Episode 41:

Entrepreneurship has been a recurring theme on the podcast. Both Donnie Johns and Joe Gramley both focus heavily on the idea of percussionists being entrepreneurs within their educational circles, each discussing topics like versatility, multitasking, building trust and prioritization as foundations for their careers. Excerpts from our past conversations were pulled for this Best of episode.

Full length episodes

Donnie Johns: The Percussionist as Entrepreneur

• original airdate: 2/10/21, episode 29
  

Joe Gramley: Building a Music Career

• original airdate: 9/30/19, episode 6
  

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Music From This Episode

Anthony Di Bartolo: Whimsical by Nature

https://www.adibartolopercussion.com/

Sound Cloud

Spotify

Band Camp

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Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp

Episode 40:

Todd Meehan, Andrea Venet and Matthew Lau are distinctly creative in their own unique career paths. In this best of episode, we travel back to some of our first conversations and explore how each approaches their own creative lives. Matthew speaks about his energy and enthusiasm connected to building a performance career. Andrea "gives herself permission" to explore building a catalog of original compositions. And Todd has created a witty, engaging and contemporary approach to percussion education with Liquidrum. 

Todd Meehan: Art not War

• original airdate: 7/24/19, episode 3
  

Andrea Venet: Give Yourself Permission

• original airdate: 8/19/19, episode 4
  

Matthew Lau: Building a Brand

• original airdate: 1/15/20, episode 10
  

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Music From This Episode

Anthony Di Bartolo: Whimsical by Nature

https://www.adibartolopercussion.com/

Sound Cloud

Spotify

Band Camp

- - - -

Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp

Episode 39: 

Katy Elman is a friend of BSP and owner of Southern Percussion in the UK. Being a trained musician, attending music schools from an early age, Katy ultimately had a unique opportunity to take over a retail sheet music company. We talk about this transition from performing to operating Southern Percussion, how her company has grown significantly over the last 10+ years, and some of the connections between our two businesses. Katy also has a new educational project getting off the ground this Summer called the Southern Percussion Institute, which we learn more about during our conversation!

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Connect with Katy

www.southernpercussion.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthernPercussion

Instagram: www.instagram.com/southernpercussion

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/SPercuk

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2021 Percussion Ensemble Showcase winners: 

www.blackswamp.com/percussion-ensemble-showcase

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Music From This Episode

Anthony Di Bartolo: Whimsical by Nature

https://www.adibartolopercussion.com/

Sound Cloud

Spotify

Band Camp

- - - -

Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp

Episode 38 with Ivan Trevino

If you’re unfamiliar with Ivan Trevino’s compositions and work with The Big Trouble, it’s definitely worth a Google. A diverse collection of musical genres, instrumentation, orchestration, and performance opportunities help make his projects accessible to both listen to and perform. All with an ongoing thread of social awareness, inclusion and equity.

Ivan hasn’t been on our Artist Endorser roster long, but he’s definitely one of those people that makes you immediately feel comfortable, as if you’ve known each other for years.

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Connect with Ivan

https://ivandrums.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivantrevinomusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivan.drums/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/popmarimba

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The Big Trouble on Spotify

Co-Write: https://ivandrums.com/co-write-by-ivan-trevino/

Dynamicx Drums: https://www.blackswamp.com/snare-drums-dynamicx

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Music From This Episode

Tu Mereces lo Mejor marimba duo - Fred Trevino (arr. by Ivan Trevino) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVb6Tv-yyuY

Wildlings -  Ivan Trevino https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA14gIB4cdc

Forgiveness for solo vibraphone - Ivan Trevino https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaXNWpy3lgk

GHOST ARMS - The Big Trouble (live at PASIC 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCLUSum52y8

Steal Another Day - The Big Trouble (live at PASIC 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xia0ZU6F2-c

Star - Break of Reality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MHkxpEG6Cc

Uprising - Break of Reality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf0bLYLh6Pg

Catching Shadows - Ivan Trevino https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lktMLiKaes

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Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp

Episode 37 with Michael Ptacin

Michael Ptacin is a recent BSP Concert Artist, but actually someone we’ve known since meeting at a convention years ago. He’s got his hands in all sorts of stuff like musical theatre, sequencing & programming, administration and most recently audio video production. This all seems to stem from his willingness and excitement to try new things, accepting challenges and a loose professional motto to “Never say no...within reason”.

