowledge of children’s media, new and upcoming travels, her father the college professor, “full send”, and some kudos to Pete for the podcast (01:21:35). Finishing with the Raves, including some FAQs about the podcast and Pete’s heartfelt thanks to the guests and the fans of the show (01:38:00). Megan Arns Links: Megan Arns’ website Megan Arns’ Mizzou page Switch~ Ensemble website Bill Kalinkos Previous Megan Arns’s podcast appearances: Megan in 2016 Megan in 2017 Megan in 2018 Previous Podcast Guests mentioned in this episode: John Parks IV in 2018 Troy Hall in 2020 Clif Walker in 2021 Mark Ford in 2023 William Moersch in 2019 Joshua Simonds in 2022 Other Links: Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum Corps Colts Drum & Bugle Corps Michael Bump Michael Burritt Royal Hartigan “Kakamora” from Moana Experimental Media and Performing Arts Theater KPop Demon Hunters trailer Moana trailer Frozen trailer Wicked trailer “Takedown” from KPop Demon Hunters

  8. Jun 11

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 499 - Matthew Hinkle

    Episode 499 - Matthew Hinkle Pete's Percussion Podcast No File Recent Master of Music in Percussion Performance graduate from the University of Missouri Matthew Hinkle stops by to talk about his Master’s degree recital program (03:35), his graduate assistantship duties in percussion and recording services (11:10), his interactions with the Mizzou faculty, his enjoyment of the grad cohort there, and his future in percussion (29:00), growing up in the St. Louis area, getting into percussion, and his years in DCI and WGI (44:40), his time attending community college while prepping for DCI auditions as well as getting starting working with high school drumlines (01:00:45), his undergrad years at Lindenwood University (MO) (01:07:15), his path to getting to Mizzou and more about his time as a percussion student (01:16:10), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on WGI and DCI and how they supplement the undergrad percussion student, the bad movie Anaconda, cooking, great books, classic video games, and the music of Richard Strauss (01:27:20). Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 film I Love Boosters (01:54:40). Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Megan Arns in 2016 Julia Gaines-Montag in 2016 Troy Hall in 2020 Clif Walker in 2021 Connor Stevens in 2021 Other Links: Great Plains International Marimba Competition “Caleidoscopio” - Gene Kosinski “Canaries” - Elliot Carter “The Anvil Chorus” - David Lang “Khan Variations” - Alejandro Viñao “White Pines” - Michael Burritt The Missouri Symphony Blue Devils DCI Freedom Percussion WGI 2019 Blue Devils show Sebastian Buhts David Arns Interstellar trailer Anaconda trailer The Percussionist’s Art - Steven Schick Meditations - Marcus Aurelius Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell Musashi’s Dokkodo DOOM trailer Diablo IV trailer Imo’s Pizza Ein Heidenleben - Richard Strauss Raves: I Love Boosters trailer

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A place for long form talk with percussionists and other compelling people.

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