Hi friends!
Hope all is well. Whenever I get asked, “So what have you been working on lately?” it makes me realize that I do a terrible job of keeping people up-to-date.
So here are a few highlights from the last 18 months (!) or so.

Live Playing

2015 marks my 17th year in Shakira’s band as her drummer/percussionist, sometimes producer, and occasional co-writer

Recording a live DVD with Roberto Carlos at Abbey Road Studios

US Tour with actress/singer Leighton Meester

Shelby Lynne

Touring Asia with Leehom Wang

Aleks Syntek

JJ Lin Tour

Sitting in for my buddy with Miley Cyrus

Dallas shows with R&B producer extraordinaire Dallas Austin

Jacob & Fanny

Playing shows with The Bodeans (sitting in for my buddy Kenny Aronoff)

Playing shows with artist Debi Nova

Rocking with Beto Cuevas

playing as the house drummer at Sayers Club

A performance with producer/composer Gustavo Santaolalla, playing his soundtrack compositions

Award-winning latin songwriter Claudia Brant

Continuing my 20 year working relationship with Cuban-American songwriter Elsten Torres

Japanese rock legend Daita and his band Breaking Arrows

Vocalist Raquel Sofia

Electro-pop artist

Violin virtuoso Lili Haydn

Co-writing and performing with Spanish star David Bisbal

playing shows with artist Dan Navarro

touring with Daniel Powter

Studio Recordings:

– Rilan
– Alejandro Sanz “Sirope”
– Shelby Lynne “I Can’t Imagine”
– Minnie Driver “Ask Me To Dance”
– Aleks Syntek “Romántico Desliz”
– Beth Thornely “All That Longing”
– “Cantinflas” movie soundtrack
– JJ Lin “Genesis”
– Willodean “Willodean”
– Taryn Southern

And yet to be released albums from artists:
– Roberto Carlos “live from Abbey Road”
– Nathan Fox
– Jeff Wang
– Axel Muñiz
– Boys School
– Joel Taylor
– Kandia Crazyhorse
– August Empire
– Dan Navarro
– Stevie Brock
– Stevie Ann
– Madame Recamier
– LOFT
– Spam Allstars
– Christian Petersen
– Sarah Packiam
– The Voice Australia

Thanks for all the support!
rock & roll.

I’m constantly asked for advice to give up and coming drummers who are trying to “make it” in the industry… It’s a pretty simple plan… PLAY!!! And then, play some more! Hours and hours on a drumset, with sticks in your hands… that is the most important concern.

“But what about websites, and social media, and YouTube?” Don’t lose focus on the most important part of becoming a great drummer, and that is BECOMING A GREAT DRUMMER.

Also, and I know I’ve said this a million times, meet other musicians through playing. Form bands. Rehearse together. Play shows. Meet other drummers from other bands while you are out. Go to jam sessions and concerts. Talk to people. Don’t creep them out with overaggressive networking. Just hang and get to know fellow musicians. Improve your drumming, while expanding your peer group. That’s it! The rest is beyond your control.