Another new chapter in our ongoing series of conversations, quotes, commentary, and updates with jazz/funk drumming legend Mike Clark… Mike’s keen observations provide numerous insights into ‘All Things Music’. -- Mike always just tells it like it is.
"For years I have seen drummers with the Buddy Rich drum set-up complete with the little splash cymbal, and their initials on the bass drum head. Most of them could play the sped up Gene Krupa stuff with the bass drum all in between things... But I had never seen anyone do the single stroke roll finale, or if they tried it was sort of sad -- That is until lately. I have seen a few who did the work and have figured out how to shed it. I think Dick Cully was the first guy I ever heard do that. Since him, there are three or four more. That seemed impossible when I was growing up -- but some are now cracking the code."
"Ever notice how sometimes Max Roach, Jimmy Cobb and Philly Joe Jones would walk four on the floor during their solos for four or eight bars? They weren't feathering like during the tune itself - it was fairly strong - but wouldn't last long like Krupa or Rich. I always dug that... It had a cool beat that would show up at the right time, then disappear before it got old. I do it sometimes, and can see that some cats don't get it... They think it's just a Krupa thing. There's a hell of a lot of history to try and learn in one lifetime!"
"I can't imagine what our lives would be like without Elvin Jones. How would we sound? Not just drummers... What would it be without all we learned from him. Amazing how one man can affect the entire world!"
"I love the hi-hat…Since childhood it’s had me in its clutches!"