We’re in a New Year and this one expects to be yet another stellar year for Gon Bops! We have some surprises in store for ya’ll, so stay tuned here. In the meantime, check out our great YouTube channel, chock-full of great content! We’ve recently loaded up a lot of new videos, featuring our products. Have fun exploring and please subscribe! Let us know what you’d like to see in the future too!
Announcing the launch of our new extensive line of Gon Bops Player Wear!! We’re excited to bring you an entirely new line of Gon Bops ‘Swag’ today, expanding further than anything we’ve previously offered. Our new line of Player Wear includes t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, a variety of hats and beanies, coffee cups, carrying bags, cell phone covers and even baby wear! Whatever your Gon Bops swag needs are – we now got you covered!! Check out our new feature video clip here and go to the Gon Bops Wear tab in the Products section of our website for more info, details and pricing.
On this, our 13th episode on our podcast, The Percussion Loft, we’re excited to feature our fearless leader, President of Sabian & Gon bops – Andy Zildjian! In 2010, Sabian acquired Gon Bops from the DW drum company. Andy has quite a story to tell, having essentially been born into the music products industry. He’s experienced all facets of the industry, from working in the warehouse, to factory production, to working in retail, to traveling as a road salesman and eventually, running the whole organization. It’s an industry that he absolutely loves and it shows. With his incredible success with Sabian including his long-time employees, his warm relationship to his customers, to his very loyal internationally-acclaimed artist roster, Andy makes everyone feel like part of the ‘family’…the Sabian & Gon Bops family. And if you’ve met him, you know he’s having a great time doing it.
Our next Gon Bops Live show will featuring long-time Eagles’ percussionist/drummer, Gon Bops’ artist Scott Crago and his drum tech, Kevin Pintado! Scott has been the backup drummer/percussionist for this legendary band for over 25 years now and will share his experiences playing live, recording with them and co-producing their Long Road Out Of Eden album. Scott has also worked with a host of other artists including Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Venice, Bob Seger, Bryan Adams and even The Bee Gees! Kevin has teched for years with many acts including Christine Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Demi Lovato, American Idol, Stevie Wonder and many more. He’ll share his insight into what it takes to be a successful tech.
Join us!!
We’re proud to welcome Gon Bops’ artist Brad Dutz to our podcast, the Percussion Loft! Brad is truly one of the most creative and talented percussionists in the world today. He’s recorded/released 34 albums under his own name and is known for his highly eclectic and adventurous approach. Continually playing traditional instruments in non-traditional ways, Brad is someone who defines the term ‘play’. His approach IS playful…but very serious, meaning he’s spent years perfecting his craft. We’re happy to welcome him to this, our 12th episode! Order of play – clips of Brad’s original music: “Mix DoBop”, “Vibes Shapes”, “Centipede”, “Oskar Organized the Organic Oil, Olives & Okra” and “Transcribing ‘Trane Takes Time”.
We’re happy to welcome composer/percussionist Willy Calderon to the Percussion Loft! This Columbian-American musician has appeared on various hit TV shows including Bones, Jane The Virgin and America’s Got Talent, has scored music for the video game world and has performed with countless artists in both the Latin and Pop genres. In this, our 11th episode, we discuss Willy’s varied background, his approach to navigating between music styles and also hear some tracks from his great new Grammy-nominated album, “LA Impromptu”! Contact us for the order of songs played on this episode. Welcome Willy!!
The great Orestes Vilato, a true Cuban legend, is considered to be one of the most influential timbaleros and bongoceros in the world of percussion today. He’s paved the way for so many greats percussionists, players like Luis Conte and Luisito Quintero who quote Orestes as one of their main influences. Orestes was at the center of the Salsa music explosion in the ’70s, having played with greats like Chico O’Farrill, Lionel Hampton, Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades and many more. He’s also worked with popular music icons like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Santana, Willie Nelson and even Oscar-winning actor, Andy Garcia! Orestes is a Signature artist for Gon Bops, helping us to create his unique, light-weight aluminum-shell Timbales. His drums are the favorite of many of our artists today. We’re so happy to have him on the show – this our 10th episode to round out 2021!
Our 9th episode features Grammy winning percussionist/Gon Bops Signature artist Luisito Quintero. Hailing from Caracas, Venezuela, Luisito comes from a lineage of distinguished musicians. He has performed with a host of music’s greats including Oscar D’Leon, Jack DeJohnette, Tito Puente, Alicia Keys and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Quintero was a member of Chick Corea’s Grammy-winning Spanish Heart Band, performing and recording with the music legend up till his untimely passing. Luisito’s solo recordings include Percussion Madness, Third Element and the Quintero Salsa Project – a project he shares with his cousin, Roberto Quintero. Our Luisito Quintero Signature Series timbales remains one of our most sought-after products. We’re proud to welcome him to the Percussion Loft! This episode is offered in both English and Spanish. (Contact us for song titles appearing on this episode)
GON BOPS BACK ON TOUR!
After over a year of silence in the arenas, Gon Bops is back out on tour in full force! Check out these great Gon Bops artists and their GB setups in your area!
Scott Crago – drummer/percussionist for the Eagles, using California Series congas and array of our toys.
Papayo – percussionist for Pit Bull, using custom California Series congas, Alex Acuna timbales, Mariano Djembe.
Daniel de los Reyes – percussionist for Zac Brown Band, using his Signature series shakers, tambourine, Alex Acuna Special Edition congas, bongos and timbales.
Jotan Afanador – drummer for Aventura, using an array of our tambourines and bells.
Butch Norton – drummer for Lucinda Williams, using our mounted tambourines and various toys and our cajons.
….AND, coming soon – the great LENNY CASTRO will be touring with John Mayer! Check out Lenny in John’s latest video “Last Train Home”, using his very cool signature series congas, bongos and tambourines!
