Backstage at The Enharmonic
by Sean J. Kennedy
Through my decades in the music business as a performer, composer, arranger, and/or educator I’ve accumulated a vast Rolodex of the world’s leading musical innovators. From this pool of contacts, I came up with the idea of creating this podcast, Backstage at The Enharmonic, to get a candid look at what music may have inspired my guests in their formative years and who are some of the current artist that they are listening to, especially outside of their genre. The goal of this project is to dispel misconceptions about their tastes, to surprise listeners and fans, to entertain and take listeners to an unexpected point of resolution and think differently about musical categorizations. I’m your host Sean J. Kennedy and welcome to today’s edition of Backstage at The Enharmonic with my guest….
Episodes
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Trey O'Toole
February 19, 2024 Drummer, teacher and entrepreneur Trey O'Toole is the next guest on Backstage at the Enharmonic! Trey is a professional percussionist and instructor with over 30 years of experience and is co-owner of Pulse Drumming MusicWorks in Ventura, CA. He holds Bachelor of Music with...
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Jim Riley
April 7, 2023 Busy Nashville drummer, Jim Riley is the next guest on Backstage at the Enharmonic! Jim is the drummer and bandleader for multi-platinum group, Rascal Flatts as well as being an Adjunct Professor of Drumset Studies at Belmont University Since moving to Nashville in 1997, Jim he has...
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Hail to The Chief: Remembering Joe Goebel
October 28, 2022 This episode is about two years overdue! It is a tribute to my late undergrad percussion professor, Joseph Goebel (11/8/39-10/26/20) who passed away on October 26, 2020. He was truly, one-of-a-kind! This episode features me and my memories of The Chief. It begins with the first...
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BAM! It's The Daniel Glass Trio
May 29, 2022 I'm very happy to welcome my good friend, drummer, author, educator and historian, Daniel Glass back to the podcast! Today we do a deep-dive into his brand new burnin' album, The Daniel Glass Trio: BAM! For more about Daniel, the trio, the album, etc.. please visit him at...
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On the phone with, Harold Jones!
March 25, 2022 This short edition of Backstage at The Enharmonic features a recorded phone conversation that I had with the legendary big band drummer, Harold Jones. He was helping me prepare for a university-level master class. We dicusss: learning brushes, warming-up, plastic brushes, preparing...
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Jimmy Wormworth
Wednesday, September 30, 2021, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia: I had the privilege to sit down and chat with drum legend, Mr. Jimmy Wormworth! Jimmy is best known for playing drums with the groundbreaking vocal jazz ensemble, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, plus his work with Al Haig, Lou Donaldson and for...
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Dame Evelyn Glennie
Friday, June 18, 2021 My next guest is certified super-star, Dame Evelyn Glennie! I've been following and admiring her career for 20+ years now. Through video conferencing technology I was able to chat with Evelyn based in London, from my home studio in Philadelphia. In today's segment, Dame…
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The Drum Rudiment Edition with Tommy Campbell, Clayton Cameron, Liberty DeVitto, Matt Howard, David Lu, Sherrie Maricle, Berumda Schwartz, Chihiro Shibayama, Michael Vosbein, and John Wooton
June 13, 2021 THE DRUM RUDIMENT EDITION Ten of my favorite drummers tell us about their favorite Drum Rudiment! The panel includes: TOMMY CAMPBELL CLAYTON CAMERON LIBERTY DEVITTO MATTHEW HOWARD DAVID LU SHERRIE MARICLE JON BERMUDA SCHWARTZ CHIHIRO SHIBAYAMA MICHAEL VOSBEIN JOHN "DR. THROWDOWN"...
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Julian Bliss
May 21, 2021 At long last, Julian Bliss, internationally renowned clarinet phenom, and I get to chat! It's been two years in the making, but through the beauty of video conferencing we were able to conduct the interview. The interview starts well, at the beginning, discussing when and why Julian...
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Anthony J. Cirone
March 5, 2021, I'm very happy that one of my longtime inspirations in the field of percussion agreed to chat, Mr. Anthony J. Cirone. Anyone who has ever studied percussion has said the name, 'Cirone!', countless times, due to his groundbreaking snare drum solo book, Portraits in Rhythm. The book…
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Sherrie Maricle
October 3, 2020 I am excited to welcome drummer, composer and band leader Sherrie Maricle to the podcast! I've long been a fan of her drumming, music and music-business acumen. Today's chat begins with her early years begrudgingly playing a metal clarinet in the school band and comes full circle...
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Harold Jones, part ii
August 8, 2020 (originally released as a video interview on YouTube) This is a follow-up interview with Count Basie's favorite drummer, Harold Jones. American pop and jazz drummer Harold Jones is best known for his tours and recordings with Tony Bennett and for his five years with the Count Basie...
