Drummer Intensive Day L.A. 2009
Q&A with Phil Maturano

We sent some questions to Phil concerning the Drummer Intensive Day L.A. 2009, and he sent us back some answers. Cool, eh? His responses are presented unedited.

Hollywood Drum: As a former resident of Our Fair City, welcome back for your premier Drummer Intensive Day in L.A. Do you miss the West Coast, and how has your drumming-life changed since moving to New York?

Phil Maturano: Thank you! Well…to be honest …I don’t miss LA haha. I was born on the east coast and always retained my roots somehow. I always felt out of place in LA and the culture there never really appealed to me. I don’t want to start the typical West cost / East coast debate. But of course…things are much more intense in NY. I think NY changes everyone that comes here. As with every region of the world, there are stylistic differences in the music that you have to adapt to. The way cats set up. What kind of sound is expected from you. Some vocabulary and conceptual differences exist in much of the music as well.
Before moving to NY I lived in Europe for 6 years, so adapting in general was never an issue. Europe actually really changed my life in a personal sense. And in turn my music changed. I would say that Europe is almost an extension of NY in the musical/spiritual sense. Much more then LA is. I don’t know if that makes sense but…it’s a feeling. They appreciate depth there much more I think. That happens in NY much more as well.

HD: What is your education and playing background, and how did you come to doing clinics as an integral part of your career as a drummer?

Phil: Well I consider myself a street player. My family could never afford to send me to school. I studied with everyone I could possibly study with privately. My first teacher is the closest to my heart probably. Roy Mccurdy. He is the one that got me started in Jazz. I studied hands with Murray Spivak for a while and then of course went to PIT. This was in the heyday of the school. The old building. A lot of Jazz in the program etc. And no where near as expensive as it is now.

The clinics came about as a natural extension of what I was doing through the years. I never planned it. After I finished PIT I was hired by Steve Houghton to teach there. (Steve was another huge influence for me) Ended up teaching there for 11 years. During that time I wrote a book that evolved from exercises I made for the students and eventually became “Working the Inner Clock” and that turned into clinics… than I wrote another book and a video “ Latin soloing for the Drumset” and it snowballed from there. 19 years ago when I started with the books, clinics were not as wide spread as they are now. It was really organic and an extension of gigging along with the love I developed for teaching.

My background was so mixed because my family is from Argentina and some of my cousins are from Cuba so…it was a kind of diverse!:-) Of course I loved all the classic cats and dreamed of playing with Miles or Chick C .

HD: When did you begin organizing Drummer Intensive Days and what initiated the concept? Where have they taken place, and how have they evolved?

Phil: I started doing them about 3 years ago. I am somehow very drawn to teaching and it probably comes from the time spent in Argentina as a kid. When I lived there…there was absolutely no way I could take lessons. I was 10 years old. Argentina at that time was a total mess. The military government took over right after I arrived. My family very poor. And there was no one to study with. The local cats there at that time were …well…not very experienced. I was aching to study and learn, dreaming of the day I could be back in the US. That feeling never left me and in part its what gives me a good feeling about teaching. I especially love doing the “Intensive days” in places where there are not a lot of chances to study with experienced cats. They have taken place in big cities as well, but the most satisfaction I get is when they are in remote locations. We have had them in Germany, UK, New York …This last one I did was in Argentina. Sort of a home coming. A closing of a circle you might say. It was a 2 week event. The bisggest drum festival in South America this year! We toured the country. Pete Lockett from the UK was there , myself, Frank Briggs from LA, another wonderful player and GREAT teacher! And some local cats from the scene down there. Jota Morelli (Al Jarreau) And Gustavo Meli, probably the best know Argentine drummer. From MD festival etc
The event is evolving in the sense that more and more players want to be a part of it! Some great players from all over the world! Cliff Almond has done a few with me, Clayton Cameron, did one in NY with me. You can imagine it’s an honor for me to have cats want to be a part of an event I put together because of my background and dreams I had as a kid.

HD: What prompted your decision to organize the L.A. incarnation of the event, and what is the story behind selecting the other clinicians who will be joining you?

