Working Drummer

Originally from Merrick, NY, Marc Slutsky built his reputation as both a touring and studio drummer, working with a wide range of internationally recognized artists.

Marc first gained broader visibility performing with Splender, a late-1990s/early-2000s alternative rock band signed to Columbia Records. The bands first album “Halfway Down The Sky” was produced by Todd Rundgren. The group achieved chart success with their singles “Yeah, Whatever” and “I Think God Can Explain,” helping establish Marc as a solid and expressive drummer. Splender made a second album on Clive Davis’s J records “To Whom It May Concern” which featured Slutsky’s drumming further.

After Splender, Slutsky became a highly in-demand touring and session musician.

Over the years he has performed, recorded, or toured with artists including: Peter Murphy, Bauhaus, Adam Ant, Puddle Of Mudd, Kylie Minogue, Delta Goodrem, The Calling, Sons Of Silver, Alexa Ray Joel, Tom Morello (RATM), Terri Nunn (Berlin), Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Hugo, Gavin Degraw

In addition, Slutsky has appeared extensively on TV including shows such as X-Factor, The View, Good Morning America, Queen Latifah Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Last Call with Carson Daily, Late Show with David Letterman, Wendy Williams Show, 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting (NBC) with Kylie Minogue, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

In this episode, Marc talks about:

    Unique challenges to touring internationally

    Making sure to play great every time, every gig

    Staying curious and always learning

    Practicing on things at the micro level

    Drumming for the legend Peter Murphy (Bauhaus)

    Playing as a member of the band Splender when he was young        

    Working with Todd Rundgren as a producer

    Learning how to record from your peers

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Jeff Hamilton attended Indiana University and later studied with John Von Ohlen. Hamilton was influenced by Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, “Philly” Joe Jones, and Shelly Manne. In 1974, he got his first big break playing with the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He then joined Lionel Hampton’s Band until 1975 when he, along with bassist John Clayton, became members of the Monty Alexander Trio. He attained a childhood goal in 1977 when he joined Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd, with whom he made several recordings. In 1978, he was offered a position in the L.A.4. with Ray Brown, Bud Shank, and Laurindo Almeida. He recorded 6 albums with the L.A.4.

From 1983-1987, he performed with Ella Fitzgerald, the Count Basie Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, and Monty Alexander. Hamilton began his association with the Ray Brown Trio in 1988 and left in March of 1995 to concentrate on his own trio. From 1990-1995, he was also a member of the Oscar Peterson Quartet w/Herb Ellis and Ray Brown. Hamilton has toured with his own trio, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and Diana Krall. The latest CHJO recording LA Treasures was nominated for a GRAMMY. Hamilton has been on more than 300 recordings with artists such as Ray Brown, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Milt Jackson, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Mel Torme, John Pizzarelli, Dr. John, Paul McCartney, and many others. He appeared in Diana Krall’s Live in Paris and Rio DVDs. He is a four time winner of Modern Drummer magazine Readers’ Poll.

In this episode, Jeff talks about:

How the role of a mentor is to see problems and potential you can’t see in yourself 

Why sound is just as important as content 

His thoughts on the music business vs. the drumming business

The great bassists he has played with, including Ray Brown and John Clayton 

His criteria for hiring band members 

Playing with Akiko Tsuruga and matching the intensity of the B3 organ, “a one man big band”

The importance of letting humor and joy show in his playing 

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As SABIAN’s Director of Artist & Public Relations, Chris Stankee leads the charge in shaping and nurturing the company’s artist program on a worldwide scale. His responsibilities span from talent recruitment to artist development and support, all while playing a pivotal role in product development and elevating SABIAN’s presence across social media platforms.

In this episode, Chris talks about:

    The Sabian Podcast

    Chris' formative years from Berklee to life on tour

    Interning at Yamaha

    Events that lead to his work at Sabian

    The unique steps to creating cymbals

    Understanding trends in sounds and making it attainable

    Working with artists that are hands-on in the R&D department

    The stick/cymbal relationship

    Sabian lore

    Memories of Neil Peart

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Nate had been a fixture on the Nashville scene for 14 years and recently landed the proverbial big gig. He found himself in Zach Top’s drum chair when Zach was an opening act in thousand cap rooms, and the whole operation was very DIY. Not long after, Zach’s popularity exploded make him an international arena and stadium headliner seemingly overnight, and he took Nate and the rest of his band with him.

In this episode, Nate talks about:

Feeling a buzz around Zach Top from the moment he joined the band

The show that made them realize they were huge

The learning curves that come with the big gig

How his approach to songs happened to match perfectly with Zach’s needs as a frontman

The evolving pay situation 

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Originally from Fort Bragg, California, Zoltan Tobak started playing drums at an early age. After years of performing throughout California as well as attending the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, he relocated to Nashville in 2014 to pursue music full time.

Since 2016, Zoltan has been the live and studio drummer for Muscadine Bloodline, performing extensively and recording five full-length albums. Beyond touring, he stays active in the Nashville community, playing and recording across a range of projects.

In this episode, Zoltan talks about:

    Managing your social media presence

    His unique name

    His move from Northern California to Nashville TN

    Taking a career growing gig vs taking a gig for money only

    Drumming for Muscadine Bloodline

    The power of space between notes

    Filling in last minute on a major tour

    Matt and Zoltan’s shared love of Family Feud

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