SCOTT AMENDOLA

Shows

TOUR DATES ARCHIVE (APRIL 2008 – JUNE 2017)

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Bands

Scott’s involved in various working bands including: The Scott Amendola Band, Charlie Hunter/Scott Amendola Duo, The Nels Cline Singers, Nels Cline and Scott Amendola are Stretch Woven, Invisible Bird, and Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane.

STICKLERPHONICS:
Raffi Garabedian: tenor saxophone
Danny Lubin-Laden: trombone
Scott Amendola: drums/percussion/electronics

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The brass-powered East Bay trio – SticklerPhonics – explores a world of brass ‘n’ skin possibilities.

Scott Amendola, the drummer, composer and bandleader who’s been a creative force on the Bay Area jazz scene (and far beyond) for the past three decades, knows all about the power of subtraction. His new stripped-down trio SticklerPhonics brings together long-time collaborators Raffi Garabedian on tenor saxophone and trombonist Danny Lubin-Laden, NewYork-seasoned improvisers who’ve worked together since their formative years in the vaunted Berkeley High Jazz Band, circa 2003.

The trio has plunged into the unmediated terrain that opens up in the absence of the usual guidelines,“a situation where there’s no bass and no chords,” Amendola said. “The sound is ever evolving.We’re really settling in, but there’s also the feeling like there are places to go. We’ve been adding my electronics and Danny bringing in a little looper. We’re just getting started.”

With all three players contributing original compositions, SticklerPhonics is a volatile combo that can draw on a vast continuum of jazz practices, from traditional jazz polyphony and ambient soundscapes to funk and free jazz.Amendola, who first gained national attention in the Grammy-nominated three-guitar and drums band T.J.Kirk, has a deep well of experience in unusual instrumental settings.His long-running duo with Hammond B-3organist Wil Blades got its start when they developed an impressively detailed version of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s late masterpiece Far East Suite.

There aren’t many models to follow for SticklerPhonics, though Barondown with tenor saxophonist Ellery Eskelin and trombonist Steve Swell is a major source of inspiration. “Scott hipped me to that group,” said Garabedian. “It’s fun to be in this almost uncomfortable situation. You need melody, rhythm,and harmony, and the challenge is how can you successfully get all that with what you’re working with.”

Graduates to the New School who have both released ambitious albums of their own, Garadedian and Lubin-Laden co-led Brass Magic, a stylistically omnivorous, horn-laden band that melded funk and rock, R&B and an array of international brass band idioms. Their deep connection on and off the bandstand informs the music of SticklerPhonics, which continues to calibrate different approaches for various spaces.

“We had this chemistry right awayas teenagers,” Lubin-Laden said.“It seems like Scott is in a very similar place to us musically. SticklerPhonics feels very exposed, but there’s this freedom in being able to accompany each other when we take solos.And Scott is the miracle glue for the whole thing. He’s such a force of nature as a drummer.

”Born in New Jersey and long based in Berkeley, Amendola has woven a dense and far-reaching web of bandstand relationships that tie him to leading artists in jazz, blues, rock, new music and beyond.A creative catalyst as a bandleader, composer, and accompanist, he’s collaborated closely with artists such as guitarists Nels Cline, Jeff Parker, John Schott and Charlie Hunter, organist Wil Blades, violinists Jenny Scheinman and Regina Carter, saxophonists Larry Ochs and Phillip Greenlief, and clarinetist Ben Goldberg, players who’ve all forged singular paths within and beyond the realm of jazz. He’s led or co-led some two dozen albums and contributed to more than 100 recordings.

A Berkeley native now living in Oakland,Lubin-Laden studied with Art Baron, Alan Ferber, Lee Konitz and Ambrose Akinmusirie at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. In addition to SticklerPhonics,he performs in a wide array of settings, including the Jackie McLean repertory band JACKNIFE, Oakland R&B legend Johnny Talbot and DeThangs, the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, and Brass Magic, the stylistically encompassing ensemble he co-led with Raffi Garabedian. Healso leads his own projects.

Born and raised in Berkeley, Garabedian studied with jazz heavyweights such as Tony Malaby, Mark Turner, Chris Cheek, Bill McHenry and Andrew Cyrille at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.He’s recorded and performed with a variety of artists, including Jorge Rossy, Ben Street,Dayna Stephens, and R&B innovatorJohnny Talbot. He can be found playing around the Bay Area with the ElectricSqueezebox Orchestra and leading his own quartet and octet, and also performs with his brother, New York bassist Noah Garabedian.

ALL PHOTOS BY LENNY GONZALEZ

 

AMENDOLA vs. BLADES:
Scott Amendola: drums/percussion/electronics
Wil Blades: Hammond B3/Clavinet

“Sometimes it just ridiculous how much sonic space Scott Amendola and Wil Blades alone can fill up in a room. Freakishly funky and soul satisfying, this dynamic duo push the limits while having too much fun doing it.” Something Else Reviews

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Recording / Teaching

I’ve got a great home setup for recording and teaching. My studio has a Pro Tools set up that sounds amazing. Along with some incredible sounding, and flexible gear, I can track drum set, percussion, and electronics.

