Everywhere you turn these days, someone is talking about, writing about or demonstrating something they cheerfully call "Moeller". But here's the thing -- there appears to be a lot of different techniques being presented as Moeller. So I decided to see if I could get to the bottom of the apparent confusion, and here's what I found out about our friend "Gus" and his teachings.
Read moreOutlining - A Simple Technical Trick
Outlining is the technique of playing a rhythmic pattern with one hand while filling in the 'missing' notes with the other hand. (Actually, any two limbs/voices/instruments will work.) The concept is simple, is easy to learn and has great pay-back
Read moreHal Blaine to be honored at Holyoke Community College
Legendary drummer Hal Blaine, who recently turned 90, will be celebrated in his hometown of Holyoke, Massachusetts at Holyoke Community College’s Leslie Phillips Theater on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
Read more1926-27 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 5 x 14 10 LUG 12 PT. FLORAL ENGRAVED DeLUXE ALL-AROUND MODEL (cat. no. 1)
This drum was on EBay about 13-15 years ago. It was an early morning (1 am) ending auction so I waited up for it and sniped it right at the end. The drum was found in a closet at the Long Island Grotto #44 Masonic Lodge in Brooklyn, New York. There was a name pin that came with the drum so I googled Walter T. Morris, Long Island Grotto #44 and made some phone calls but no one was interested in helping me with the history of Walter T. Morris so I’m just reporting what I have in front of me.
Read moreElton John, Nigel Olsson - The Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour
Drummer Nigel Olsson has been playing and recording with Elton John since 1970. He has performed in concert with Elton over 2,500 times. Nigel, the consummate showman, is always smiling. On stage, he is impeccably dressed with a shirt, tie and, trademark white gloves. Joining with Ray Cooper and John Mahon, they were a complete rhythmic force unlike any other. With a long and impressive resume… Nigel has played with The Spencer Davis Group, Uriah Heep, and as a first-call studio drummer. His credentials also include time with Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, and Kiki Dee.
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 20
Chapter 20 in our ongoing series of conversations, quotes, commentary, and updates with jazz drumming legend Mike Clark. Mike’s keen observations provide numerous insights into “all things music”. Mike tells it like it is… The good, the bad, and everything else in between:
Read moreWho Is This Band?
Terry Bozzio: Here And Now
I had already recognized Terry Bozzio as a ground - breaking musician, having seen him previously on three different occasions…In the 1970’s with Frank Zappa, the early 1980’s with Missing Persons, and at one of his drum clinics a few years later. Having no idea what to expect that night…It was a shock to the system to say the least. This one-man performance by Terry Bozzio was completely different than anything I had ever seen or heard before…Terry with his huge kit - and nothing else… Demonstrating a complete and total mastery of the instrument throughout the show. The audience loved it all, applauding loudly after every one of Terry’s original compositions.
Read more1959 Ludwig Transition Badge Super Classic Outfit No. 980P
As you can imagine, these drums sing! This is by far, my personal favorite era of Ludwig Drums. These are the shells of greatness. These mahogany shells have amazing tone, warmth & projection. Making this set even more special is the fact that the Transition Badge was used for such a short period of time (58-60) and the incredible optional 14x14 floor tom was ordered, as this kit is a born together set. All the drums match perfectly with zero flaws in the wrap.
Read more1970s Ludwig Amber Vistalite Pro Beat Drum Set
The set I am featuring from my drum room is a 1970s Amber Vistalite Pro Beat set from Ludwig. They are strikingly beautiful. The Pro Beat sets have a 24X14 bass drum, 18X16 floor tom, 14X10 and 13X9 mounted toms. Most Pro Beats set have a 16X16 floor tom as well. When I bought this set there was no 16X16 with it. I plan to purchase one to add to this se
Read more1960 Ludwig Downbeat Outfit No. 988P in Oyster Pink Pearl
This kit is my personal "holy grail" set and as a Ludwig collector/player is pretty much at the top of the vintage list and falls, as I was told, under the "go and try to find another" category.