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Harold Jones, part i
May 16, 2020 (originally released as a video interview on YouTube) This interview is with Count Basie's favorite drummer, Harold Jones. American pop and jazz drummer Harold Jones is best known for his tours and recordings with Tony Bennett and for his five years with the Count Basie Orchestra. In…
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Susie Benchasil Seiter
February 3, 2020 At long last I had a chance to chat with Susie Benchasil Seiter! We've been trying to schedule this interview since late 2018 and I'm thrilled that it finally worked out. The scheduling difficulties can be attributed to the fact that Susie is one of the hardest working musicians…
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Jim Catalano
August 11, 2019 For as long as I can remember my next guest, Jim Catalano, has always been the face of Ludwig Drums for countless other musicians and me. Jim recently retired from Ludwig Drums after a 36+ year tenure and shared many stories and lots of great advice with me during this interview....
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Joseph Modica
December 3, 2018 In the spring of 2017 I had the opportinity to meet and work with the suberb conductor, Joseph Modica. Joe was conducting the orchestra backing the sensational Italian pop-opera trio Il Volo, for their Notte Magica tour across north America. Joe is one of the finest conductors I...
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Jerry Weldon
June 4, 2018 If I have ever interviewed someone that I could categorize as a character it is definetly my next guest, saxman, Jerry Weldon! Brimming with enthusiasm for life and jazz, Jerry has held the tenor saxophone chair with many of jazz music's founding fathers including Lionel Hampton, Dr....
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Ray Deeley
January 10, 2018 I've been looking forward to this interview for a long-time, one of the most inspiring teachers I ever had, drumset player and percussionist extraordinaire Mr. Ray Deeley! I was very fortunate to take private drumset and percussion lessons with Ray while a high school student...
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Daniel Glass
January 8, 2018 My first guest of the new year is award-winning drummer, author, educator Daniel Glass. In this episode we discuss Daniel's unique experiences growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii in the 60's and 70's, his college days leading a Pink Floyd cover band, moving to Los Angeles and studying…
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Bernie Dresel
October 12, 2017 My next guest started taking drum lessons at just 4 years old: Bernie Dresel! Growing up in western Pennsylvania getting a healthy diet of polka and hillbilly music and eventually moving onto to study classical percussion and music education at the Eastman School of Music, Bernie...
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Eddie Luisi
October 9, 2017 My next guest is often referred to as The Stage Manager to The Stars: Eddie Luisi. Eddie has been the stage manager on "Good Morning America" in Times Square, NYC since 1987. The list of musicians, actors, comedians, and personalities that he has worked with is a real who's-who…
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Neil Grover
September 28, 2017 The words from my next guest are both articulate and brimming with the shimmering nuances, much like his trademark tambourines and triangles; a living legend in the percussion community, Neil Grover. Neil shares memories of some his most memorable performances with…
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Andrew Torre
June 13, 2017 My next guest and I have known each other since 1996! Right after graduating from music school in addition to performing, I began teaching drums and percussion in suburban Philadelphia. One of my very first private drum students was my guest, Andrew Torre. I have very fond memories…
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NAMM Roundtable with Sean J. Kennedy, Mark Amentt, Clayton Cameron & Gordon Goodwin
NAMM GenNext Round-table NAMM GenNext Session: "Knocking Down Walls to Strengthen Your Foundation" Presented on, Thursday, January 19 — 10:30 am to 11:25 am Anaheim Hilton, Level 4, Capistrano A&B An all-star panel explores and discusses the reasons that we build mental walls and roadblocks—and…
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Nitzan Haroz
March 27, 2017 In December of 2016 while at a rehearsal with The Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale for their holiday concert series, from my seat at the drumset, I was blown away by the beautiful trombone sound coming from three rows behind me in the orchestra. During the break, I told the...
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Mark Amentt
January 14, 2017 Happy New Year! The first episode of Backstage at The Enharmonic for 2017 features bass player and Director of Sales for Casio America: Mark Amentt. Mark gives a lot of valuable advice to young folks that want to have a career in the music industry. He also talks about growing up...
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Steve Glanzmann
October 31, 2016 In this episode I speak to a gentleman with a highly specialized job, librarian for The Philadelphia Orchestra, Steve Glanzmann. Roughly only 350 folks in the entire world hold a similar job, our discussion sheds light on the inner workings of this unique job, the basic...
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Rachel Zatcoff
October 24, 2016: Hot off Broadway's Phantom of The Opera playing the part of 'Christine Daaé', my next guest Rachel Zatcoff chats with me about her early influences, a failed attempt at trying out for The Al Abert's Showcase television show, trepidations about going into theater, getting 'the...
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Rich Daniels
October 17, 2016 Live from the Chicagoland area I had a chance to chat with Rich Daniels, saxophonist, conductor and composer. Rich is the founder and leader of The City Lights Orchestra, and is the conductor for the Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration tours, which is where I first met Rich two...
