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Pete's Percussion Podcast - Pete Zambito
Hosted by Pete Zambito · EN
A place for long form talk with percussionists and other compelling people.
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Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 506 - Reed Puleo
3d agoTap to summarizeEpisode 506 - Reed Puleo Pete's Percussion Podcast Denver-based percussionist and educator Reed Puleo stops by to talk about establishing himself in the Denver area and his Fulbright Award to study and work in Austria (02:20), growing up in New Jersey, family members in the arts, his early start in percussion ensemble and percussion performance, and his marching band experiences (34:25), attending Boston Conservatory (MA) for undergrad (47:35), living and studying in Amsterdam after undergrad, the challenges of being there at the time, and heading to the University of Michigan to complete his masters during and after the COVID epidemic (01:02:00), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on developing young percussionists, maintaining his physical and mental health, cooking, great movies, New Jersey foods, and Curb Your Enthusiasm (01:17:35).Finishing with a Rave on the 2023 documentary Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection (01:44:40).Reed Puleo Links:Reed Puleo’s webpagePrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Michael Jones in 2026Ian Antonio in 2023Keith Aleo in 2020Other Links:Klangforum WienAlex LipowskiEnsemble ModernChristian DiersteinLucerne Festival AcademyImpulse New Music FestivalKenneth Piascik“Three Brothers” - Michael Colgrass“Ostinato Pianissimo” - Henry Cowell“Variations on a Ghanaian Theme - Dan LevitanNeil McNultyKyle BrightwellNancy ZeltsmanDoug PerkinsChosen Vale“Hop(2)” - Paul LanskyFrom My Little Island - Robert AldridgeAmerican Songbook II - George CrumbChris SiesColin Currie(Untitled) trailerMichael CompitelloNathan DavisA Different Man trailerUnfrosted trailerThe Catcher in the Rye - J.D. SalingerJannik Sinner“Mr. Brightside” - The KillersRose GardenRaves:Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 505 - Luke Helker
1w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 505 - Luke Helker Pete's Percussion Podcast Fort Hays State (KS) Director of Percussion Studies Luke Helker stops by to talk about the FHSU job and about recruiting to a small regional college (02:45), his recent presentation at the Canadian Percussion Network’s annual conference and its beginnings (17:05), growing up in Pennsylvania, his vast array of musical influences and experiences, getting to travel with family, and his years of undergrad at Millersville University (PA) studying percussion and audio production (25:50), his grad school years at the University of Kansas, his time as a wedding DJ, studying under Mike Compitello and Sam Um, and his early teaching experiences (49:10), and then Luke settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on marching vs. concert percussion, great and terrible movies, John Steinbeck, metal music, Philly sports, and the artist Alphonse Mucha (01:11:30).Finishing with a Rave on the book and movie versions of The Odyssey (01:48:05).Luke Helker Links:Luke Helker’s websiteLuke Helker’s Fort Hays State websitePrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Michael Jones in 2026Other Links:Ryan Pearson“Child of Tree” - John Cage“The Ice is Talking” - Vivian Fung“Allegro ma non troppo” - Unsuk Chin“Echolalia” - Mark ApplebaumOklahoma! ABBAMozart for Monday MorningsPuccini and PastaThe WhoNeil YoungArab SpringJames ArmstrongStick Control - George L. StoneSyncopation - Ted ReedToccata for Percussion Instruments - Carlos ChavezRomeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture - PI TchaikovskySymphony No. 2 - Jean SibeliusRick RubinThe StrokesWilcoMy Morning Jacket@Percussion PodcastMichael CompitelloSam Um“Starships” - Nikki Minaj“Fireball” - Pitbull“At Last” - Etta James“I Loved Her First” - Heartland“Celebration” - Kool and the Gang“Shout” - The Isley Brothers“Wobble” - V.I.C.“Yeah!” - Usher and Lil Jon“Turn Down for What” - DJ Snake and Lil JonEd Sheeran“Art of Almost” - WilcoReflections on the Nature of Water - Jacob DruckmanHuberman Lab podcastNOPE trailerThe Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift trailerOrbital - Samantha HarveyThe Winter of Our Discontent - John SteinbeckSlipknotMetallicaGhostBell Witchsunn O)))Phillies 2008 World SeriesEagles vs. Patriots Super Bowl LIIJaylen BrownWawa“Friends in Low Places” - Garth BrooksAlphonse Mucha - Nelson Atkins MuseumRaves:The Odyssey - Homer (translation by Emily Wilson)The Odyssey trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 504 - Kathy Armstrong