We discuss Michael’s motto in connection with his various activities and how they developed as well as a push for diversity awareness and inclusion within his projects and the percussion community as a whole.

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Connect with Michael

https://michaelptacin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelptacin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MPmarimba

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Percussion Ensemble Showcase Results: https://www.blackswamp.com/percussion-ensemble-showcase

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Music From This Episode

Alex Temple - Ah yes, the three genders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcYbL0Gm0qg

Dave Molk - sky: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMhQevfA6By/

Dave Molk - redline: https://davemolkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/redline

Steph Davis - I go to prepare a place for you: https://youtu.be/Mp7XAknbBII

Che Buford - Penn’s Landing: https://soundcloud.com/chesmusic/penns-landing-2020

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Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp6

Episode 36 with Maria Flurry

Maria Flurry has been a long time friend and supporter of Black Swamp Percussion. She knew Eric in the early years of BSP, used to work PAS conventions with us, and has always been one of our biggest supporters.

Besides being connected to the performance world in Michigan, Arizona and everywhere in between over the years, Maria has spent time, energy and resources developing non profit arts organizations, outreach programs, and helping to launch the AZ Philharmonic just a few years ago. Basically, she’s got her hands in a lot of different musical events, organizations and performance opportunities…as well as a wealth of experience and knowledge I try to tap into during our conversation.

Most recently, Maria is partnering with Homero Ceron and Fred Morgan to present a percussion trio performance in June through the Arizona Philharmonic.

Learn more here: https://azphil.org/event/2020-2021-manos/

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Connect with Maria

www.mariaflurry.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.flurry

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-vomlehn-flurry-888b6732

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TC1 Deep Dive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V3_mkYOEUQ&t=17s

LGTC2 Deep Dive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocjh9IsUxQ4

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Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp6

Episode 35 with Josh Smith

After catching up a bit about family, travel and life, we learn more about some of Josh’s professional development and his music publishing company Ox & Lamb. He’s got a great new subscription promotion happening called the Ox and Lamb music club.

As a subscriber for the club, you’ll receive THREE brand-new percussion solo pieces, one each from composer: Andrea Venet, Michael Burritt, and Dame Evelyn Glennie, delivered straight to your inbox as a PDF.

Each solo will be between 5’00” – 8’00” minutes in length and written at an “intermediate difficulty level”.

The cost to join the club is only $45, which gets you all three exclusive solos, available for a limited time.

Learn more here: https://www.oxandlambmusic.com/blog/

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2 Free months of Primephonic with promo code: BLACKSWAMP http://bit.ly/PrimephonicVC

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Connect with Josh

www.oxandlambmusic.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.d.smith.77

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danger.middle.name/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0YD5uwuL9FT5jwFJu_-rAg/featured

Music from this episode

Ben Cantrell - Dance Eleven by James Campbell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZLB5wQvawg

Adam Campbell - Tick-Tock by Adam Campbell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRnpfj__onU

Gustavo Miranda - Terza Rima by Terry Longshore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrkwIzmmmbI

Andre Venet - Strobilanthes by Andrea Venet / Ox and Lamb Music Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcu-Y_n0rbM&t=59s

Joshua D. Smith- The Shortest Day by Joshua D. Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI1d_02PRYk&t=122s

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Sound Solution Project

Percussion Ensemble Showcase

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Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp

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Primephonic ad features Music by John Vallis (johnvallis.bandcamp.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Episode 34 with Colleen Bernstein

Colleen Bernstein is Black Swamp Concert Artist heavily involved in arts education, performance collaboration, diversity awareness and community engagement. Strength and Sensitivity, her ongoing music and arts project, aims to connect and engage artists across gender, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and disability spectrums.

