Our own contributing lesson columnist Paul Wandtke, recently had the chance to sit down with Rod Morgenstein and ask a few questions…
Paul: Hey Rod, how are you? Heard you’ve been busy with a lot of different things. Tell us what’s on your plate…
Rod: I just got home from Sweden. Winger played the Sweden Rock Festival and now we’re gearing up for some US gigs throughout the summer.
Paul: How’s Jelly Jam doing?
Rod: In May, The Jelly Jam (Dream Theater’s John Myung on bass and King’s X guitarist/vox Ty Tabor and me on drums) convened in PA to write and cut basic tracks for a new cd. This will be the band’s 3rd release, hopefully to be released early 2011. The band, which has yet to play a live gig, is talking about touring for this one.
Paul: Dude, you still rocking with Jorden Rudess?
Rod: Jordan Rudess and I will try and finish up a Rudess Morgenstein Project recording this fall, also for a 2011 release. We’re also getting ready to release 3 songs which show a mellower, easy-listening side compared to the progressive/fusion thing we do.
Paul: How about Jazz is Dead? That’s great stuff!
Rod: Jazz Is Dead is at the mixing stage of a new cd which has been in the can for a couple of years. It will actually be the band’s first studio recording, as the previous 3 releases were all recorded live in concert.
Paul: Don’t wanna keep you too long with this interview but how about the Dixie Dregs? What’s new?
Rod: The Dixie Dregs will tour as soon as all 5 band members’ schedules line up. It isn’t easy when everyone plays in so many different bands. At times, it can be a logistical nightmare.
Paul: Anything else you wanna mention?
Rod: Over the past couple of years, I worked on creating rock oriented materials for the percussion department at Berklee. I plan on using tons of this material with my students, as I hope other teachers in the department will, too.
Paul: Oh yeah, I heard about that when I was at Berklee and I regret never asking you in person what it was all about!
Rod: Indeed.
Paul: Thanks so much Rod!
Be sure to keep up with Rod here: http://www.rodmorgenstein.com/index.html
Check out this brief Evans promo clip with Rod Morgenstein and Paul Wandtke:
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