#VFJams

In January 2018, Vic Firth hosted its first ever #vfJAMS LIVE recording session at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, California. This amazing event showcased some the world’s top drummers performing with Robert “Sput” Searight and the all-star vfJAMS Band!
Episode 1 - Matt Garstka
Song - "G'ska Funk"
Throughout this year, we will feature full performances, interviews, transcriptions, play-along tracks and prize giveaways. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to Vic’s KZbin and social media channels so you won’t miss out - and mark your calendars for the #vfJAMS LIVE performance schedule!
DOWNLOAD PLAY-ALONG TRACKS AND TRANSCRIPTIONS!
vicfirth.com/vf...
Special thanks to Livemix for providing the monitoring system.
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STICKS:
#vfSGAR - Matt Garstka Signature
vicfirth.com/pr...
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The vfJAMS Band:
Robert "Sput" Searight - Keys / Musical Director
Weedie Braimah - Percussion
Joe Cleveland - Bass
Mark Lettieri - Guitar
Nicholas Semrad - Keys
Jonathan Mones - Alto Sax / Flute
Ben Burget - Tenor Sax / Flute / Trumpet
Sylvester Onyejiaka - Bari Sax / Flute
Ryan Porter - Trombone
Brandon Phillips - Trumpet
Ruben Lael - Vocals
Elise Testone - Vocals
Amanda Maxfield - Vocals
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
DEVON TAYLOR : May 1
SARAH THAWER : June 5
STANLEY RANDOLPH : July 3
ERIC HARLAND : August 7
BENNY GREB : September 4
SPUT SEARIGHT : October 2
MIKE MITCHELL : November 6
MARK GUILIANA : December 4
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Audio Engineering, Mixing, Mastering:
Kevin Majorino
Videography:
Marc Cohen
Gary Meeker
Scott Quade
Mark Wessels
Francis Zera
Photography:
Francesco Desmaele
Host:
Elmo Lovano
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FOLLOW VIC!
➤Website: www.vicfirth.com
➤KZbin: / vicfirthdrumsticks
➤KZbin (Marching): / vicfirthmarching
➤KZbin (Concert): / vicfirthconcert
➤Twitter: / vicfirth
➤Instagram: / vicfirth

[@nameloss]

snarky puppies as leaders quality content right here. everyone killed it

[@freshlikeme383]

Julio Del Prado 😂🖒

[@drewb5775]

You're godamn right. Sput is M.D haha

[@ismaelsedoc4947]

Yup

[@drumshero03]

Quality comment right here. Take my like, you funny person.

[@drummersnare6276]

Animals as Puppies

[@JuanCarlitoMendoza]

Uff!! 🔥 the best part is while we ALL know Matt could have chopped over a lot of the spaces, he did not and when he did it was SOOOO TASTEFULLY done! Love it Matt and Vic Firth! 👏

[@freddyalbertopaezbriceno2270]

Hermano de verdad que si, matt es de otro planeta, y de paso quienes estaban sentado viendolo tocar jajaja! que brutal.

[@Mvtdrums]

Yo, they have to get you in on this next time!!

[@BenDrums7]

Couldn't agree more!

[@MrSphinxster]

Spoken by someone who knows what he's talking about!

[@Bawls-]

The end was so DIRTY still!

[@marcdedouvan]

The hand percussionist is awesome: he does quite all the spicy job here.

[@robintarket6844]

Yeah, I couldn't help but be drawn in by him. He stole the attention from Matt at times, I was so enthralled!

[@adofonconi9753]

Awesome, couldn't get my eyes off him

[@ohrid59mk76]

thats soo true ! he was the star !

[@michaelkane2120]

That’s Mr. Weedie Braimah!

