🎧 A quick note to our listeners:
We want to apologize for the slightly odd sound quality in this episode. It was our very first time recording the podcast remotely, so the audio might sound a little different than usual. Thanks for bearing with us through this little glitch!
And trust us—you need to check out the video version of this episode when it drops on YouTube. The way we kicked things off is absolutely hilarious. You don’t want to miss it!
In this episode, we sit down with the talented Andrew Atkinson—Broadway drummer for MJ the Musical, former sub on Hamilton, and an incredibly versatile musician whose journey is anything but typical.
Andrew shares his unique path from a childhood split between Miami and Jamaica, to discovering his love for drums in a middle school percussion class he tried to transfer out of. We dive deep into his early musical influences (yes, country music and Shabba Ranks), his DIY passion for building computers, and the unexpected road that led him from playing jazz clubs to landing a seat in one of Broadway’s hottest shows.
He discusses:
How he went from Miami art school to NYC drum pits
Playing with Gregory Porter and getting the call for Hamilton
The challenges and innovations of using fully electronic drums for MJ the Musical
Why discipline, preparation, and teamwork are essential for Broadway musicians
His experience working on America’s Got Talent and why that production team is the most organized he's ever seen
His deep respect for rudiments, practicing to perfection, and emulating legends like Art Blakey and Max Roach
This episode is packed with inspiration, practical wisdom, and stories from the grind. If you're serious about carving out your path in musical theater—or just want to hear what it takes to go from video games and ska in Jamaica to Broadway's biggest stages—this is the conversation for you.
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