Read moreWhat is this Worth? Vintage Rimmel Drum Set
nobody else in the family plays the drums, we have decided to sell this set to someone that can really enjoy it and appreciate its historical value
Read moreViola Smith turns 106
Viola Smith (born November 29, 1912) is an American drummer best known for her work in orchestras, swing bands, and popular music from the 1920s until 1975. She was one of the first professional female drummers.
Read moreMelvin and Me - "I've never had a bad night"
"I've never had a bad night!"
Yup, that's what Mel Lewis said, as stated by John Riley in "Beyond Bop Drumming." At the time, John thought it seemed like a bit of hubris, but Mel had a very good explanation. You see, Mel strove to be such a proficient player that even on an off night he was still plenty good at his job.
Read more1932-33 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 6.5 x 14 LUDWIGOLD STANDARD MODEL
*I am saying 1932-33 because of the internal tone control. Tone controls were first seen at L & L in 1932 and the Ludwigold option ended in 1933.
Read moreWuhan Cymbals and Gongs - now under ownership of Cardinal Percussion
The recently established wholesaler/distributor, Cardinal Percussion, has acquired the Wuhan Cymbals and Gongs brand. Percussion’s Jim Bickley stated, “the entire Wuhan line will receive some exciting changes that will appeal to the needs and demands of today’s drummers.” In addition to their own brands, Attack Drum Heads, Cardinal Packaged Goods, Wuhan Cymbals & Gongs, Cardinal Percussion will also be carrying a multitude of other popular domestic brand names known to dealers and percussionists worldwide.
Read moreBen Dixon, noted jazz drummer, dies.
Dixon was one of the great organ jazz specialists. He was born in Gaffney, South Carolina and grew up in Washington D.C. and Buffalo, NY. Early in his career, Dixon played with Buck Hill, Shirley Horn and Webster Young. During Dixon’s three-year stint with the popular r&b singer Lloyd Price, Dixon met John Patton, whom he persuaded to take up the Hammond. Introduced by Lou Donaldson to Blue Note’s Alfred Lion, Dixon and Patton (plus guitarist Grant Green) went on to form a prolific tandem on many of the label’s now-classic soul jazz albums of the early and mid-sixties. He
Read moreFamous drummer John Von Ohlen "The Baron" dies at age 77
Legendary jazz drummer John Von Ohlen, “The Baron,” died on Oct. 3 following a long illness. He was 77.
He was a drummer, bandleader and recording artist. You could only marvel at his effortless technique, his musicality and his seamless communication with his fellow musicians. Small wonder he was the drummer of choice for Rosemary Clooney, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Tony Bennett, Benny Goodman, Mel Torme and Perry Como. He toured and recorded with Kenton for two years.. Von Ohlen was one of the last big band drummers of his era.
Read moreFor Sale: "The Most Costly Drum In the World" - The Wm. S. Hart All Gold Ludwig Snare Drum
The William S. Hart All Gold snare drum, made by Ludwig & Ludwig in 1925, owned by one family since then, is about to see the light of day. Some lucky person is going to be able to buy it and I hope I get to chronicle the story. Donn Bennett is the broker - www.DonnBennett.com . Since William S. Hart started off as a Shakespearean actor, I will quote the Bard with a little bit of a change as I daydream about this drum….. “This is such stuff as dreams are made on”.
Read moreHarvey Wolfson and his Gretsch Drums
“By now it was 1956, and my drums were getting pretty worn and shabby from all the traveling. So I talked to the officer in charge of the tour, whose name was Lieutenant Whiting. I told him that I’d pretty much used my drums up playing so many dates. He told me to go to the music store in downtown Atlanta and order whatever I thought I was going to need, and send the bill to him.
“I went to the store and ordered the best set of drums that I could find in the Gretsch catalog: a Broadkaster ‘Bop’ outfit, including two 22″ K Zildjian cymbals.
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