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. 4d ago

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 510 - Payton MacDonald

    Episode 510 - Payton MacDonald Pete's Percussion Podcast William Paterson University (NJ) Percussion Director and Music Department Chairperson Payton MacDonald stops by to talk about his college job, the challenges of getting jobs in higher education, and the facilities at the school (03:15), how he handles and maintains his physical and mental health with involvement in so many creative activities, his years as a founding member of Alarm Will Sound, and his move towards improvisation as the basis of his creative performances now (26:40), growing up in Idaho Falls (ID), his early percussion and band experiences, his exposure to a wide swath of genres from a young age, and his experiences mountain biking (45:40), attending the University of Michigan for undergrad and studying with Michael Udow (01:00:00), attending Eastman (NY) for his grad degrees, developing a freelancing career and setting himself up for success on the college teaching level, and his years teaching at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh (01:08:25), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, with segments on music in competition, personal health, practical clothes, motorcycles, making fried rice, great books and poetry, administrative duties, and new music concerts (01:24:35). Finishing with a Rave on the 2025 documentary Sly Lives! (01:53:50). Payton MacDonald Links: Payton MacDonald’s homepage Payton MacDonald’s William Paterson University page Void Patrol’s Bandcamp page Sonic Divide Sonic Parks Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Mika Godbole in 2026 Colleen Bernstein in 2022 Michael Udow in 2025 Steven Schick in 2025 Julie Spencer in 2021 John W. Parks IV in 2018 Other Links: Ray DesRoches “Persephassa” - Iannis Xenakis John Ferrari M’Bemba Bangoura Hector Morales Steve Nelson Johnathan Blake Alarm Will Sound Stefan Freund New Jersey Percussion Ensemble John H. Beck Blackearth Percussion Group Steve Reich Charles Wuorinen Max Roach Philly Joe Jones Elvin Jones John Medeski Glenn Gould Gordon Stout Vida Chenoweth Leigh Howard Stevens Clair Omar Musser Live at Birdland - John Coltrane Unit Structures - John Coltrane Ali Akbar Khan Bob Becker Silence - John Cage Rudimental Solos for Accomplished Drummers - John Pratt Portraits in Rhythm - Tony Cirone 12 Studies for Snare Drum - Jacques Delecluse H. Robert Reynolds Mark Stone Colin Stetson Stephen Rush Reggie Workman Roscoe Mitchell John Alfieri Bobby Hutcherson Milt Jackson Jason Treuting Lawson White Steve Owen Fred Bugbee Ted Poor Doug Perkins Anthony Di Sanza Blake Tyson CHiPs Freeze frame ending Apocalypse Now trailer Heart of Darkness trailer Oppenheimer trailer Denis Villeneuve Steven Soderbergh The Dispossessed - Ursula K. Le Guin Disgrace - J.M. Coetzee Canada - Richard Ford The Human Stain - Philip Roth George Oppen Dylan Thomas Charles Bukowski Fluxus MASS MoCA “Just Ancient Loops” - Michael Harrison & Bill Morrison - Maya Beiser, cello Raves: Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) - Sly Stone with Ben Goodman WTF: Episode 1666 - Questlove SLY LIVES! aka The Burden of Black Genius trailer

  2. Aug 27

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 509 - Rick Mattingly

    Episode 509 - Rick Mattingly Pete's Percussion Podcast Louisville-based percussionist, teacher, and writer, and editor of the Percussive Arts Society’s Percussive Notes magazine Rick Mattingly stops by to talk about his local performances in Louisville, the beginnings of his editing and writing career, and his interview style (04:55), his early editing career with Modern Drummer and his interviews and contact with drummers early in their careers (22:30), working as PAS’s Percussive Notes editor (38:35), growing up in Louisville, getting into rock and classical music early on, and getting to perform frequently (47:10), his years studying at the University of Louisville, playing professionally in orchestra, and playing in a hotel-based dance band (56:15), moving to New York City, interviewing members of the Rolling Stones, and his life in the city (01:07:40), moving back to Louisville, teaching and writing, and his work with method books and bringing Gary Chester’s The New Breed to the masses (01:21:00), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on private instruction, maintaining physical and mental health, great books, The British Invasion, Louisville cuisine, and the Vesna Duo (01:44:00). Finishing with a Rave honoring the life and work of Dolly Parton (02:06:30). Rick Mattingly Links: Rick Mattingly’s GIA Publications page Your Music Career is NOT Over - Rick Mattingly Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Julie Spencer in 2021 Norman Weinberg in 2017 Ksenija Komljenovic in 2020 The Vesna Duo in 2022 Other Links: Roy Burns Ron Spagnardi Buddy Rich Ed Shaughnessy Jimmy Cobb Jim Chapin Don Moye Peter Criss Philly Joe Jones Saul Goodman Sue Evans Garwood Whaley Kenny Aronoff Dave Weckl Steve Gadd Steve Jordan Denny Carmassi Val Wilmer Arthur Press The Beatles on Ed Sullivan Max Roach The Rolling Stones “Steel Wheels” tour Creedence Clearwater Revival Edward B. Straight N.A.R.D. Anthony J. Cirone Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone - Morris Goldenberg Clair Omar Musser “Sonata for Xylophone” - Thomas Pitfield “Children’s Songs” - Chick Corea and Gary Burton Chet Atkins Marvin Hamlisch Doc Severinsen “Gonna Fly Now” - Bill Conti Charlie Watts Tony Williams Danny Gottlieb Joe Morello Gary Chester Hal Blaine Bill Bruford Carl Palmer Louisville Leopard Percussionists Peter Erskine Nancy Zeltsman Charles Dickens Jack Kerouac Allen Ginsberg Sherlock Holmes Agatha Christie Basil Rathbone Sherlock trailer Ed Soph “Heart Full of Soul” - The Yardbirds “You Really Got Me” - The Kinks “Honey” - Bobby Goldsboro Ramsi’s Cafe Check’s Cafe Raves: Dolly Parton’s New York Times obituary

