"Drum Master" Michael Tate Interview
Hear3DMusic.com
Interview by Roger Zee (08/16/21)
Roger Zee: Who inspired you to pick up the drums? Do you sing or play any other instruments?
Michael Tate: Well, at age six, I saw a conga drummer play in St. Thomas that hooked me on drumming. Never knew his name, but he hit a great drum and wore a fantastic red velvet suit. Quite an eclectic group of drum set players that influenced me. Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Steve Gadd, my teacher and friend Yogi Horton, Frankie Malabe, and Jim Chapin.
I sing background vocals in Spanish and Spanglish, good enough to write the original songs. The core of our group, 3D Rhythm of Life, sings backgrounds in Spanish on forty plus songs.
I play percussion and basic piano for writing purposes. Everything's at ballad tempo for right now. You won’t catch me sitting in on any Jazz jams anytime soon! I'm a drummer and bandleader who loves composing music in many styles.
RZ: Tell me about some of the musicians and groups you've gigged and recorded with.
MT: My main working and recording group is 3D Rhythm of Life. Other people I have performed with include Kid Creole and the Coconuts (where I met my good friend Charlie Lagond), Cissy Houston’s NJ Mass Choir, John Blake, Michael Urbaniak,
Herman Olivera, Cab Calloway, NJ Ballet, Woody Allen, Drifters, Coasters, Tokens, etc.
RZ: What drums do you currently use?
MT: I play Fibes and Gretsch drums. Various Zildjian cymbals. LP percussion.
RZ: Talk about what and how you practice.
MT: I work on rhythm and phrasing. Listen to all kinds of music. Always a student of music!
RZ: Do you teach music privately?
MT: Not anymore. But I do miss it. Different world today.
RZ: How has the Pandemic affected you? What's on the horizon?
MT: Well, like everyone else, I lost a lot of work as well as the business momentum of my group. However the last one and a half years provided me the time to work on my piano skills, and I wrote a lot of songs. Basically, the band has enough material to record seven records. Just need the money to do it now!
We could do two Christmas recordings, two original recordings, and three cover records along the lines of our newest commercial release, Fantasy, a tribute to Earth Wind and Fire has over 1.3 million real views on YouTube. I just released a very special promo video up on You Tube called, Marc Anthony’s next 5 hits!"
RZ: Describe your most special and/or unusual gig.
MT: My most special memories would be opening up for Eddie Palmieri, Chaka Khan, and performing at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater.
RZ: How do you see the future of the music business?
MT: It's the Wild West out there. We need of some real leadership and evolution. The people that create the content must stand up and stop giving away their skills and product. I'm talking about musicians who pay their bills from this profession.
To many artists have fallen prey to wanting exposure and validation. It's a tough business for many income streams have dried up. As professional artists, we need to take control over our business.
RZ: What advice do you give up-and-coming musicians?
MT: Learn as much as you can about ALL styles of music as well as the business. Study psychology and human relations. You will need it, no joke!
RZ: Do you live with any animals?
MT: Not right now. But I LOVE DOGS. One day two German Shepherds.
RZ: Where can people contact 3D Rhythm of Life?
MT:
1) Website EPK - Hear3DMusic.com/
2) Facebook - www.Facebook.com/3DRhythmOfLife
3) Instagram - www.Instagram.com/3DRhythmOfLife
YouTube - Fantasy - 3D Rhythm of Life
YouTube - Queiro Saber - 3D Rhythm of Life
©2021 Roger Zee
