Tony performed with such energy you could feel it propel the rest of the band. Miles himself said that Tony was “the center that the group's sound revolved around.”
Read moreTim Smith: Remembering Tony Williams
Noble & Cooley - Still Standing - How America's Oldest Drum Factory Stayed in Business For Over 160 years
This is a great video that shows the processes Noble & Cooley Drums uses to produce their one ply drum shells, hardware and finishes. Though I now mostly sell my own Famous Drum Company brand of one ply drums, I consider N&C to be the bench mark. Contact me if you are interested in a Famous or an N&C.
Read moreSmoothing Out the Long Roll
Mat Marucci's performing credits include jazz greats Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Eddie Harris, Buddy De Franco, Les McCann, Pharoah Sanders, and John Tchicai among others and has numerous critically acclaimed recordings to his credit as both leader and sideman.
Mat is the author of several books on drumming and has written numerous articles on drumming for Modern Drummer and Downbeat magazines. He is an endorser for Zildjian, Vic Firth, Remo and formerly both Gretsch and Mapex.
Mat's latest books with Mel Bay Publications are 'Mastering The Snare Drum' and 'Essential Snare Drum Exercises' (both reviewed on Not So Modern Drummer) and 'Jazz Drumming Essentials....And More.' His music and discography can found at Spotify.com and Reverbnation.com and can be heard on most streaming platforms.
Coming to Grips with Grips
You’ve no doubt heard about the various alternatives for the lead hand (both hands in the case of matched grip): German, French and American. You may even have gotten into arguments about it. These variations are relevant to tympani and mallet players, but should drum set players be concerned as well?
Read moreAl Dimeola In Concert Featuring Richie Morales Review
Less was definitely more as Al and Richie burned through sixteen tunes with only a brief intermission. Both complimented each other with amazing displays of virtuosity throughout the show. On numerous occasions Al would smile at Richie giving him a nod of approval at some complex patterns they had just played. Sometimes it seemed to border on telepathy when they each unleashed something totally unexpected, yet it was somehow perfectly synchronized.
Read moreZed Parts sells pre 1967 Yamaha M5 w 0.9 screws that fit drums!
. We sell them to motorcycle owners with pre 1967 bikes and didn't know they fitted drum kits. If you have any guys over there looking for these screws then can you let them know we have plenty?
Read moreRay LeVier: Remembering Tony Williams
I only got to see Tony play on two occasions. Once at The Blue Note and again at Birdland. Both nights, I received the drum lesson of my life and learned firsthand about control, finesse, and confidence. He played that massive canary yellow drum kit with the three floor toms and used every drum melodically and musically. His flams and single stroke rolls knocked me out on the spot. Looking back now, I wish I would’ve checked him out live more, but am grateful for the two times I did.
Read moreSung and Unsung Heroes - Anton Fig
As well as being a much sought-after session drummer, as of this writing, Anton is also the touring drummer with Joe Bonamassa.
Read more1938 Leedy Broadway with Rare 4 Point Strainer
Here is a great example of a 1938 Leedy Broadway Standard in white marine pearl. Leedy only offered this unique 4-point strainer on these models for one year. This snare was special ordered with ornate engraved rims. All hardware was ordered and upgraded to the optional chrome plating. Chrome plating was more expensive than nickel for the upgrade.
Read moreAK Bob Meyer model snare drum
This drum is from 2012 It was made for me by the great Adrian Kirchler from Italy. It is 7" x 14" brass with 24k gold plating. The shell is of 2 piece construction with soldered bearing edges like the 1920s Standard or Black Beauty models from Ludwig, although the "triangle" of the bearing edge is smaller in size [profile] than the
1920s drums.
1935- DUPLEX 5 x 14/13 BUTTERSCOTCH SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS MODEL
This is the standard 1930s 5 x 14/13 Duplex Spirit of St. Louis Model. The shell looks to be some type of “Butterscotch Pearl” finish. I couldn’t find any Duplex finish reference so I’m calling it Butterscotch Pearl for lack of a better term.
Read more1941 Ludwig & Ludwig 8 x 15” Standard Concert snare
A short while ago, I was contacted by a talented drummer by the name of George Sluppick on Instagram. It turns out he had a Ludwig drum from the 1940’s which he wanted to identify and might consider selling. He got the drum from a shop called Lollipop Music in Princeton, WV. They got the drum from a guy who bought it from a pawn shop. So unfortunately, no identity of the original owner. I was still determined to find out more…
Read moreR.I.P. Ronnie Tutt
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of drumming legend Ron Tutt. He had an over 60 year career as an “in demand” session and touring drummer. I’m sure you’ve seen the numerous comments and tributes made by various musician luminaries such as Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Michael McDonald and also from Ron’s former band mates in the TCB Band and Neil Diamond’s band. However, on a personal note , I felt compelled to comment from a different perspective.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
There are a couple of new features here at Not So Modern Drummer magazine.
Read moreLogos on Ludwig Standard Snare Drum Throw-offs and Butt Ends
The goal of this study is to provide accurate information to assist vintage drum collectors to better evaluate the authenticity of Ludwig Standard snare drums by delving deeply into the specifics of when different logos appear on the P-83 model throw-offs and P-32 model butt ends.
Read more40s-50s Slingerland 4x13 BeBop RKs
Two more blasts from the past that I never did articles on. The 4 x 13 Sparkling Gold RK “Be Bop” model was one of my earliest purchases (1995) from Ned Ingberman, The Vintage Drum Center and the WMP 4 x 13 RK Bop model was purchased from a fellow musician in SF about 20 years ago. A special thanks goes to my good friend and fellow collector Mark Cooper for helping me to date these two drums.
Read moreClassified Ad - "Pure" Fiberglass Drum Set
One-of-a-kind, drum set in excellent condition. Thin, spun-fiberglass shells with carbon fiber reinforcement rings deliver a powerful yet warm tone with great response. Manufactured by Ming (Taiwan). UPS shipping is available in North America.
Read moreDaily Rudiments
Not every drummer is expected to be a rudimental expert but familiarity with all forty rudiments is highly recommended for each of us. And it isn’t as big a chore as you might think.
Read more1940s Slingerland Gene Krupa Deluxe Radio King Ensemble 1-N
This set I'm featuring this month is the 1940s Slingerland Radio King set I bought from Brian Scoggins. It has a lovely white marine pearl finish. I think marine pearl looks so good on these vintage drum sets. Even if the finish "yellows" I still love the way it looks. To me, these drums are yellowed to perfection. One must consider these drums are over 70 years old. The Beavertail lugs, and all the hardware is nickel plated. The badges are beautiful brass clouds. The drum sizes are 24X14 bass drum, 16X16, and 13X9 toms, and a matching 14X5 snare. There are two cymbal mounts on the bass drum shell. The high tom mounts on the bass drum hoop with a clip-on holder. The bass drum spurs fit into a mount on the bass drum shell. The shells are 3 ply mahogany poplar mahogany with large maple re-rings. I opened the 13 tom to peek inside. The smell inside was just heavenly. The workmanship is second to none.
Read moreGoing Back In Time - Buddy Rich - 1932
In 1919 at the age of two, Bernard 'Buddy' Rich was already traveling the country with his parents' vaudeville act. By 1932, Buddy had already been performing for 13 years as 'Traps The Drum Wonder'. At 15, he was already headlining with his own group earning up to a thousand dollars a week. That same year he also received a Slingerland endorsement deal. The accolades began rolling in... The year 1932 was an early indicator of all the great things to come for drummer Buddy Rich.
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