[@marcdedouvan]

@@robintarket6844 GARSTKA WAS VERY TIGHT AND MADE NICE END BREAKS AND SPICY VARIATIONS TOO NOTABLY WITH HI HAT OPENINGS. HE DIDNT ATTRACT ALL THE ATTENTION AND THAT'S AN HONORABLE ATTITUDE IN A BAND. BUT STILL, I DISCOVERED THIS PERCUSSIONIST AND IS QUITE RARE TO MASTER AT THAT TOP LEVEL AFRICAN AND AFROCUBAN PERCUSSION WITH HAND AND EVEN STICK (ON COWBELLS). TRYING IT MYSELF, I CAN MEASURE THE WORK, CONSIDERING THE FACT I FOCUS A LOT ON DRUMSET AND NOTICE THAT HAND PERCUSSION ON SEVERAL INSTRUMENTS DEMANDS LOT OF STRENGTH AND ENERGY AND HURT HANDS (THE GUY IS COURAGEOUS AND STRONG TOO). AT 52 I AVOID TO PLAY CONGAS TO NOT HURT MY FINGERS AND SPARE FOR DRUMSET PLAYING (INCLUDING COWBELLS AND IMITATING CONGAS WITH STICKS ON TOMS AND SNARE DRUM).

[@toneyrockstv]

I LOVE how Matt stays in that pocket then bursts the hell out of it with fury as if to say "Don't worry... I can burn too". My boy Weedie killing it on congas/djembe as usual!

[@oluwaboriogunafolabi3997]

Love the nod to Fela Kuti in this one. 🇳🇬💚

[@KevinCorkran]

a room full of such amazing musicians. and a room full of people that can clap in time! can't even imagine witnessing this in person. absolute stellar work!!

[@muman717]

I was just about to write about everyone clapping in time.. such a rare occurrence! lol

[@apostlemarkwilliams6243]

Wow...wow...wow...so true

[@nobleteamftw]

Loved the video! but making me wait until December for Mark Guiliana should be a crime

[@DonaldSturgeAnthonyMcKenzieII]

Yes. Im pissed I have to wait for Mike Mitchell

[@KennethKBBenson]

Fela Kuti for the WIN

[@SaintMont]

That percussionist !!! Man his hands were on fire !!! I love it, nice done fellas !!!

[@RADZADproductions]

Matt is just so amazing, absolutely my favorite drummer. He can play any genre with finesse and expertise!

[@Maliikteemple]

It’s sooooo good to see Mart Gartska play outside of his normal genre and still show his high level of musicianship. Also, the lineup of musicians on stage with him are bomb squad 👌🏾

[@zaio15_DarioMannu_DM-DrumCover]

The true musician listens as he plays with others and takes a step back to give importance to the Music they are playing together, more than to his drum-ego. Hat off to Matt!! Brilliant!

[@TheMrbigturtle]

There is just something about 2:30 - 2:50 that gives me goosebumps every time. So much musicality. Matt is something else

[@robintarket6844]

I so desperately wish this was on Spotify, this would be SO GOOD on my daily mix! Everyone killed it, quality work!

[@dariuscameron5174]

I totally agree. I just downloaded the audio of this.

[@teddys3558]

Matt is such a complete drummer. Zero holes in his game! 👍🏾👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@thomwangkonyak6025]

Matt is a beast.... He is one of the best drummer...

[@cristianofisch]

Matt is an ANIMAL. Most specific, a BEAST.

[@emmaanueeel]

Matt Garstka you the legend !

[@johnrajswami5938]

The best vf jams goes to matt garstka

[@glennp6413]

Nice work Matt.playing the music with the band with the dynamics and a great ending demonstrating what pure experience puts forth.

[@sombatone]

The trip the hand percussionist makes from 5:45 to 5:54 ! So awesome... And love that outro so much from 5:05 !!!

[@Joshstix95]

Man how many goats in one room

[@tonyjackson4099]

The term is so watered down now. Peeps over-use that shit so it becomes meaningless. Dudes in their 20s and 30s....how they goats already? lol

[@Myriam-nk2fw]

​@@tonyjackson4099well matt is one and I dont think he hit 40 yet

[@JosephFacer]

Killer band, and Matt slays as per usual. Looking forward to more of these!

[@samuelmaney1250]

Saw Matt Gartska live in Asheville, NC with Animals. Was the greatest experience ever.

