Billy had been a major influence in the local drumming community since first studying with Joe Morello’s teacher, Joseph D. Sefcik.
Read moreKeith Carlock FULL (!) 20 MIN SOLO @theukdrumshow 2024
Keith was a student of several teachers who taught at my George’s Drum Shop in Jackson Mississippi in the mid 80s; me, Quinous Johnson, Bud Berthold and he also was taught by my first drum teacher, Herman “Sonny” Hill. My opinion is this is one of the best solos he has ever played. Watch it, then go practice or lock your drums up in the closet! :-)
Read moreRemembering Tony Williams / Jeff Turcotte
But it was the rolls Tony did on his toms that really did it for me.
Read moreBernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie Drum Clinic
Legendary drummer Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie presented a sold-out clinic at Rocky’s Music Studio in Rensselaer, NY
Read more1960s Slingerland Zildjian Buddy Rich all in one!
I have been working to acquire this phenomenal piece for a long time.
Read moreEric Boudreault in Guam, a drumming adventure like no other
At the end of March 2022, I received a call for a proposal to be the musical director and drummer for a major production. I was surprised to learn that this production would take place on the Pacific Island of Guam.
Read moreBenny Barth's Slingerland Radio King Drum Set
This is the story of a Slingerland Radio King drum kit that I spent many years piecing back together. It originally belonged to Benny Barth, a renowned jazz drummer from Indianapolis and one of the most influential drummers of his time.
Read moreSpotlight- Veteran jazz drummer Rich Thompson retires from Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester
Drummer Rich Thompson recently announced his retirement from his 30 year career at Eastman School of Music. Rich has been in demand as a top call drummer in Rochester for the past 25 years.
Read moreRick Drumm: Remembering Tony Williams
Between 1969 and 1971 my teacher Ed Shaughnessy introduced me to the music of drummer Tony Williams.
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom Chapter 30
“I’m tired of drumming, I was thinking about becoming a ship’s captain but I’m not stern enough.”
Read moreDonn Bennett : Preserving The Legacy Of Elvin Jones
When jazz drumming giant Elvin Jones passed away in 2004, his wife Keiko was left with the daunting task of handling his vast estate. Elvin had two apartments in New York City. He and Keiko lived in one; and the other was strictly for his drums.
Read moreLiberty DeVitto - November Drum Clinic at Rocky's Music
On November 17, 2024 – Legendary drummer Liberty DeVitto presented a sold-out clinic at Rocky’s Music Studio in Rensselaer, NY. Liberty performed an over two-hour clinic covering numerous aspects of his studio and live performance career.
Read moreJack Sperling - “Elegance on the Throne”
Although not as publicly well known as Gene or Buddy or Shelly or Louie, Jack was a treasure. He had steady work his entire career, he always had money, he behaved himself, and he came to play. As you may expect, Jack spent time teaching and coaching and encouraging.
Read moreNRBQ's John Perrin – A Force To Be Reckoned With
Chicago based drummer, John Perrin assumed the NRBQ drum chair full-time in 2015. He had to memorize over 500 songs since the band never uses a set list.
Read moreRoy Haynes, Pioneering Jazz Drummer and Versatile Band Leader, Dies at 99
Haynes’ remarkable career spanned much of the history of jazz, from the swing era through bebop, avant-garde, modal jazz, fusion, and beyond. His contributions to jazz were profound, playing with some of the genre’s most iconic figures, including Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sarah Vaughan, Chick Corea, and Pat Metheny, to name just a few
Read more85 year old James Gadson's first album! Funky drumming and singing.
On August 23, 2024, James Gadson released a solo EP, Dance On Through [High Rise Sound]. The five-song, self-penned release finds the eternally youthful 85-year-old badass going deep with crisp funk beats and a buoyant and soulful voice.
Read moreRemembering Tony Williams - Jeff Indyke
Tony influenced me with the open flams, his loose high-hat rhythms, and the amazing sound of his snare drum and tom toms.
Read moreRemembering Ed Mann, percussionist for Frank Zappa
I just remember looking at this melody part and I noticed a bar of 22 notes over four beats followed by 23 notes over four beats. These notes were also jumping large intervals. Frank asked Ed” ‘Is this playable?’ Ed just looked at him and said, sure, I’ll shed it tonight and play it for you tomorrow, which he did.
Read morePeter Erskine: Remembering Tony Williams
Tony said "Okay ... here's a good one. I was asked by a journalist, "Mr. Williams, you have played with three iconic musicians of our time — MIles Davis, John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix — what quality do they have in common? And I answered, "They were not afraid to fail."
Read moreAlbum Review - New Start by bassist Tom Kennedy w Dave Weckl on drums
I’m featuring a great album by a bassist this month, Tom Kennedy, not just because he is a great bassist and a musician, but also because one of my favorite drummers, Dave Weckl, is playing on the album. Weckl
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