Warren Odze - The Broadway Drumming Classic Interview

Back when we were all stuck inside and Broadway had gone quiet, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the great Warren Odze—a true Broadway and NYC studio veteran. Re-listening to this interview in 2025, I’m reminded just how rich and inspiring Warren’s stories are. Things have changed for the better since we first recorded, but this conversation holds up stronger than ever.Warren has played in an incredible list of Broadway shows, including:🎭 The Life🎭 Civil War🎭 Kat and the Kings🎭 Seussical🎭 Thoroughly Modern Millie🎭 Lennon🎭 Come Fly Away🎭 The Wedding Singer🎭 Priscilla, Queen of the Desert🎭 Rocky🎭 An American In Paris🎭 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory🎭 King KongIn this episode, Warren talks about:* Growing up in Long Island and discovering the magic of drumming* Why seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show blew his mind—and how that moment helped launch his music career* Studying at the Manhattan School of Music during a golden age for jazz and classical training* Playing NYC clubs in the '70s and '80s, hauling drums through dangerous subways, and working 6 nights a week* Studio stories: recording jingles, subbing on Broadway, and why "every piece of music was handmade"* Navigating the caste system of NYC musicians—from the A-list cats to the club date scene* His first big Broadway break (The Life), and how a free jazz gig led to a steady theater chair* How he kept things fresh after hundreds of shows: “Do no harm. Save the patient.”🎙️ This interview is packed with wisdom, hustle, and hilarious throwbacks—from terrifying subway hauls to playing on the Dick Cavett Show (and yes, Miles Davis was in the building).Warren is living proof that being versatile, professional, and prepared can take you far, even if it means carrying your gear across town in a blizzard.🟡 Listen to the full episode now and hear about a NYC drumming life well-lived—and still going strong.📲 Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share with your fellow drummers, theater musicians, and music lovers.Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he’s contributed his talents to Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe