Mike Clark: Words of Wisdom, Part 4

Drummers who use traditional grip...Some people use the index finger over the stick along with the second finger etc. or some guys use the thumb as it is a strong appendage, or kind of open which they used to call rabbit ears...I really think all have certain advantages so why use just one?

OK, My humble opinion. To have a James Brown movie without mentioning Fred Wesley’s name, is like making a John Coltrane film and not mentioning Elvin Jones.

Drummers who want to play jazz, or whatever you want to call it… Check out ‘Do The Math’, an interview with Billy Hart. He talks about history, and his history…The ride beat, which drummers did what, and all kinds of great stuff for musicians who love this music.

Can never stop paying my debt of gratitude to...Philly Joe Jones, Papa Jo Jones, Max Roach, Elvin Jones., Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Tootie Heath, Mickey Roker, Billy Hart, Billy Higgins, Roy McCurdy Lenny White, Kenny Clarke, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Clyde Stubblefield, Louie Bellson, Sonny Payne, Sam Woodyard, Louis Hayes, Jabo Starks, Dave Garibaldi, Bernard Purdie, Clifford Jarvis, and Joe Chambers.... I think about what these cats did and why everyday...Many more, but it would take forever.

Lenny White and I are working on a book about what it was like when he was with Return to Forever, and I was with Herbie Hancock. It also addresses many other things… Even though I lived it, I enjoy the proofing as I’m learning from reading it. At any rate, it’s way cool...Not just drum talk…There’s so much more.

Shelly Manne said…“The ride beat is the easiest and the most difficult thing a drummer will ever play”…Or something like that.

Mike Clark: Words of Wisdom, Part 2

This is the second chapter in an ongoing series of quotes and commentary from legendary drummer Mike Clark. Mike’s numerous observations provide insight into ‘all things music’. As always… Mike just tells it like it is.

“Many jazz musicians tell me they are doing something new. When I hear them, it sounds almost exactly like the things I used to do in the early 1960’s when we thought it was new. This being said, the new thing is the old thing. Hence, at a certain point you just go… Let’s swing and play whatever. Maybe we can have an old ‘NEW THING’ revival.”

“Lots of musicians start to play whatever the latest thing is… It was rock, then funk, hip hop, etc. I still dig playing standards, I’ve been playing them since I was five, and it’s always brand new to me.”

“Was just reading a post realizing that I have never been on any jazz polls, or in the running for best drummer; or even worst drummer… Must say, I find this interesting.”

“Gave a lesson on Max Roach the other day. Man that was fun… I had to go back and shed some stuff to even be in the same ballpark…totally challenging... Max was a genius.”

“Was listening to Art Blakey, Lenny White, and James Brown last night and realized it’s all been played before... We just kind of changed the order and intention of things.”

“I always find it laughable when musicians talk about the groove, the pocket, the time, getting real funky, and all the rest. They then get up on stage and play as loud as they can, thinking it was killer. At that volume there is no funk, no groove, no grease and you can’t play anything inside of it.”

“Just played a medium blues at sound check that had tears of joy running down my face... Every once in a while I’m reminded of why I do this.”