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New York Spectacular at Radio City - Joshua Mark Samuels

Joshua Mark Samuels' setup for the New York Spectacular at Radio City.

Joshua Mark Samuels' setup for the New York Spectacular at Radio City.Joshua Mark Samuels' setup for the New York Spectacular at Radio City.Joshua Mark Samuels' setup for the New York Spectacular at Radio City.Joshua Mark Samuels' setup for the New York Spectacular at Radio City.Joshua Mark Samuels' setup for the New York Spectacular at Radio City.Joshua Mark Samuels' setup for the New York Spectacular at Radio City.Joshua Mark Samuels' setup for the New York Spectacular at Radio City.

"Because there were some tracks used in the show the writers wanted to have a very 'live' orchestra sound. Everything I am playing is acoustic (no electronics). For the drums I used a Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Kit. I like birch for pit playing as the wood is a bit softer and makes the attack a little less punchy. The cymbals are all Sabian (I am a proud endorser). I use mostly the Artisan Series with an HHX Stage Ride and a Paragon Splash. I also have a 17" Holy China.

There were a lot of other percussion instruments - both me and the percussionist had concert bass drums, as well as bongos and a bucket 'drum'. I also used some LP Jam Blocks, cowbells, temple blocks, wind chimes, shakers, concert tambourine, and a siren whistle for some sound effects. Also, if you notice money on the ground in some shots, those bills are not tips, rather they are from a song 'Money' where fake money is blown all over the stage, inevitably landing all over us musicians.

This show was incredible not just because the orchestra and music was fantastic, but also because during one number in the middle of the show, the percussionist and I got off the band car, changed into costumes and headed up to the stage where we ran down the aisle and performed bucket solos. We also danced in the audience and on the stairs of the stage as the cast sang a version of 'Empire State of Mind'. It was so exciting to actually be a part of the show.

All together it was an incredibly rewarding experience. Not just because I was playing in one of the biggest music halls in the world, and not just because I was featured onstage, but because this was the first production at Radio City where I held the drum chair. In past shows (Christmas and Heart and Lights at Radio City) I have had the percussion chair, not the drum chair. I often subbed for the drum chair in past productions but this was the first time I was able to make the show my own. It was wonderful working with David Holcenberg (Musical Director), Mia Michaels (Director), Billy Stein and AnnMarie Milazzo (Music Writers/Producers/Arrangers) in creating a drum part that added so much to the production. I hope to get to work with these incredibly talented people again soon!

Thanks to Mike Jenkins (Sound department) for the photos."

New York Spectacular at Radio City - Joshua Mark Samuels
August 2016

Joshua Mark Samuels' setup for the New York Spectacular at Radio City.

"Conducting a National Tour is incredibly challenging, but so rewarding. Stepping on to the podium with a new orchestra every few weeks really keeps you on your toes. Every player responds differently so you are constantly adjusting to get the desired result. I would compare it to playing a multi-percussion piece where the instruments are constantly moving."
"After a grueling four years at SUNY I still had one theory class left to finish. I was really depressed. A classmate of mine recommended me for a tour of a Broadway show. This completely changed the course of my life."
"When I first got the call to start working on Ain’t Too Proud - The Life And Times Of The Temptations, I was curious about which era the show was going to focus on. Their career began in the early 1960’s and they’re still releasing albums today."
"The timpani tunings are the real challenge of The Little Mermaid. Changing pitches must be done by feel, that was my biggest challenge. Memorizing the mallet parts was also very necessary."
"As you can see in the pictures, I prefer to have as much 'stuff' right in front of me, as close as possible. Because there are so many instruments close in, I have mounted a music stand off of the tom mount.
"Different from the tour, the original Broadway production had acoustic drums, an acoustic set of timbales, and an acoustic tambourine - the tambourine is now programmed in the SPD-SX."
  • 2 min read

Gene Krupa's drum solo from "Gene's Blues" from the album Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich released November 1955.

Steve Jordan's drum solo from the title track of the album Casa Loco.
Robbie Ameen's drum solo from the track "Spring Fling".

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