Phil: It just so happens that I have to be in LA for family reasons. Of course some cats found out I was going and asked for lessons. I said ok…what the heck…Its time for an “LA Drummers Intensive day”! As simple as that.
As far as selecting guys to take part, I have been talking with a lot of cats that want to do it. Luis Conte who was one of the cats who really changed my life in the Drumming world…always stays in touch and we have been talking about it for some time now. I have been wanting to take him to other countires and to other events but, scheduling is not easy at all. So the LA thing came around and he just said yes!!!! Of course, it’s a great thrill that he will be there.

HD: How many participants are ideal for a Drummer Intensive Day workshop, and what range of experience level is appropriate?

Phil: I would say around 40 guys is the limit. It’s a very personal thing that we do and its very interactive. I want cats to walk away from this and feel like they really did some good work! That they got to really have personal attention and really feel like they got a LOT of information out of it. That’s why its called Intensive day!

HD: What exactly can these drummers expect out of the day? What is the format, how long is it, what topics will be covered, etc.?

Phil: The central concept of the “Drummers Intensive Day” is to provide students with playing time in front of some of the best players in the world. In a clinic setting we have the opportunity to see experienced players play, showcase equipment, give playing ideas and inspiration. But only 2 hours of watching someone play can leave lots of holes and questions. And of course there is no time for participants to get up and play and have feedback in any way. Maybe many drummers are also hesitant to ask questions because of fear or they are simply too shy. I found that this problem is overcome by putting sticks in that persons hands and saying…”lets hear where you are”. This removes all inhibitions and lets us all share the joy of our journey in drumming. While getting the best advice from experienced players in a setting that is both constructive, musically safe and has the best outcome for the participant in mind.

It’s a six 6 hour course, the hosts will guide participants through the area in which they have outstanding expertise. Participants not only watch and learn but also take part! When you are at a Drummers intensive day…be ready to play! When you attend, you must be ready to play on drumset and in front of everyone at the event. You will play to backing tracks, and play along with the instructor. You will then receive feedback from them as well as your fellow participants. That is what makes this event unique. We have plenty of time to accommodate all questions and explore the subject matter at hand deeply and thoroughly.

In general the topics are:
Jazz (Independence and Phrasing)
Latin (styles concept / Independence, Vocabulary and Phrasing)
Contemporary Drumset Independence and styles
Hand technique – In depth rebound stroke studies and general technique
Inner Clock Studies
Chart reading
Improve concepts
Learning how to Practice

But I do accommodate the subjects according to who is there to some degree.

I would say that a full variety of levels are welcome. Cats that are very beginners can get TONS out of watching more experienced guys play and get put through their paces. Although they might not play as much as the intermediate and advanced guys. They will still get all the material, all the insight and a heck of an experience! Of course they make contacts there too wich can lead to many things for them.

HD: What satisfaction do you personally take from these events?

Phil: It’s a very deep satisfaction, knowing that I can somehow be in touch with the art of drumming on every possible level. From performance to teaching. Also, somewhere deep down…maybe I feel like there might be someone out there…like the way I was…burning to play but with no financial resources to pay for a huge school. If I can reach those cats…I am very happy.

HD: If there were a one sentence mission statement for Drummer Intensive Day, what would it be?

Phil: Live to play.

HD: Down to business: How do interested drummers secure a spot for Drummer Intensive Day in L.A.?

Phil: They can sign up at the official page. There is a link to buy your ticket and everything:
Drummer Intensive Day 2009

HD: Finally, tell us a story. A remarkably strange, funny, or inspirational tale from one the events, perhaps? Feel free to leave out actual names, if necessary. Phonetically-rhymed names will suffice.

Phil: At one of the events in Europe, there was a Russian business man…very very wealthy. He came up to me after the event, was very grateful, and basically in tears, said…
“I would give everything I have now, If I could have my dream of being a drummer back!”

That haunts me to this day. It inspires through the rough days. Makes me grateful for everything I have been able to do so far.

Drummer Intensive Day L.A. will be held Saturday August 8th, 2009 with guest clinician Luis Conte at L.A. Music Academy.