Working Drummer

Vibraphonist Nick Mancini has lived in LA for a decade, and a decade in New York before that. Self-diagnosed with “musical A.D.D.,” he has constantly been involved in a huge number and a huge variety of groups. He never had any interest in being a hired gun for pop or commercial music, and has been at the forefront of creative projects on the LA jazz scene both as a leader and a sideman. Nick is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and was voted “Best Jazz Percussionist” by DRUM! Magazine in 2014. He has released nine albums as a leader and had a hand in dozens of others as a producer and sideman. He is also on the jazz faculty at two California State University campuses, Northridge and Long Beach. In this podcast, Nick talks about: His new record, “The Long Game” with Hammond B3 organist Ty Bailie and drummer Tina Raymond His college experiences, from starting out at a small community college in Schenectady, NY, to grad school the Manhattan School of Music What a collegiate music program should do for