I’m available for private study, workshops, or clinics. Private lessons via FaceTime, or Skype works great. I live in the bay area for in person lessons.

GIVE ME A SHOUT IF INTERESTED

Media

VISIT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Press Kit

ALL PHOTOS BY LENNY GONZALEZ

“Amendola’s music is consistently engaging, both emotionally and intellectually, the product of a fertile and inventive musical imagination.” Los Angeles Times

“If Scott Amendola didn’t exist, the San Francisco music scene would have to invent him.”
Derk Richardson, San Francisco Bay Guardian

“Amendola has complete mastery of every piece of his drumset and the ability to create a plethora of sounds using sticks, brushes, mallets, and even his hands.” Steven Raphael, Modern Drummer 

“…drummer/signal-treater Scott Amendola is both a tyrant of heavy rhythm and an electric-haired antenna for outworldly messages (not a standard combination).” Greg Burk, LA Weekly

For Scott Amendola, the drum kit isn’t so much an instrument as a musical portal. As an ambitious composer, savvy bandleader, electronics explorer, first-call accompanist and capaciously creative foil for some of the world’s most inventive musicians, Amendola applies his wide-ranging rhythmic virtuosity to a vast array of settings. His closest musical associates include guitarists Charlie Hunter, Nels Cline, and Jeff Parker, Hammond B-3 organist Wil Blades, violinist Jenny Scheinman, saxophonist Phillip Greenlief, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, bassists Trevor Dunn, and Todd Sickafoose, players who have each forged a singular path within and beyond the realm of jazz.

While rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area scene, Amendola has woven a dense and far-reaching web of bandstand relationships that tie him to influential artists in jazz, blues, rock and new music. A potent creative catalyst, the Berkeley-based drummer is the nexus for a disparate community of musicians stretching from Los Angeles and Seattle to Chicago and New York. Whatever the context, Amendola possesses a gift for twisting musical genres in unexpected directions.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Amendola has forged deep ties across the country, and throughout the world. As an ambitious composer, savvy bandleader, electronics explorer, first-call accompanist, and capaciously creative foil for some of the world’s most inventive musicians, Amendola applies his wide-ranging rhythmic virtuosity to a vast array of settings

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Audio

Discography

OTHER RECORDINGS

Other Recordings


SCOTT AMENDOLA, HENRY KAISER, MICHAEL MANRING
HAUNTED BY ETERNITY
(2023)

MINUS X
A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF IANNIS XENAKIS
(2023)

SCOTT SAWYER
CHANGE OF SCENE
(2022)

AMENDOLA-HOOPES-SHARP-ZORZI
FOUR CORNERS MAKE A CIRCLE
(2022)

HENRY KAISER
AT ONE TIME (IMPROVISATIONS FOR CECIL TAYLOR)
(2021)

THE GOOD LIFE
THE ANIMALS TOOK OVER
(2020)

THOMAS DIMUZIO
BALANCE
(2020)

RACHEL GARLIN
MONDEGREENS
(2020)

OWEN MAERCKS
KINDS OF BLUE
(2018)

CRIS WILLIAMSON
MOTHERLAND
(2017)

SARA LOVELL
YOU’VE GOT ME
(2016)

THE FAMOUS
GHOST TOWN PARADE
(2015)

BLACK BONES
WAKE UP (Producer)
(2015)

CHARLIE HUNTER & SCOTT AMENDOLA
THE CARS, HANK WILLIAMS, DUKE ELLINGTON & COLE PORTER
(2014)

NELS CLINE SINGERS
MACROSCOPE
(2014)

SCOTT ARNOLD
45
(2014)
(drums/electronics/producer)

NAD (ROBERTO ZORZI)
DONGEREU XORCISMS
(2014)

BEN JENCKS
THINKING OF YOU
(2014)

BEN GOLDBERG
SUBATOMIC PARTICLE HOMESICK BLUES
(2013)

ELI GOOD
El BILY SLON
(2013)

CHARLIE HUNTER & SCOTT AMENDOLA
NOT GETTING BEHIND IS THE NEW GETTING AHEAD
(2012)

KIHNOUA
THE SYBIL’S WHISPER
(2012)

JENNIFER BEREZAN
HOME
(2012)

MARIA MARQUEZ
TONADA
(2012)

NELS CLINE
DIRTY BABY
(2010)

NELS CLINE SINGERS
INITIATE
(2010)

RICK AND AIREEN
TEN TON FEATHER
(2010)

ROVA AND NELS CLINE SINGERS
THE CELESTIAL SEPTET
(2010)

LARRY OCHS
WILD RED YELLOW
(2010)

KIHNOUA
UNAUTHORIZED CAPRICES
(2010)

GIOVANNI MAIER
THE TALKING BASS
(2010)

CRYSTAL MONEE HALL
RIVER TRAIN
(2010)

WD-41+2
TEMI PER CINEMA
(2010)

VALERIE ORTH
FARAWAY CITY
(2010)

LARRY OCHS SAX & DRUMMING CORE
STONE SHIFT
(2009)

STEVE ADAMS TRIO
SURFACE TENSION
(2009)