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2 Free months of Primephonic with promo code: BLACKSWAMP http://bit.ly/PrimephonicVC

- - - -

Connect with Colleen

www.colleenbernstein.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colleen.bernstein

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleendbern/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ColleenBernstein

Music from this episode

Rebonds a by Iannis Xenakis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0j_b566i8s

La Bicicleta de Cristal by Angélica Negrón: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7IQ2iSIH8w

We Shall Be Turned by Judd Greenstein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9TnNF8z7e8

Chorale by Richard Albagli: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTGGdpd9qBs

Strength & Sensitivity: Ann Arbor - Highlight Reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_JF0_HSriI

From My Little Island by Robert Aldridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J-JezP91J0

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Sound Solution Project (ends 04/30/21)

Percussion Ensemble Showcase

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Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp

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Primephonic ad features Music by John Vallis (johnvallis.bandcamp.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Episode 33

We revisit past episodes, and dig into the topic of improvisation with BSP Artists Gloria Yehilievsky, Anthony Di Bartolo, Andrew Baldwin and Tony DiSanza. Each are active in overlapping and contrasting areas of performance, so it’s interesting to hear about their individual processes and projects connected to improvisation.

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2 Free months of Primephonic with promo code: BLACKSWAMP 

http://bit.ly/PrimephonicVC

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Gloria Yehilevsky: Sounding Eye Collective

• original airdate: 8/17/20, episode 18

Anthony Di Bartolo: Whimsical by Nature

• original airdate: 10/21/20, episode 22

Andrew Baldwin: https://www.andrewbaldwinpercussion.com/

• original airdate: 11/25/20, episode 23

Tony DiSanza: Curry, Hetzler & DiSanza

• original airdate: 1/27/21, episode 28

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Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp

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Primephonic ad features Music by John Vallis (johnvallis.bandcamp.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Episode 32 with Melanie Voytovich

Melanie is the founder of the New Works Project, an organization focused on equity and accessibility within the new music community. Their commission and digital programs serve those who are interested in contemporary music but are limited in their capacity to engage in the community, due to limited funds or access to large or specialty instruments. Most of our conversation centers on accessibility and diversity within the music world, which is a huge part of Melanie's work, and which Black Swamp is proud to help support through the New Works Project.

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2 Free months of Primephonic with promo code: BLACKSWAMP http://bit.ly/PrimephonicVC

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Check out www.wrist-grips.com

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Connect with Melanie

https://www.newworksproject.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewWorksProject/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newworksproject/

Music from this episode

The Hope Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMVzs9GPQfY&t=132s

Open Your Eyes by Ivan Trevino: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRvJMP_bB10

Two Duos for Flute and Percussion I. Whac-a-mole by Mark Engebretson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ak-XWvZNnY

Dream of the Cherry Blossoms by Keiko Abe: https://soundcloud.com/mvoytovich/dream-of-the-cheery-blossoms-excerpt-keiko-abe

Hope by Dave Molk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdgC9FqoaF8&t

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Quick Ship Snare Drum Sale (ends 03/31/21)

Percussion Ensemble Showcase

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Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp

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Primephonic ad features Music by John Vallis (johnvallis.bandcamp.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Episode 31 with Elizabeth DeLamater

Elizabeth is a BSP Educator, who has taught, performed and lectured around the world...most recently in Trinidad right before the Pandemic, which we spend some time talking about. She also has her own podcast called Art Lives, is a steel pan authority, and is the chair of the PAS Diversity Alliance which we learn all more about during our conversation. PLUS, Elizabeth recently released a new composition titled "Transitions for Solo Snare Drum": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XBpOBXFFGw

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2 Free months of Primephonic with promo code: BLACKSWAMP http://bit.ly/PrimephonicVC

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Check out www.wrist-grips.com

- - - -

Connect with Elizabeth

http://www.elizabethdelamater.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.delamater

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eldelamater/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ELDeLamater

Art Lives Podcast: http://www.elizabethdelamater.com/art-lives-podcast

Music from this episodeTransitions for Solo Snare Drum by Elizabeth DeLamater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XBpOBXFFGw

High Mass arranged by Paul G. Ross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKyd2Hg2i54

High Mass arranged by Clive Bradley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PG-onZumw4

Bernard Woma and the Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mySAxf8AZRM

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Get Social with Black Swamp:

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/BSPFam

BSP Fam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BSPFam/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackswampperc/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackswamppercussion/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blackswamp

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Primephonic ad features Music by John Vallis (johnvallis.bandcamp.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0