2w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 504 - Kathy Armstrong Pete's Percussion Podcast Carleton University (ON) Ethnomusicologist and Director of Fine Arts Kathy Armstrong stops by to talk about her job, teaching West African drumming and dance, Baobab, and traveling and learning in Ghana for many years (03:30), her recent Canadian Percussion Network Conference presentation and the importance of Global Percussion Studies in standard Western Percussion tradition (21:45), growing up in the Scarborough area of Toronto, her early musical influences (including Soul and Funk music), her wonderful public school music background, the idea of “rhythmic tapestry”, and her experiences in the Girl Guides of Canada (36:10), attending the University of Toronto, studying with members of NEXUS, her post-undergrad experience and branching out into an entrepreneurship mindset (57:15), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including segments working in world percussion, the importance of maintaining physical and mental health, baking, sports, and great movies and poetry (01:18:00).Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 FIFA World Cup (01:45:05).Kathy Armstrong links: Kathy Armstrong’s websiteKathy Armstrong’s Carleton University pagePrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Daniel Noonan in 2026Chrissie Souza in 2024Sarah Hasekamp in 2024Fabrice Marandola in 2026Kristie Ibrahim in 2024Other Links:NEXUS PercussionStevie WonderBreakfast in America - SupertrampEarth, Wind, and FireTower of PowerLed ZeppelinNina SimoneEarth, Wind & Fire documentarySummer of Soul trailerPeter Gabriel live in 1986The Specials“Come Talk to Me” - Peter Gabriel“English Folk Song Suite” - Ralph Vaughan WilliamsStingPaul SimonLadysmith Black MambazoMichelle ColtonBeverley JohnstonTimothy RiceJames KippenBig Night trailerHamnet trailerMamma Mia! trailerFall On Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonaldOutlander - Diana GabaldonK.C. and the Sunshine Band“Shake It Off” - Taylor SwiftKirk Franklin“Le Freak” - CHICNorthern Super LeagueThe Professional Women’s Hockey LeagueRumiMary OliverRaves:The 2026 FIFA World Cup
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 503 - Daniel Noonan
3w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 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 InstagramPrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Julia Gaines-Montag in 2016Megan Arns in 2026Matthew Hinkle in 2026Adam Groh in 2022Luke Haymon in 2025Mark Ford in 2023Julie Davila in 2019Nathan Daughtrey in 2021Cara Wildman in 2021Other Links:“Song for Low Tree” - Matthew Burtner“Toccata” - Anna Ignatowicz“She Who Sleeps with a Small Blanket” - Kevin Volans“Rebonds B” - Iannis XenakisSo Percussion Summer Institute“Millenium Canticles” - Missy Mazzoli“Ionisation” - Edgard VareseEighth BlackbirdBang on a CanMachu PicchuOdyssey Chamber Music SeriesThe Pieces that Fall to Earth - Christopher Cerrone“White Pines” - Michael Burritt“Pillar 1” - Andy AkihoLes Misérables - Victor Hugo“XY” - Michael GordonDubliners - James JoyceMatt HenleyDiana 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’HalloranFantastic Mr. Fox trailerMadame Web trailerAvatar: Fire and Ash trailerThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas AdamsDiscworld - Terry PratchettMonty Python’s Flying Circus opening creditsRobert HonsteinKing Gizzard and the Lizard WizardJD’s SmokehouseCook OutBojanglesRaves:Disclosure Day trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 502 - Greg Herron
Jul 9Tap to summarizeEpisode 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 webpagePrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Jenna Duranko in 2026Neil Grover in 2023Keith Aleo in 2020Rebecca Kite in 2018Other Links:Roy HaynesRalph HardimonThom HannumTom AungstPat HollenbeckScott EisenbergFoghorn LeghornThe Karate Kid trailerCaleb HerronI’m Possible - Richard WhiteDontae WinslowD.J. Sparr“Eruption” - Van HalenLion Performance HallJohn LockeGrant MenafeeNate MortonMatt HalpernSteve RuckerSteve BagbyAdvanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer - Jim ChapinScott DealSeth WexlerJohn TafoyaLou AbbottSvet StoyanovPhil FainiFritz ReinerMax RoachElvin JonesJoe HendersonJohn H. BeckVic FirthEvelyn GlennieColin CurrieEdna HuangBuddy RichGustav KlimtRaves:Atomic Habits - James Clear
