449 - Davide DiRenzo: What "Presence" Really Means, Opting Out of Social Media, Reconnecting with Toronto,

Working Drummer

Davide DiRenzo is one of the most versatile and in-demand drummers in Canada, with an equally strong profile in the jazz, rock, pop and R&B scenes coast-to-coast and beyond. With years of studio experience under his belt working with some of the world’s top artists, Davide is now also working as a producer out of his home studio (Studio 86) in Toronto, Ontario. From there, he also records and sends drum tracks to artists and producers all over the globe.

Davide has performed and recorded extensively around the world with a wide range of artists including two time Grammy award-winning Cassandra Wilson. Other acts he’s performed and recorded with include Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Holly Cole, Feist, Kevin Breit, and just recently recorded and co-wrote three songs on Molly Johnson’s new album, “Meaning To Tell You” where he had the pleasure of working with multi grammy award-winning and internationally celebrated producer/musician, Larry Klein.

He has won six Juno awards to date, including two in 2007: one as a member of jackSoul (Best R&B Recording) and one as a band member with Tomi Swick (Best New Artist). He also received a National Jazz Award nomination the same year for Jazz Drummer of the Year.

In this episode, Davide talks about:

• Making professional and personal choices based on knowing “where you’re at”
• Thinking of time as your most precious resource
• Why he has opted out of social media since its inception
• Being present in relationships and in music, and how they’re the same
• Reconnecting with Toronto music and musicians, especially the club/bar scene
• Making yourself available to connect with audience members