“Man, I had beyond a blast playing with the Great Eddie Henderson…There were some fantastic drummers in who I really dig, Billy Drummond, Sylvia Cuenca, Steve Johns, and the all time master - my hero Billy Hart. You know all those folks can hear the entire picture and then some. How great is that? Such great artists all in one place and one town. Billy Harper was there as well…Damn, I Love New York !”
Read moreRick Garvin: The Pursuit of Excellence
A special story about drummer Rick Garvin. This is a heart felt tribute to a fellow drummer from one of his peers, and with glowing praise from many he played with. Every drummer would like to have an accomplished career like this and be remembered in this way.
Read moreJohn "Jabo" Starks, Famed Drummer for James Brown, Dies at 79
Reprinted from Rolling Stone-
John "Jabo" Starks, the drummer who helped anchor some of James Brown's biggest hits, died Tuesday, The New York Times reports. He was 79.
"Super Bad," "Sex Machine" and other funky landmarks from half of the Godfather of Soul's legendary groove tandem
Starks' manager Kathie Williams confirmed his death. She said he'd been in hospice for about a week and was battling leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Starks played with Brown during the Sixties and Seventies, most notably as part of a percussion duo with Clyde Stubblefield, who died last year. Though Starks and Stubblefield had distinct playing styles, together they created a powerhouse rhythm section that defined funk, and later hip-hop. The duo are among the most sampled drummers of all time.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, one of Starks' many acolytes, Roots drummer Questlove, described the dynamic between Starks and Stubblefield, saying, "Starks was the Beatles to Clyde's Stones. A clean shuffle drummer to Clyde's free-jazz left hand."
Starks and Stubblefield played in Brown's live band and joined him in the studio. They worked on classic albums like I Got the Feelin', Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud and Cold Sweat, while Starks drummed on singles such as "The Payback," "Super Bad," "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine."
Starks also played with other artists in Brown's orbit, including the JBs, Bobby Byrd and Lyn Collins. His drumming on Collins' 1972 single "Think (About It)" has been sampled by an array of artists, most notably Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock on their 1988 hit, "It Takes Two."
"John 'Jabo' Starks was that rock that I built my bass grooves on while with James Brown," Bootsy Collins, who played with Starks in Brown's band, tells Rolling Stone. "He was always steady and consistent never letting me leave the pocket. When you are so young as I was, full of energy & ideas, I would sometimes rush to get to the next One that I am hearing in my head. 'Jabo' held the time and you in synch. I will never forget him and what he's done for me, music & James Brown's Planet-Groove!"
In a tribute on Instagram, Questlove praised Starks' stunning skill and detailed his lasting influence. "It was Clyde that was James' prettiest rhythm master. But Starks was his most effective drummer. It was the 'Think (About It)' break that birthed New Jack Swing culture, B'more/Jersey house and Nineties R&B. It was 'Hot Pants (I'm Comin)' and 'I Know You Got Soul' that really cultivated the classic East Coast renaissance of 87 - 92… His eight on the floor style was so unique in his funk. A serious funk god."
Born in Jackson, Alabama in 1938, Starks taught himself how to drum using a makeshift kit comprising a bass and a snare drum tied to a chair, while the cymbals sat on a dinner stand. At a local club, he played with some of the biggest blues musicians of the era – John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Big Mama Thornton – eventually joining Bobby "Blue" Bland's band in 1959. He drummed on Bland's biggest hits, including "Turn On Your Love Light" and "I Pity the Fool," before joining Brown in 1965.
In the mid-Seventies, after splitting with Brown, Starks began to record and perform with B.B. King. Later, he reunited with Stubblefield, forming a duo called the Funkmasters that recorded music, instructional videos and even helped craft the music for the 2007 comedy, Superbad.
Even as he got older, Starks continued to perform live, holding down a regular gig at a bar in Grayton Beach, Florida. According to its owner, Starks last performed there in March.
"When I’m playing music, man, let me tell you one thing: There ain’t nobody in the world higher than I am," Starks said in 2015. "I get so high playing music, it scares me."
John Henry 'Jabo' Starks was born in Jackson, Alabama on Oct. 26, 1938. He taught himself to play with very little formal instruction. Upon high school graduation he began playing with blues artists - John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, and Big Mama Thornton. In 1959, he joined up with Bobby (Blue) Bland playing on his hits “Turn On Your Love Light,” “I Pity the Fool” and “That’s the Way Love Is.” ‘Jabo’ left the group for James Brown’s band in 1965, staying with him until the Mid-1970's. He later began touring and recording with B. B. King.
‘Jabo’ Starks is survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
Mike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 17
This is Chapter 17 in an ongoing series of conversations, quotes, commentary, and updates with drumming legend Mike Clark. Mike’s keen observations provide numerous insights into ‘all things music’. I ask Mike to just tell it like it is…This includes the good, the bad, and everything else in between.
Read moreYou Don't Know Jack: Chapter One
Not So Modern Drummer features the true-life adventures of Jack Scarangella in our new ongoing series.
Gordy Knudtson: the Visionary - part one
After Gordy’s presentation Joe Morello said…
“I’m so glad you did this! Billy Gladstone was messing around with this when I was studying with him, but he never documented it. I think you took it further than he did!”