[@kevinbriggs2327]

damn we also got Aaron Spears, Luke Holland, Jessica Burdeaux, Adam Tuminaro in the house.... there's a lot of talent in that room. Incredible.

[@ericmickens6287]

Very disciplined drumming on this vid to that fact that it was extra tastefully done. Wasnt one bit overplayed. After watching a few vids of Matt garska I would definitely say he has become one of my favorite drummers. Excellent video and amazing skills everyone

[@PedroDVC]

This guy's a beast!

[@angelacevedo2112]

Dig the Fela vibe from most of these tracks! i hope we can recognize some afrobeat drummers soon there are plenty and very talented

[@glennp6413]

Very cool stuff vic firth.

[@yanickwillert3428]

3:05 where is the hihat opening?

[@chicken6111]

4:09 my face during the entire video

[@satopsycho2152]

these comments made my day lol

[@Imhotep_DrummerJones]

chicken6111 😂😂🤣🤣🤣💯💯💯

[@cristianofisch]

Hahahaha

[@THEUNHINGEDSANITY]

How can anyone dislike musicianship?! Amazing stuff from everyone!

[@felixgarstka]

pretty sure he's gonna be one of the greatest *JK* he already is the greatest

[@benevolentsun]

Wow! That's what it's all about! That's music! Wow just wow, Vic Firth, Great Idea!

[@jordansaltmarsh3808]

Vic Firth, Thank you for putting these on! Can't wait for more!

[@EKdrum1000]

Such a great combo of musicians in the room!!! It is amazing, when we come together, what we can produce. Looking forward to the rest of the VFjams series!

[@skits17l]

Great Job everyone..... Matt, always a pleasure to see ya in action.... You have definitely grown so much since berklee bro. AMAZING JOB

[@joshuajosiahcolumbus]

Matt kills it everytime 🔥

[@yofrantovar9463]

JOE BE KILLING THAT BASS! 🔥

[@jamieharris327]

Yofran Tovar YES THANK YOU SAYING THAT!

[@matthewmurison3940]

Not even butter is as buttery smooth as this!!!!

[@petercampion9028]

When you realise Aaron Spears, Kaz Rodriguez and the Orlando Drummer are all just sitting their watching :O

[@VicFirthCompany]

Peter Campion plus Dave Weckl and Peter Erskine in the booth. Must’ve been pretty nerve racking!

[@petercampion9028]

No way! That's Incredible. Almost all of those drummers have intensely influenced me as a player. What an event to be apart of!

[@JekDrummerTime]

@@VicFirthCompany are ya'll gonna have Dave Weckl on VF Jams in the future? That would be amazing!

[@jacobg9759]

@@VicFirthCompany cant wait for all of them play in VF Jam life

[@ikigomez1407]

Seemed like Egypt 80', after the departure of Tony Allen and the leadership of Lekan Animashaun. Loved It!

[@vitooosh]

I CAN'T WAIT FOR ALL EPISODES

[@jocefianrama]

Just came from Aaron Spears' Zildjian live. Just can't get enough of Sput's work.

[@yohanesalpacino]

The perfection of matt groovstka.

[@Zachary_Sweis]

Kicked it off with my favorite drummer right now. And I can't wait for Devon, Sarah, and Benny.

[@benjamine.ndugga729]

This is amazing thank you so much Vicfirth

[@agriffindrums]

We have to wait until Dec 4th to see Mark play? This is such a cool idea, but you guys are killing me making me wait that long!

[@dedemalvina3633]

what an interesting fresh idea show....and matt garstka for the 1st one....awesome

[@Everlongfive]

Weedie Braimah absolutely on fire on percussion!!!! Awesome!

[@brauliomartinez5278]

Such beautiful music. Really enjoyed!

[@charliemaguire4361]

That was a unbelievable performance. Great band - lovely to see Vic Firth focusing on music not just drumming - Any chance these arrangements will be released minus drums!?!? 😉

[@rva.marlon]

I honestly love Matty G😭

[@bowser8375]

What a badass session. Amazing

[@YouthDrummer]

I was like heck yea Vic Firth!!! but then i saw how long i have to wait for mark guiliana :(

[@squeedum4893]

Slaaaayiing. A humble persona but a beast behind the kit.