  3. Aug 20

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 508 - Jim McCarthy

    Episode 508 - Jim McCarthy Pete's Percussion Podcast Saskatchewan-based instrument designer, builder, tuner, and band arranger Jim McCarthy stops by to talk about all of his current work, along with the mallet bar retuning process (03:45), his Canadian Percussion Network conference presentations on his contrabass marimba and vibraphone motor manipulation (18:20), growing up in Adelaide (AUS), his interest in many musical genres and beginning on drumset, and the sports, music education, and weather scene in southern Australia (50:05), his time in undergrad at the University of Adelaide (01:10:00), his post-undergrad years freelancing, performing, arranging, and teaching, along with commentary about his volleyball career (01:23:30), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on marimba design, Australian accents, personal health, movie comedies, great books, and traveling around the world (01:39:40). Finishing with a Rave on the classic novel Vanity Fair (02:15:00). Jim McCarthy links: Make a Marimba homepage Jim’s “Vibes Motor Unlimited” page Jim McCarthy’s bio at the Make a Marimba webpage Stick Technique - Jim McCarthy Jim McCarthy’s Percussion Clinic page Previous Podcast guests mentioned: Michael Schutz in 2025 John Wooton in 2022 Other Links: James Bailey PAS Hall of Fame page Helmholtz Resonators Arturo Sandoval Gary Burton Australian Contemporary Percussion - Louise Devenish Tower Heist trailer The African Queen trailer Dodgeball trailer Monty Python and the Holy Grail trailer Talladega Nights trailer The Man Who Captured Eichmann trailer The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series - Douglas Adams Last Chance to See - Douglas Adams The Many-Colored Land - Julian May Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert Pirsig Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach Raves: Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

  4. Aug 13

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 507 - Leonardo Soto

    Episode 507 - Leonardo Soto Pete's Percussion Podcast Principal Timpanist for the Houston Symphony (TX) Leonardo Soto stops by to talk about his main gig, teaching at the University of Miami (FL), working at summer festivals, secrets of auditioning, and maintaining a busy schedule (03:35), his previous orchestral jobs at the Detroit Opera (MI) and Charlotte Symphony (NC) and his experiences on the audition circuit later in his career (33:45), growing up in Chile, his father the drummer and pop musician, the legacy of Chilean orchestral percussionists, studying percussion in Chile, and the challenges of equipment and music resources in the country (45:20), his master’s degree work at Carnegie-Mellon University (PA), studying with Tim Adams and (later) Tom Freer, early audition experiences, and learning English through Seinfeld and the Rush Hour movies (01:04:05), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on student learning styles, his sporting activities and doing cardio, playing athletic timpani music, Rafa Nadal, Chilean soccer, cooking mishaps, great books, and seeing the artwork in The Vatican (01:27:20). Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 documentary Cookie Queens (02:04:55). Leonardo Soto links: Leonardo Soto’s Houston Symphony page Leonardo Soto’s University of Miami page Leonardo Soto’s Remo page Timpani Concerto - Andy Akiho (Leonardo Soto, soloist) Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: She-e Wu in 2025 Pablo Rieppi in 2024 Andrés Espinoza in 2018 Other Links: Matthew Strauss Brevard Music Center Grand Teton Music Festival National Youth Orchestra Tom Freer Tim Adams Cloyd Duff Steven Reineke Svet Stoyanov Joseph Petrasek Edward Stephan Mingyu Son Luft Mallets Richard Weiner Shannon Wood La Sonora de Tommy Rey The All-American Drummer: 150 Rudimental Solos - Charley Wilcoxin Etudes for Timpani - Richard Hochrainer Rafa Nadal The Inner Game of Music - Barry Green City Lights trailer Cinema Paradiso trailer The Undefeated Mind - Alex Lickerman The Alchemist - Paulo Coehlo Meditations - Marcus Aurelius Myriam Hernandez The Vatican Raves: Cookie Queens trailer

  5. Aug 6

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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

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