Pete's Percussion Podcast - Pete Zambito

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

  1. 1d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Jun 4

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 498 - Sam Quinones

    Episode 498 - Sam Quinones Pete's Percussion Podcast Following Pete’s thoughts about his experiences at the Canadian Percussion Network’s “The Space Between V” conference, Author and journalist Sam Quinones (The Perfect Tuba) stops by to talk about Sam’s career in journalism, growing up in California, crime reporting, and writing about tuba players and band directors (06:05), his relationship with music, his love of various genres and styles, and his background in punk rock (16:20), his first jobs in writing and building his writing skill set, talking to interesting people, and some of his favorite writers (25:00), his early research on the book, Tuba Fats, and Robert Caro (36:05), the connections between addiction and fulfillment through hard work in music, along with the needs of bands directors to become advocates for their work (41:50), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, with segments on the challenges for young journalists today, The Godfather films, and great music from The Rolling Stones, Sun Ra, and Emmylou Harris (01:05:45). Finishing with a Rave on the Sam Quinones book The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work (01:20:10). Sam Quinones Links: Sam Quinones’ website The Perfect Tuba - Sam Quinones Other Links: The Stockton Record The Los Angeles Times June 17, 1994 trailer (The OJ Simpson chase) Folk Music Center “Carol” - The Rolling Stones “Mama Tried” - Merle Haggard “Stand By Your Man” - Tammy Wynette “Jambalaya” - Clifton Chenier “La Puerta Negra” - Los Tigres Del Norte “Sweet Emotion” - Aerosmith “What’s Your Name” - Lynyrd Skynyrd “Chain Saw” - The Ramones “Clampdown” - The Clash “California Uber Alles” - Dead Kennedys Killings - Calvin Trillin Robert Caro The Corpse Had a Familiar Face - Edna Buchanan On Writing Well - William Zinsser Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro The Godfather trailer The Godfather Part II trailer Goodfellas trailer “Me and Billy the Kid” - Joe Ely “Space is The Place” - Sun Ra Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town - Emmylou Harris Raves: The Perfect Tuba - Sam Quinones

  7. May 28

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 497 - Candice Hill

    Episode 497 - Candice Hill Pete's Percussion Podcast Kansas City-based freelancing percussionist, educator, Steel Pan artist, composer and arranger Candice Hill stops by to talk about her career in KC and getting started there, along with her time performing with the Kansas City Chiefs drumline (03:45), teaching and performing in town, arranging and composing, and her work “Red City Calypso” (21:30), growing up in Columbia (MO) and her family musical background (34:45), her undergrad years at Missouri State University, marching band and lessons, getting into steel pan performance, and Music Education vs. Music Performance degrees (44:55), attending Northern Illinois University for her master’s in Steel Pan Performance, studying with Liam Teague and Cliff Alexis, dealing with performance anxiety, and keeping up with her non-steel band percussion skills (01:04:15), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on being a woman in the field of percussion, Pete getting to work with Candice and Emily Lemmermann for the Missouri Mass Steel Band performance last month, Dirty Dancing, Crafts and Baking, experiencing Panorama in Trinidad and Tobago, bad cleaning jobs, and the excellence of Steel Band all over the world (01:27:20). Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 film Michael (01:54:30). Candice Hill Links: Candice Hill’s website “Red City Calypso” - Candice Hill Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Emily Lemmermann in 2019 Julia Gaines-Montag in 2016 Scott Cameron in 2016 Liam Teague in 2025 Rich Holly in 2020 Raychel Taylor in 2020 Amanda Duncan in 2023 Elizabeth DeLamater in 2019 Other Links: Matt Arnet “Tornado” - Mitch Markovich John Patterson Blast! Al O’Connor Cliff Alexis “Because” - The Beatles “Island in the Sun” - Len “Boogsie” Sharpe Yuko Asada Mia Gormandy-Benjamin Robert Chappell Scott McConnell Dirty Dancing trailer Unheard Voices - Myrna Nurse Cricut crafts “Pan by Storm” - Skiffle Bunch Ben Yancey Raves: Michael trailer

  8. May 21

    Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 496 - Terry Sweeney

    Episode 496 - Terry Sweeney Pete's Percussion Podcast Sandbox Percussion Member and Educator Terry Sweeney stops by to talk about his work with Sandbox, their teaching at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Mannes (NY), and the Bob Van Sice influence (03:50), the beginnings of Sandbox Percussion, Terry’s challenges of performing in Sandbox and finishing his master’s degree at the same time, the Brooklyn studio, and the challenges and workings of scheduling (19:40), growing up in Michigan, his drumset and drumline background, and connecting with Gwen Dease through Interlochen (57:00), attending Peabody Conservatory (MD) for undergrad and studying with Bob Van Sice, and heading to Yale University (CT) for grad school, continuing with Van Sice, and some of the other folks he worked with during his time there (01:11:00), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on working with Andy Akiho, training for triathlons, his fandom for popcorn, and the work Canto Ostinato (01:18:15). Finishing with a Rave on the band Sound Society (01:51:20). Terry Sweeney links: Sandbox Percussion Terry at Sandbox Previous Podcast Guests Mentioned: Victor Caccese in 2019 Ian Rosenbaum in 2025 Jonny Allen in 2026 Gwen Dease in 2017 Garrett Arney in 2019 Amy Smith in 2018 Julie Hill in 2019 Julie Davila in 2019 David Skidmore in 2025 Sean Connors in 2025 Peter Martin in 2025 Robert Dillon in 2025 Other Links: Robert Van Sice “Extremes” - Jason Treuting “Mallet Quartet” - Steve Reich “Drumming” - Steve Reich So Percussion Eighth Blackbird Pat Metheny Group Antonio Sanchez Interlochen “Porgy and Bess” xylophone excerpt Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone - Morris Goldenberg Yale Percussion Group “Mirage” - Yasuo Sueyoshi Paul Berry “Time for Marimba” - Minoru Miki Aftersun trailer A Rainy Day in New York trailer My Struggle - Karl One Knausgard Canto Ostinato - Simeon ten Holt Raves: Sound Society

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

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