ELI GOOD
SUBMARINE BY HORSES
(2009)

BILL FRISELL
ALL HAT
(2008)

ROSS HAMMOND
DUETS
(2008)

THE BOTTESINI PROJECT
BOTTESINI
(2008)

STEVE DAWSON
TELESCOPE
(2008)

STEVE DAWSON
WAITING FOR THE LIGHTS TO COME UP
(2008)

ALAN PASQUA
ANTI-SOCIAL CLUB
(2008)

ROSS HAMMOND
TEAKAYO MISSION
(2007)

CRIS WILLIAMSON
FRINGE
(2007)

GYAN RILEY
MELISMANTRA
(2007)

LARRY OCHS SAX & DRUMMING CORE
UP FROM UNDER
(2007)

JAMES HARRIES
DAYS LIKE THESE
(2007)

DAVID WITHAM
SPINNING THE CIRCLE
(2007)

NELS CLINE SINGERS
DRAW BREATH
(2007)

JOHN ETTINGER
KISSINGER IN SPACE
(2006)

MADELEINE PEYROUX
HALF THE PERFECT WORLD
(2006)

STEPHEN BERNSTEIN
DIASPORA SUITE
(2006)

STEPHEN YERKEY
META NEO NATURE BOY
(2006)

NELS CLINE
NEW MONASTERY
(2006)

ELI GOOD
BRIDE OF THE BULL
(2005)

JENNIFER BEREZAN
END OF DESIRE
(2005)

ORENDA FINK
INVISIBLE ONES
(2005)

JESSICA LURIE
LICORICE & SMOKE
(2005)

LENKA DUSILOVA
MEZI SVETY
(2005)

REBECCA PIDGEON
TOUGH ON CRIME
(2005)

ROVA :: ORKESTROVA
AN ALLIGATOR IN YOUR WALLET
(2004)

NELS CLINE SINGERS
THE GIANT PIN
(2004)

MADELEINE PEYROUX
CARELESS LOVE
(2004)

AMY CORREIA
LAKEVILLE
(2004)

RED POCKET
THICK
(2004)

CARLA BOZULICH
I’M GONNA STOP KILLING
(2004)

JOHN ZORN
VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS
(2003)

KELLY JOE PHELPS
SLINGSHOT PROFESSIONALS
(2003)

ODESSA CHEN
ONE ROOM PALACE
(2003)

CARLA BOZULICH
RED HEADED STRANGER
(2003)

PLAIN JANE TRIO
I GORGONA
(2003)

JOHN ETTINGER
AUGUST RAIN
(2003)

AVI BORTNICK
CLEAN SLATE
(2003)

DAVE LIEBMAN & MIKE ZILBER
LIVE AT THE JAZZSCHOOL
(2003)

DAVID HOwARD
DAVID HOwARD
(2002)

L. STINKBUG
THE ALLURE OF ROADSIDE CURIOS
(2002)

NELS CLINE SINGERS
INSTRUMENTALS
(2002)

TONY FURTADO
AMERICAN GYPSY
(2002)

NOE VENABLE
BOOTS
(2002)

JESSICA LURIE ENSEMBLE
!ZIPA BUKA!
(2002)

LARRY OCHS SAX & DRUMMING CORE
THE NEON TRUTH
(2002)

JIM CAMPILONGO
LIVE AT THE DU NORD
(2001)

TONY FURTADO BAND
(2001)

JENNY SCHEINMAN QUARTET
LIVE AT YOSHI’S
(2000)

JOHN SCHOTT
SHUFFLE PLAY
(2000)

GRAHAM CONNAH
BECAUSE OF WAYNE / THE ONLY SONG WE KNOW
(2000)

MYLES BOISEN
SCRAMBLEDISC
(2000)

G. E. STINSON
VAPOR
(1999)

SCOTT HILL
STEPS
(1999)

PAUL PLIMLEY TRIO
SAFE-CRACKER
(1999)

CHARLIE HUNTER & POUND FOR POUND
RETURN OF THE CANDYMAN
(1998)

NOE VENABLE
NO CURSES HERE
(1998)

WILL BERNARD
4-TET
MEDICINE HAT
(1998)

CALDER SPANIER
THE CALDER PROJECT
(1998)

HERBIE KOPF
WHO SHOT THE PIANO-PLAYER?
(1998)

JENNY SCHEINMAN QUARTET
THE DJANGO PROJECT
(1998)

PAT MARTINO
ALL SIDES NOW
(1997)

CHARLIE HUNTER QUARTET
NATTY DREAD
(1997)

CHARLIE HUNTER QUARTET
READY…SET… SHANGO!
(1996)

JOEL HARRISON
3 + 3 = 7
(1996)

ACTION PLUS
ACTION PLUS
(1996)

SONYA HUNTER
FINDERS KEEPERS
(1995)

STEPHEN YERKEY
CONFIDENCE, MAN
(1995)

Gear I Dig

Activism

Contact

JOIN SCOTT'S MAILING LIST

Booking

Rick DiDia
New Routes Booking
newroutesbooking@gmail.com

Lessons/General Inquiry

scottainfo@icloud.com