Peter Magadini - "You know, I used to hear Shelly play a fair amount in LA. He had a great ride feel (and sound) and a very unique way of playing the ride (different) say from Max Roach and Philly Joe Jones. He had the same style and motion as those guys (my heroes as well) but he had the fingers involved and when it got blistering fast it was only the fingers involved. That part I kept for myself too because it works great and you can keep very fast tempos going for a long time."
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Part 11
Here’s one for ya’ - Did Elvin Jones play behind the beat? I have talked to a few of the bass players who were on the gig for a long time and it was interesting to hear what they had to say...What do you think?
Read moreA Deeper Mission For Austin Drummer Magazine
When I listen to Chris Layton, I hear the voice of Austin,Texas. Chris plays a shuffle in what I think is a similar place culturally speaking as Johnny Vidocavich, but instead of the NOLA music language, when Chris plays it's Austin drum-speak. Chris became the heartbeat of Austin music in the late 80s with a good variety of deep shuffles and solid funk beats. He wrote the book on it. If I were to try and pick out a drum style that most closely defines the Austin style of drumming during, this time, it would be his work. As the drummer for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Chris reached a national audience and joined the pantheon of Austin music gods in the late 80s.
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne: Chapter 11
Give a drummer a fish, and you feed them for a day. Give them a ride cymbal, teach them how to play it, and they’ll feed themselves for the rest of their lives.
Claire Arenius at Amherst College
Claire was on fire that night… Playing with an impassioned determination that reached the farthest rows, and beyond. Her finesse and sensitivity showed through on every tune. Whether using sticks or brushes, playing fast or slow - stylistically, it didn’t matter…
Read more
Pearl Sponsors a Special Edition of The Nashville Drummers Lunch featuring Ray Luzier of Korn
"Nashville, TN – Giving 100+ drummers a chance to test high-end drums, mingle with marquis artists, and enjoy great food in the heart of America’s most active live music scene, Pearl Corporation recently hosted members of the Nashville Drummer’s Facebook group at the Hard Rock Café’s Reverb Room in Nashville, TN. This unique event showcased six distinct Pearl kits, including their Nashville-assembled Music City Custom drums, as well as a variety of premium snares and hardware to players in attendance.
Read moreChris Infusino of Vim Dicta: The Integral Role of the Ride Cymbal
Notice, if you’re out for the night, and hit up a nearby club…they’ll usually have a “house kit” that the bands of the night are using. Spend that night listening to the two, three, or four bands (if you have that time and patience to spare) and notice how each drummer sounds completely different…even though they’re using the same gear. Call it a social experiment.
Read moreTen Questions with Bermuda Schwartz
Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz has been drumming now for fifty-one years, thirty-six of them with Weird Al Yankovic. Jon has a passion for vintage instruments and is quite a collector, with a lot of rare drums and cymbals in his collection. Those who know Jon also recognize his particular fondness for Ludwig drums. Among them are Vistalites, huge concert-tom kits, and wooden kits in multiple configurations. He’s also a Ludwig artist whose real-world input is highly-prized at the factory. I caught up with Jon currently on tour with Weird Al in the states.
Read moreReflections on Shelly Manne: Chapter 10
A ride beat moves itself ever forward, like a bicycle rolling along. And this part of the phrase, like the circle compared to the line, is where both the "hardest" and "easiest" parts lie. When played with fluidity it is rolling; a beautiful study of motion, grace and power. When played stiffly, it's like a mechanical device. Boring. Metallic. Uninteresting.
Read moreNic Marcy - Austin Drummer - Summer 2016
Nic Marcy is a world class player and educator. He started a new publication in 2016 called Austin Drummer which is about and for the drummers and drumming and music scene in Austin and beyond. There are some really hip articles to enjoy so we decided to make Nic's Austin Drummer magazine a column here at NSMD.
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne - chapter 9
Being able to lay out the time and seemingly doing nothing is indeed an example of what Mr. Manne speaks of in it being the easiest and most difficult at the same time. - Sergio Bellotti
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Part 10
" I love jazz drummers… Can't think of one I don't like. Some of them hold their sticks weird, and don't care about the latest drumming fads. They love the tradition, and the language. They just...Swing! "
Read moreSean Fuller - Life Lessons
Sean, for all his successes is a humble, soft-spoken gentleman who knows the importance of family and friends. Sean embraces the down time between tours, spending it with his wife and daughter. He said, “there is more to life than just playing the drums”.
Read moreBuddy Rich: The Beat Goes On - chapter 2
Gregg Potter and Buddy’s daughter Cathy Rich are on a mission to expose Buddy's music to younger audiences, and to preserve the 'Big Band' art form for future generations. Here is a compilation of what they have done so far this year to keep Buddy's music and memory alive.
Read moreKenny Aronoff at the Woodshed
Drummer extraordinaire Kenny Aronoff presented two sold-out master classes at The Woodshed in South Windsor, Connecticut on April 16th, 2016
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne - Chapter 8
Steve Maxwell: "Shelly is correct of course. The actual notated rhythm of the ride beat is absolutely simple. However, the trick is how the drummer interprets that rhythm."
Read moreThe Legend of Tommy Thomas (1901-1995)
"You see, Tommy knew everyone who was somebody in the business. All of the players: Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Davey Tough, and everybody that I mentioned before; all of those people knew who Tommy was. All of the manufacturers knew Tommy. Tommy is mentioned in the 1933 Ludwig catalog, and notably in the 1937 WFL catalog for using the new Ludwig Speed King pedal. Tommy had an endorsement with Zildjian, Gretsch and also later with Slingerland. Tommy was also best of friends with William F. Ludwig, Sr. I think that’s why he (WFL) gave Tommy those two beautiful Ludwig drums, i.e., the 6.5 X 14”” engraved Ludwig Black Beauty and 5 X 14” Super-Sensitive.
Editor's note - It should be mentioned that the book that Tommy Thomas collaborated on with Ray Bauduc, Dixieland Drumming Instruction, is considered the first drum set instruction book ever published. This alone makes Tommy one of the most important persons in the early history of the drum set. I have included a picture of the front of that book. I have a copy myself and it is one of my prized possessions. I never completely understood why the drum set is played the way it is until I read that book. It is mind boggling that Tommy watched the entire growth of drum set drumming from the early pioneers like Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton, and Ray Bauduc all the way up to Elvin Jones, Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta and all the modern leading edge players who are still pushing the envelope.
Read moreSteve Jordan: One Extraordinary Life
"My dad said to me, "If you can learn how to play Art Blakey's "Blues March," you can play anything."
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom, Part 9
Many musicians… Myself included - would not have a career today if not for the genius and innovation of Tony Williams. Many who don't know who he is have careers because of Tony, and not just drummers. His musical voice was like a war cry to those of us who were young when he hit the scene. It spoke to us on every level, social, political and cultural.
He changed music and drumming forever in several different genres. Always seeking, and pushing the envelope… Always challenging everything.
Reflections on Shelly Manne - Ch. 7
Not So Modern Drummer columnist David Barsalou asked internationally recognized drummers – Hal Blaine, Aaron Kennedy, Shawn Meehan, Bobby T Torello, and Jay Wood to share their ideas and opinions on the following quote attributed to Shelly Manne.
Shelly Manne said...
"The ride beat is the easiest and the most difficult thing a drummer will ever play".