Antonio Sánchez: Drumming Legend, Birdman Composer, Pat Metheny Group, The Studio, 4 GRAMMYs, Emmy #88
On episode 88 of “Go With Elmo,” host Elmo Lovano sits down for an epic deep-dive with one of music’s living legends: Antonio Sánchez. From his roots in Mexico City to his Grammy-winning scores and collaborations with the biggest names in jazz and rock, Antonio’s story is packed with inspiration, humor, and insights into the art of both drumming and composing.
Whether you’re a drummer, a composer, or just a lover of great stories, this nearly three-hour discussion covers the incredible career trajectory of Antonio—from his early days, family influence, breakthroughs with Pat Metheny, his revolutionary work on the score for Birdman, to his current scoring projects and star-studded albums.
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About the Guest: Antonio Sánchez
Antonio Sánchez is a four-time Grammy winner, Emmy nominee, and one of the most acclaimed drummers and composers of our time. He’s best known for his two-decade partnership with jazz icon Pat Metheny, his groundbreaking, all-drums score for the Oscar-winning film Birdman, and his genre-stretching solo albums Bad Hombre and Bad Hombre 2, which feature collaborations with artists like Trent Reznor, Dave Matthews, and more. Born in Mexico City with a legendary actor grandfather and a rock-loving mother, Antonio’s life has always danced to the beat of music and relentless commitment to his art.
Early Life and Family Influence
One of the most touching segments of the episode is Antonio shining a light on his family roots, especially his grandfather Ignacio López Tarso—a legendary Mexican actor whose tireless work ethic and dedication to his craft left a profound impact. Antonio describes Tarso’s unwavering commitment to his art, performing on stage with vigor even into his nineties, only stopping when physically unable. Growing up in a house filled with music and creativity, Antonio’s grandfather became a father figure, instilling in him the values of discipline, commitment, and love for the craft.
Antonio’s mother also played a key role, introducing him to both classic rock and supporting his musical ambitions with concrete sacrifices—like putting his Berklee tuition on her credit card, believing deeply in his talent. These family dynamics formed the bedrock for Antonio’s creative spirit and untiring dedication.
Discovering Drums and Musical Education
A pivotal moment came when a five-year-old Antonio encountered a Ludwig drum kit in the living room of his uncle’s girlfriend’s home. Watching the drummer play Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” live cemented his passion: “Drums has been the only constant in my life,” he reflects. From playing along to Beatles and Cream records, to studying classical piano at Mexico’s National Conservatory, Antonio balanced rigorous training with exploration.
He moved to Boston for Berklee College of Music in the early ’90s—a journey only possible thanks to his mother’s support. At Berklee, Antonio earned both the Buddy Rich and Zildjian scholarships and studied with jazz luminaries. Yet his transition from fusion and rock to straight-ahead jazz was humbling. Antonio shares a hilarious and candid story about showing up with a full fusion kit to a bebop ensemble and getting his gear progressively dismantled until only a snare drum, hi-hat, and ride cymbal were left. This, he says, was one of the worst—and best—days of his life, teaching him the importance of humility, listening, and learning the right musical language.
Breakthroughs: Danilo Perez and Pat Metheny
Antonio’s professional breakthrough came via pianist Danilo Perez. After building a connection in Boston’s jazz scene, Perez recommended Antonio to Paquito D’Rivera, leading to a major European tour. Later, studying privately with Danilo, Antonio devised an “evil plan” to land a spot in Perez’s trio—by learning all of Danilo’s repertoire and being ready to jump in when needed.
This training would soon pay dividends, opening the door for Antonio’s transformative partnership with Pat Metheny. After impressing Metheny at a festival in Italy—performing with a hybrid drum kit that simulated both a drummer and percussionist—Pat invited Antonio to play in his studio, putting him through a litany of tests and instructions (“play 75% more ride cymbal, 12% less hi-hat…”). Eventually, Antonio was offered the drummer’s seat for the Pat Metheny Group, kicking off two decades of collaboration, Grammy-winning albums, and unforgettable tours.
Antonio goes in-depth about learning Pat’s particular musical language—less about strict jazz, but more dynamic, with endless room for nuance, interaction, and negotiation. He describes the grueling but rewarding experience of recording and touring “The Way Up,” a masterclass in motivic development and musical storytelling.
Birdman: Redefining the Movie Score
One of the episode’s standout stories centers on Birdman, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Oscar-winning film—and Antonio’s revolutionary, all-drums score. Antonio retraces how Iñárritu, a longtime fan from his DJ days in Mexico, invited him to improvise live for the film’s script. Initially, Antonio tried composing “themes” for characters. But Alejandro wanted raw, in-the-moment improvisation, capturing the film’s unpredictable energy and tension.
Antonio recorded the entire score in the studio with just the script and director as guides. The result was a score that felt both subversive and deeply emotive. Despite being controversially excluded from Oscar consideration, Birdman’s score earned Antonio a Grammy and a place in film history, inspiring a wave of percussive scores and new opportunities in Hollywood.
Solo Albums and Collaborations: Bad Hombre and SHIFT
Post-Birdman, Antonio dove headlong into solo projects. His Bad Hombre albums showcase his approach: songs built from improvisational drumming, layered with electronics, deep grooves, and radical production. Bad Hombre 2, notably, features a dazzling lineup of guests—Dave Matthews, Trent Reznor, Pat Metheny, Kimbra, and more—often making Antonio the “least famous person on my album.” These projects highlight Antonio’s willingness to experiment, surprise fellow artists, and push the boundaries of what a ‘drummer’s album’ can be.
Scoring for TV: The Studio
Antonio’s latest venture is scoring Apple TV’s “The Studio,” a hit series showered with Emmy nominations. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, fans of Birdman, temped early episodes with Antonio’s score and eventually tapped him to provide original music. In discussing his scoring process, Antonio emphasizes his surgical attention to scene, dialogue, and space—using drums as both a production and narrative tool. Remarkably, he performs every instrument in his home studio, embracing the freedom and limitations of working solo.
Creative Process, Work Ethic, and Future Projects
Throughout the episode, Antonio discusses his relentless work ethic—rooted in lessons from his grandfather, musical icons, and collaborators like Pat Metheny. He balances rigorous touring with solo composing and describes his workflow, especially the discipline required to meet TV and film deadlines. Antonio also shares details of his upcoming collab projects (like Beat Trio with Béla Fleck and Edmar Castaneda), his partnership with his wife and fellow musician Tana, and the importance of creative kinship.
Final Thoughts: Integrity, Innovation, and the Future
Antonio Sánchez stands as a beacon of both integrity and innovation in today’s music industry. As Elmo Lovano sums it up, Antonio is “a man of integrity who reimagines the possibilities of the drum.” Whether through story-driven jazz, experimental solo works, or film and television scores, Antonio’s artistry reminds us that the drum can be as melodic, expressive, and central as any traditional lead instrument.
If you’re inspired by stories of resilience, musical evolution, and boundary-pushing artistry, this episode is an absolute must-listen. Dive in, and “make a ton of noise” for the one and only Antonio Sánchez.
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