647 – Michael Shekwoaga Ode: Musicality is Everything
Michael Shekwoaga Ode is a student of the game. Forever. Starting at a young age behind the kit, he quickly excelled and eventually landed a scholarship to the Oberlin Observatory, where he studied under the legend Billy Hart. With focus on musicality and a dedication to serving the music, Ode has created quite the name for himself in the Jazz World and created quite the resume. A resume that includes Joey DeFrancesco, Wallace Roney Sr, Javon Jackson, Les McCan, Gary Bartz, John Clayton, Peter Bernstein, Eddie Daniels, and a long list of others.
As his career continue to trend upwards, he continues to stay focused on learning, getting better at his craft and always putting the music first.
Michael Ode talks about:
- Music he grew up listening to
- Realizing in college that he was “behind” on his drumming skill
- The most important lessons he learned from Billy Hart
- His biggest drumming influences
- How social media and education has changed the sound of music
- The right way to practice in order to get gigs
- What he’s working on now