Sick Drummer Magazine

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: