Jordan Perlson: The Art of Communication, Mastering Versatility, Fitness for Drummers, Drum Lessons & Home Recording

Welcome drummer, percussionist, producer and educator Jordan Perlson! Jordan's career has spanned about as wide a stylistic reach as one can imagine. Be it with jazz legends Seamus Blake, Gary Burton,  folk heroes Alison Brown and Missy Raines, reggae giants Matisyahu and Trevor Hall, cutting-edge music innovators like Becca Stevens, Snarky Puppy, Banda Magda and Jeff Coffin, or progressive music with Adrian Belew, Echolyn or Kaki King. Jordan has credits on 100+ recordings, including national and international ad campaigns for Powerade, Netflix, The NY Rangers, Buick and more. Jordan is a passionate educator, having authored 2 books for Mel Bay publishing which have been translated into several languages and are used around the world by teachers and students of many levels. 

This episode covers a wide range of topics, including physical fitness for drummers, the balance of life as a father, and Jordan’s extensive career—from studying at Berklee and playing with the Blue Man Group to becoming a published author. Jordan shares his methods for continuous self-improvement and offers advice for other drummers looking to expand their skillsets and land the gigs they truly want. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro 
2:42 Welcome, Jordan! 
3:07 Dad Life 
11:09 How to Pursue a Gig 
20:21 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
21:04 Jazz Influence 
45:23 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
46:05 Navigating the New York Music Scene 
49:48 Blue Man Group 
57:04 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
58:04 Fitness for Drummers 
1:05:12 Balancing Family and Career 
1:13:16 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
1:13:56 Publishing Drum Books 
1:19:26 Remote Recording Trends 
1:28:57 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 
1:32:21 Influences and Inspirations 
1:51:09 Closing Questions 
1:54:56 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com


Connect with Jordan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanperlsondrummer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.perlson
Website: https://jordanperlson-music.com

Music Featured in this Episode:
"True Minds" - Becca Stevens
"Formant Trajectories" - Jordan Perlson

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Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded May 2025 in Nashville, TN

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 2:42 Welcome, Jordan!
• 3:07 Dad Life
• 11:09 How to Pursue a Gig
• 20:21 Drum Box (Sponsor)
• 21:04 Jazz Influence
• 45:23 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
• 46:05 Navigating the New York Music Scene
• 49:48 Blue Man Group
• 57:04 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
• 58:04 Fitness for Drummers
• 1:05:12 Balancing Family and Career
• 1:13:16 Sonique Drums (Sponsor)
• 1:13:56 Publishing Drum Books
• 1:19:26 Remote Recording Trends
• 1:28:57 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
• 1:32:21 Influences and Inspirations
• 1:51:09 Closing Questions
• 1:54:56 Outro