ABOP PODCASTS
ABOP Podcasts feature conversations about life, learning experiences, music, and a dash of drums—lively discussions with friends and colleagues from the world of percussion. Podcasts are published monthly and are available here on the ABOP Website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Blubrry, etc.
Ep. 8: JOSH JONES
April 16, 2024
42 min
Episode 8 of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) Podcast series features an interview with ABOP Founder and Grant Park Symphony Principal Percussionist, Josh Jones. Hosted by ABOP Founder Raynor Carroll, Josh talks about:
- First drumset (01:22)
- Developing a practice routine at an early age (11:51)
- I can do this! (20:21)
- Favorite composers (23:55)
- Social Media (25:54)
- Embarrassing moments on stage (28:30)
- Memorable moments on stage (30:45)
- The ideal gig (31:56)
- Where am I in 10 years? (35:04)
- Life without music? (37:07)
Ep. 7: FOUNDERS ROUNDTABLE II
March 13, 2024
1 hour 13 mins
Episode 7 features a roundtable discussion with ABOP Founders, Tim Adams, Douglas Cardwell, Michael Crusoe, Josh Jones, Johnny Lee Lane, and the host, Raynor Carroll. This roundtable discussion continues the theme from the first Founders Podcast (Episode 3): Our Respective Journeys; how they differed and how they were the same. This discussion helped to form the foundation for ABOP’s Mentorship Program. Topics include:
- What characteristics do you see in yourself that have been vital to pursuing your goal? (01:39)
- What were the important things that you did that others did not do? (02:48)
- Score study (04:04)
- Richard Weiner (12:03)
- What were some of the obstacles that you faced and how did you overcome them? (15:10)
- “Make room for percussion.” (16:02)
- How do you maintain your focus? (31:09)
- “I dated drums.” (31:35)
- Did you excel in high school? (36:32)
- “I’ll learn how to lucid dream so I can practice in my sleep.” (48:11)
- “It’s not how you fall, it’s how you get up.” (58:57)
- “Every job that I’ve won, I’ve stepped on something huge.” (1:00:53)
- What would you tell your younger self? (1:06:31)
Ep. 6: ABOP PROTÉGÉS
February 16, 2024
1 hour 6 mins
Episode 6 features a conversation with ABOP Protégés, Torrance Buntyn Jr., Jakalin Bryant, London Johnson, and special guest, Andrea Stain. Torrance leads a conversation about their experiences as young Black percussionists. Topics include:
- How they got started in percussion (02:20)
- Inspirations (08:32)
- Fresno County, Racism (21:44)
- “Making fun of black women was a sport.” (24:10)
- “I don’t see posters of people that look like me.” (31:24)
- Transitioning from an HBCU to SMU (37:28)
- Transitioning from Mississippi to California (42:22)
- Black musician at Valdosta State University (49:02)
- “People can respect me as a musician.” (52:38)
- Mental health resources (53:51)
- Final thoughts (59:21)
Ep. 5: michael crusoe
January 16, 2024
51 min 28 sec
Episode 5 features a discussion with ABOP Founder, Michael Crusoe. Along with the host, Raynor Carroll, Mr. Crusoe shares his experiences on and off stage as Principal Timpanist of the Seattle Symphony. Topics include:
- Seattle: symphony, opera, and soundtrack recording (01:25)
- Growing up in St. Louis (12:47)
- Interest in classical music (13:44)
- Studying with O’Donnell, Stubbs, and Holmes (15:27)
- Teaching at the University of Washington (21:41)
- Memorable and forgettable moments on stage (25:03)
- William Schuman catalog (27:19)
- Timpani and mallets used (30:58)
- Music is a progressive art (36:14)
- Small drums and wood sticks (38:22)
- I’m not going to play if… (47:39)
Ep. 4: Douglas Cardwell
December 20, 2023
51 min 38 sec
Episode 4 features a discussion with ABOP Founder and Mentor, Douglas Cardwell. Along with the host, Raynor Carroll, Mr. Cardwell talks about:
- Lotus Sound Bath (03:09)
- Growing up in Virginia (14:38)
- Why the drums? (18:02)
- Why classical music? (22:20)
- Being a Black classical musician (31:07)
- Mentorship, respect for percussion (33:25)
- Documenting incidents (39:40)
- Favorite/ideal gigs (43:48)
Ep. 3: Founders Roundtable
November 17, 2023
1 hr 2 min 20 sec
Episode 3 features a roundtable discussion with five ABOP Founders:
Tim Adams, former Principal Timpanist, Pittsburgh Symphony
Douglas Cardwell, former Principal Timpanist, New Mexico Philharmonic
Michael Crusoe, former Principal Timpanist, Seattle Symphony
Josh Jones, former Principal Percussionist, Kansas City Philharmonic
Raynor Carroll, former Principal Percussionist, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Podcast Host
The Founders, all Black classically trained musicians, share their stories on the factors and elements that aided and guided them in reaching their goals.
Ep. 2: Part 2 with
Professor Johnny Lee Lane
October 18, 2023
41 min 35 sec
Part 2 of a two-part conversation with Professor Johnny Lee Lane. Prof Lane, known to many as one of the nation’s foremost college percussion educators, talks about the US Percussion Camp, how he connects with and prepares his students, and his thoughts on being inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.
Co-hosted by Raynor Carroll and Dr. Don Parker.
Ep. 1: Part 1 with
Professor Johnny Lee Lane
October 18, 2023
58 min 13 sec
Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Professor Johnny Lee Lane. Prof Lane, known to many as one of the nation’s foremost college percussion educators, talks about his early influences, education, and positions with Tennessee State University, and Eastern Illinois University.
Co-hosted by Raynor Carroll and Dr. Don Parker.