[@montyhockey99]

I definitely need more Garstka jazz...

[@JakeRoy96]

Yes. More. Please

[@MisterTokolo]

This is the best video i have seen for a while

[@tkeitumetsindlovu2740]

I luv the vf jams love you stanly Benny grebs and mastike love you all its just good music

[@jamesrabic5380]

Sooooooooooooooooooooo funky and fantastic!!!

[@raneyboy9937]

I love this arrangement! The 3/4 section felt very laid back and it was relaxing actually!

[@pg1808]

When you play on "animal as leaders",you can play everything.

[@probotdrummer]

MATT is a drummer's drummer, drummer... no doubt!.

[@westondifranco9313]

Can they write an album? This music was awesome! Also that percussionist. Man he was sick!

[@FrankDeCoster-FrakkeZeroOne]

Top Notch performance, you really gotta love this!!

[@1missing]

I was blown away at the first snare hit

[@drewb5775]

Holy shit. My two favourite drummers and fav guitarist in the same place playing together. Jeez. Also Sly killed the bari solo

[@ronaldobarcelos528]

That is INSANE!! Matt meets snarky, it's a dream.

[@MarioReynolds]

So crazy!

[@raneyboy9937]

I know this is a drum video,but man that Sax solo was awesome! Matt killed it though! Nice job everyone

[@davemik12]

He’s truly musical and not trying to show off!

[@lancetothebeat]

Yeah! Finally!! One of the BEST! Berklee's finest!

[@flooper8441]

Just realized Matt gave us an easter egg before the release of Cosmic Liberty by writing the names of the songs on the album onto his china.

[@IanRWC43]

I have no idea what I'm listening to, but it's sick. and so is that left handed bass player 🤘

[@thomasoring]

My goodness Matt's kit sound great and is recorded really well too.

[@justingoddard7830]

I would pay any amount of money to sit there with headphones on!!!

[@alimkassim]

Fantastic

[@MrValint]

This was incredible!

[@mexicanstorm]

These are awesome! That schedule is ridiculous too.

[@roofcutt1]

Senseiz in the room😎 POWER SET!

[@ryanpotts5791]

What a beast

[@xNecropolisx100]

This was fire! Cant wait for Benny Greb

[@rasmussen418]

3:55 & the next few seconds are insanely satisfying.

[@clubhousemusic1]

This Video makes me hope one day for Matt Gartska to appear on a Snarky Puppy album one day, even if it was just one song. This is incredible

[@samuelbassani1845]

My head just exploded with this snare sound. So tasty

[@agwar143]

its amamzing

[@hamiltonbrown1989]

The Fela Kuti vibes well strong on this... Maaadddd... Reall cool... Matt gonna get Tosin to do a tune like this... Hmmm

[@marcushaines6640]

Just excellence

[@kingdomdrummer]

Loved this soooooo good!

[@diversekcox]

Always a pleasure to see my bro Weedie slapping the skins!

[@bennyrietveld9355]

Whenever old fucks like me bitch about how music is "stupid" and "bad" these days and "young folks can't play" etc etc. - I just tell them shut the fuck up and listen to District 97, Funky Knuckles, Ghost-Note, all the players in the vfJAMS series (and more, of course). These folks give me hope for humanity, more than any of the insipid political posturing that we see today. Vic Firth is also to be commended for putting this series together. Well done, all around. Keep playing, everyone! It's really important.

[@breathingrhythm825]

Awesome.wow

[@danielsemmelrock7808]

This is soooo killing😵😵

[@Gustardust]

Loved it!!!

[@LunyMilky]

Groovy jam folks, groovy groovy jam x')

[@TheMassimop]

great!

[@westsidecater]

That last minute tho. This guy is a machine.

[@VladShpiro]

Stunning performance, what a tasty jam! One performance a month got me sad a bit, other than that - excited all the way

[@JulianFernandez]

Matt just dominates