Read moreAdam Nussbaum - The Leadbelly Project
After organizing projects released under group names - Nuttree, Another Nuttree & BANN - in past years… Here’s the first one under Adam Nussbaum's own name - The LeadBelly Project w/ Steve Cardenas, Nate Radley & Ohad Talmor The CD was just released on February 23rd on Sunnyside Records http://sunnysidezone.com/album/the-lead-belly-project
Read moreAnnouncing Billy Arnold's Book
Portions of this book sale will be donated to the Springfield Community School of Music. If you would like to donate to the Community Music School of Springfield visit the web site.
http://communitymusicschool.com/ways-to-give/
Ryan Brown: Pure Genius
Ryan Brown’s gift is in his undying passion for all things Zappa. He has been a fan of the music from his earliest formative years behind the drum set. It is obvious upon hearing him perform that he has dedicated many hours to learning the Zappa repertoire. Dweezil’s band draws from all eras of Zappa, from Freak Out through Roxy and Elsewhere and One Size Fits All, up to Zappa’s later material in the 80’s. They even stop off at some 200 Motels along the way. The repertoire is constantly being expanded with new material for every tour. The exuberance of diving deep into the Zappa vault is seen in Ryan’s face when he performs classic and somewhat obscure numbers such as Holiday in Berlin and Rollo. These are tunes for the hardcore fans, of which he is perhaps the biggest.
Read morePercussion Days Showcase: Tribute to Kim Plainfield | Berklee Performance Center
Select Berklee students and faculty will perform in honor of and in memory of longtime Percussion Department faculty member Kim Plainfield, who passed away in April 2017.
Read moreRecollections: Buddy Rich - Chapter Twelve
Not So Modern Drummer continues to celebrate the legendary Buddy Rich in 2017. Recognizing the 100th anniversary of his birth… Contributing their personal recollections and commentary on Buddy Rich are Billy Arnold, Jason Bittner, Sue Hadjopoulos, and Rick Shlosser… With additional comments by Not So Modern Drummer owner and editor – George Lawrence
Read moreRecollections: Buddy Rich - Chapter Eleven
Not So Modern Drummer continues to celebrate the legendary Buddy Rich in 2017. Recognizing the 100th anniversary of his birth… Contributing their personal recollections and commentary on Buddy Rich are: Greg Caputo, Ned Ingberman, Billy Klock, Chet Pasek, and Vic Thomas… With additional comments by Not So Modern Drummer staff writer – David Barsalou
Read moreJack Scarangella: Scrappin' In The Apple
.....He was also hanging with Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Lonnie Brooks. Miles Davis sat Jack down at the piano to play him a song. He played ‘Pinball Wizard’ with Pete Townsend’, and ‘Time Has Come Today’ with the Chambers Brothers, and gigs with Matt "Guitar" Murphy. Touring with Blood, Sweat and Tears and David Clayton Thomas, The Band, and Paul Butterfield. Recording sessions with Felix Cavaliere, James Greene, Laura Nyro, Cissy Houston, Luther Vandross, Joe Farrell, and Leslie West.
Read morePrevent Hearing Loss
Drummers, wearing protective ear plugs is a highly effective way to prevent hearing loss. H.E.A.R., through our nationwide affiliate network of audiologists, offers free screenings and consultations with audiologists. Ear doctors have also joined us as Affiliates to test hearing and fit custom plugs or ear monitors for musicians. Our clientele range from rock legends to local school marching bands and all those interested in preserving their hearing for their music.
Read moreRecollections: Buddy Rich - Chapter Nine
Not So Modern Drummer continues to celebrate the legendary Buddy Rich in 2017. Recognizing the 100th anniversary of his birth… Contributing their personal recollections and commentary on Buddy Rich are: Donn Bennett, Steve Crabtree, Aaron Kennedy, Butch Miles, and Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz
Read moreRecollections: Buddy Rich - Chapter Eight
Not So Modern Drummer continues to celebrate the legendary Buddy Rich in 2017. Recognizing the 100th anniversary of his birth… Contributing their personal recollections and commentary on Buddy Rich are: Carmine Appice, Les DeMerle, John JR Robinson, Tim Smith, and Ed Soph.
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 16
Guy walks in off the street and starts playing brushes on a newspaper he threw on top of the piano and plays with the duo, He was as good as anyone I have ever heard, and no one knew who he was. He got into a cab and drove off... Love New York City !!
Read moreRecollections: Buddy Rich - Chapter Seven
Not So Modern Drummer continues to celebrate the legendary Buddy Rich in 2017. Recognizing the 100th anniversary of his birth… Contributing their personal recollections and commentary on Buddy Rich are: Gregg Bissonette, Dom Famularo, Michael Shrieve, and Steve Smith
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 15
"Never mind all my Jazz rants… Let's get down to the real stuff...Who did kill Laura Palmer?"
Read moreTom Staley: Full Circle - exclusive interview with original NRBQ drummer
What makes Tom a great musician? I think the fact that Tom can play other instruments and can sing and write songs, and produce a song in the studio, gives him the "big picture" of what a song needs. Once you approach a song from a producer's point of view, you begin to see that the drummer is only one piece of the puzzle. You begin to appreciate the other instrument's roles in the song, and how the drums must fit into that puzzle and has a specific role if the song is going to be great. That's the difference between a good and a great drummer. Tom is definitely one of the great ones”.
-- Rick Hart
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