Jared Shaw has held the drum chair on national tours of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and The Book of Mormon. He’s subbed on Broadway including Tommy, one of the most demanding drum books out there. He’s performed at the Kennedy Center and Ghana’s National Theater, and he plays groove percussion, orchestral, African percussion, and programs electronics.
In this episode, Jared breaks down what it actually took to build a career like that.
We cover:
How he approached learning difficult drum books
What touring taught him about preparation and professionalism
How electronic drumming and programming fit into his toolkit
Subbing on Broadway and staying ready for the call
Studying with James Saporito, Shawn Pelton, and Valerie Naranjo
Building a sustainable career as a working musician in New York City
If you’re serious about Broadway, touring, or becoming a more complete drummer, this conversation is for you.