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 501 - Michael Jones
Jul 2Tap to summarizeEpisode 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’ websiteMichael Jones’ Bard College pageMichael Jones’ DiscographyPrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Steven Schick from 2025Rebecca Lloyd-Jones from 2022Nicholas Papador from 2024Other Links:Eric Cha-BeachJason TreutingNicholas DeyoePluto BellScott WollschlegerSun RaThurman Barker“Psappha” - Iannis XenakisThe Percussionist’s Art - Steven SchickAmy CiminiUnsound Supplies - Fanny Gribenski (editor)Anthropocene PeriodWriting the Implosion - Joseph DumitBetween the Buried and MeProtest the HeroScale the SummitPeripheryFred HingerBen TothJoe GaleotaJohn AmiraShane ShanahanTed PiltzeckerRogerio BoccatoFrom Me Flows What You Call Time - Toru TakemitsuPercussion Group CincinnatiHerbert BrünBill Solomon“Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” - Lukas FossWilliam Winant“Bone Alphabet” - Brian Ferneyhough“Persephassa” - Iannis XenakisZen and the Art of Archery - Eugene HerrigelFiona DigneyPrincess Mononoke trailerStar Wars: The Last Jedi trailerRakesfall - Vajra ChandrasekeraSwann’s Way - Marcel Proust (Lydia Davis translation)MeshuggahSan Diego SuperbloomNardelli’sZetsu No. 8 - Nishida JunRaves:Earth, Wind & Fire documentary trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: EPISODE 500!!! - The Return of Megan Arns
Jun 18Tap to summarizeEpisode 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’ websiteMegan Arns’ Mizzou pageSwitch~ Ensemble websiteBill KalinkosPrevious Megan Arns’s podcast appearances:Megan in 2016Megan in 2017Megan in 2018Previous Podcast Guests mentioned in this episode:John Parks IV in 2018Troy Hall in 2020Clif Walker in 2021Mark Ford in 2023William Moersch in 2019Joshua Simonds in 2022Other Links:Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum CorpsColts Drum & Bugle CorpsMichael BumpMichael BurrittRoyal Hartigan“Kakamora” from MoanaExperimental Media and Performing Arts TheaterKPop Demon Hunters trailerMoana trailerFrozen trailerWicked trailer“Takedown” from KPop Demon Hunters
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 499 - Matthew Hinkle
Jun 11Tap to summarizeEpisode 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 2016Julia Gaines-Montag in 2016Troy Hall in 2020Clif Walker in 2021Connor Stevens in 2021Other Links:Great Plains International Marimba Competition“Caleidoscopio” - Gene Kosinski“Canaries” - Elliot Carter“The Anvil Chorus” - David Lang“Khan Variations” - Alejandro Viñao“White Pines” - Michael BurrittThe Missouri SymphonyBlue Devils DCIFreedom Percussion WGI2019 Blue Devils showSebastian BuhtsDavid ArnsInterstellar trailerAnaconda trailerThe Percussionist’s Art - Steven SchickMeditations - Marcus AureliusGone With the Wind - Margaret MitchellMusashi’s DokkodoDOOM trailerDiablo IV trailerImo’s PizzaEin Heidenleben - Richard StraussRaves:I Love Boosters trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 498 - Sam Quinones
Jun 4Tap to summarizeEpisode 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’ websiteThe Perfect Tuba - Sam QuinonesOther Links:The Stockton RecordThe Los Angeles TimesJune 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 KennedysKillings - Calvin TrillinRobert CaroThe Corpse Had a Familiar Face - Edna BuchananOn Writing Well - William ZinsserNever Let Me Go - Kazuo IshiguroThe Godfather trailerThe Godfather Part II trailerGoodfellas trailer“Me and Billy the Kid” - Joe Ely“Space is The Place” - Sun RaQuarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town - Emmylou HarrisRaves:The Perfect Tuba - Sam Quinones
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 497 - Candice Hill
May 28Tap to summarizeEpisode 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 HillPrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Emily Lemmermann in 2019Julia Gaines-Montag in 2016Scott Cameron in 2016Liam Teague in 2025Rich Holly in 2020Raychel Taylor in 2020Amanda Duncan in 2023Elizabeth DeLamater in 2019Other Links:Matt Arnet“Tornado” - Mitch MarkovichJohn PattersonBlast!Al O’ConnorCliff Alexis“Because” - The Beatles“Island in the Sun” - Len “Boogsie” SharpeYuko AsadaMia Gormandy-BenjaminRobert ChappellScott McConnellDirty Dancing trailerUnheard Voices - Myrna NurseCricut crafts“Pan by Storm” - Skiffle BunchBen YanceyRaves:Michael trailer
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