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Seth Hanes
October 10, 2016: This is a MUST "listen to" for folks trying to break into the freelance scene! Digital marketing consultant and musician Seth Hanes shares stories and advice on building your brand, to get more gigs. He talks about his rise from parking attendant to marketing director for the...
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Gordon Goodwin
September 6, 2016: If you've ever played in a middle school or high school jazz band or have seen the movies The Majestic, National Treasure, Remember the Titans, Armageddon, Star Trek: Nemesis, The Incredibles, Snakes on a Plane, Race to Witch Mountain, Con Air, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes or...
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Jeff Sipe
August 28, 2016: In this episode I get to talk with one of my all-time favorite drummers, Jeff Sipe. I've been a fan of Jeff's since 1994, when I first heard him with Col. Bruce Hampton and The Aquarium Rescue Unit. Since then I've been able to see his trio live, have seen him perform with Jeff...
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Capathia Jenkins
August 22, 2016: I was very lucky to find a few minutes to speak with Capathia Jenkins this week. When not performing on TV and Broadway, she is busy crisscrossing the globe performing on the world’s biggest stages with the finest orchestras. Last year I performed in Philadelphia, Atlanta and...
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Dave Black
August 13, 2016: In this episode we chat with percussion and publishing powerhouse Dave Black. Dave reminisces about first hearing the power of a drumline at a parade when he was 7 years old, purchasing and learning to play guitar before becoming a percussionist, his fortuitous meeting in high...
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Clayton Cameron (The Brush Master)
July 20, 2016: I am happy to welcome a true drumming legend and personal hero of mine, The Brush Master: Clayton Cameron. In this episode we learn about Big C's (that's what Sammy Davis, Jr. called him) time in the Los Angeles All-City High School Marching Band, his 'terrible' audition with Mr.…
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Donald Nally
July 5, 2016: My next guest and I have known each other for nearly a quarter century, the internationally acclaimed conductor Donald Nally. Having performed in many of his choirs while an undergraduate student at West Chester University in the mid 90’s, and playing and arranging percussion for…
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Jeffrey R. Smith
June 20, 2016 This episode of Backstage at The Enharmonic features the multifaceted Jeffrey R. Smith. We learn about Jeff's early days at home in New Jersey taking piano lessons, singing with the Philadelphia Boys Choir, his years on Broadway right after college and even a little bit about his...
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Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser
June 3, 2016 I'm happy to have Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser as the seventh guest on Backstage at The Enharmonic! Dr. Tim's legendary workshops, advocacy materials and educational resources have influenced and shaped the lives of millions of students and music educators across the United States. In this...
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Chris Coletti
May 13, 2016: Having unwittingly scheduled an interview for Friday the 13th made me a little nervous, however, Chris Coletti was an incredibly mirthful guest! He explains how he ended up playing the trumpet although he originally had aspirations of being a violinist or clarinet player, he…
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Jerry Vivino
May 9, 2016 Perhaps best known as Conan O'Brien's saxman for the last 23 years today's guest, Jerry Vivino, shares stories about his foundation on the clarinet and hisparents profound influence on his life and career. A short lived xylophone career, baseball, Roy Rogers, his childhood teacher Ray...
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Joseph Conyers
April 29, 2016 Today's guest is the ever ebullient Joseph Conyers, assistant principal bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra, founder of Project440 and the newly appointed director of the Philadelphia All City Orchestra. In this episode Joseph reminisces about dancing to the clothes washer,...
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Michael Kurth
April 19, 2016 In this episode Sean has a captivating discussion with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra bass player Michael Kurth. He discusses his earliest influences his including K.I.S.S., The Blues Brothers movie, beating a chest of drawers with a hammer, and his affinity for the rock band Tool…
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Hal Blaine
April 12, 2016 In this episode Sean spends time talking with the legendary drummer, Hal Blaine. Hal goes way back and reminisces about taking his mother's rocking chair apart and using the dowelings as drumsticks, talks about his three years in Chicago studying with Roy Knapp (Gene Krupa's…
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Richie Cannata
April 3, 2016 Sean spends a few minutes talking with famed saxophonist (Billy Joel, The Beach Boys) and producer Richie Cannata about his earliest influences. Topics include Pete Fountain, Mickey Mouse and Liberty DeVitto.
About this show
Through my decades in the music business as a performer, composer, arranger, and/or educator I’ve accumulated a vast Rolodex of the world’s leading musical innovators. From this pool of contacts, I came up with the idea of creating this podcast, Backstage at The Enharmonic, to get a candid look at what music may have inspired my guests in their formative years and who are some of the current artist that they are listening to, especially outside of their genre. The goal of this project is to dispel misconceptions about their tastes, to surprise listeners and fans, to entertain and take listeners to an unexpected point of resolution and think differently about musical categorizations. I’m your host Sean J. Kennedy and welcome to today’s edition of Backstage at The Enharmonic with my guest….
Hosted by
Sean J. Kennedy
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