“Bill III and his Dad had been working with my company for nine months on my design of the FIRST digital drum set in the world (not analog). Selmer squelched the deal (Not Bill senior or III). The unit was to have Ludwig endorsee recordings as parts of the set settings.”

World renowned drummer, percussionist, and inventor Bob Gatzen passed away on December 29, 2023 following a nine year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Dino joined long-time friend Steven Van Zandt’s group – ‘The Disciples Of Soul’. Dino designed Steven’s first four albums between 1982, and 1989. He also recorded and toured with the group during that same time period.

Apparently, being one of the greatest Rock drummers of all time just wasn’t enough for Dino Danelli. Beginning in 1965, Dino began to experiment with painting and drawing. Soon afterwards, his incredible talents led to the creation of numerous album cover designs for the Rascals, Fotomaker, and Little Steven Van Zandt.

Paul Wertico has always gone above and beyond the established definitions of ‘What Jazz Is’

Enjoyed listening to ‘Sherinian/Phillips Live’ so much that I must have played it over a dozen times…

A special limited edition version of Buddy Rich’s best-selling live album ‘Birdland’ will be released July 21, 2023 featuring an exclusive translucent red vinyl.

When Miles came to Boston to play Lennie’s on the Turnpike in 1967 my brothers and I were there. The band now included Wayne Shorter and Joe Henderson on tenors plus Eddie Gomez filling in

for Ron Carter. Needless to say, they blew the walls down. At one point Tony had played so hard that Miles jokingly threw a towel at him to wipe his face.

In honoring his former boss, Mike wanted to focus on Herbie Hancock’s Blue Note period rather than the later funky stuff that Mike Clark is best known for.

As for Joe Sefcik, he was a bit intimidating if you hadn't practiced when you showed up for your lesson! You could feel his disappointment, but then he would show lots of patience, as any good teacher would, and get you back on track! -Rick Schlosser

Brian Dunne has played on thousands of gigs since his high school days - yet, Brian’s greatest notoriety comes from his longtime affiliation with the hit television series, ‘Live At Daryl’s House’ which is presently recording a brand new season – Brian is once again playing with some of finest musicians on the planet. He credits his success to networking and lots of luck with each new gig leading to something else.

I had some first-hand experience with Tony Williams while attending the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in1965 and several years after that.

Throughout his career Tony inspired countless drummers to strive for excellence and find their own voices, as he had done throughout his remarkable career. Drummers such as Terry Bozzio, Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham, Vinnie Colaiuta, Peter Erskine, David Garibaldi, Steve Jordan, Jim Keltner, Michael Shrieve, Steve Smith, Charlie Watts and Dave Weckl have all named Tony Williams as an important influence on their playing.

My teaching studio was directly across the hall from his, where he was conducting group classes. I could hear him in there sounding like he sounded on all those Miles and Herbie recordings. Cool stuff. Because we were right there close, we started hanging out after our teaching sessions and basically just bullshitting about everything.

Herbie Hancock taught me when I was young to follow my own light - not to get caught up in the latest thing, fad or person.

I was always totally enthralled by Tony Williams’ playing. Ever since I was first aware listening to him on Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" I was a total fan... Absolutely stunned by his depth, feel, and creativity. Also, he seemed completely fearless and willing to just completely throw it out there when the spirit hit him

Legendary drummer Mike Clark’s latest CD titled ‘MIKE DROP’ is another powerful example of just how incredible a player he is. Featuring Michael Zilber on saxophones, Matt Clark on piano, with Peter Barshay on bass…It was recorded at Oakland, California’s 25th Street Studio where the sound and clarity is amazing… According to Mike, most of the tunes were first takes - just the way he likes it.

Tony's band, Lifetime, was playing at Ungano's, so I went to check them out. I had a seat about six feet from Tony's left side, and not only was the band incredibly loud in this little hard-surfaced bar, but I walked away thinking Tony was playing a different instrument than I was. I don't think I learned or understood one thing he was playing... Just simply ferocious and amazing playing!

On view at The Memphis Drum Shop -- Joe Morello's legendary 'Take 5' ride cymbal displayed in all of its historical significance. The provenance is without question.

”Fortune is so fleeting yet many of us get caught up in wanting it. I see people doing something and think, I wish I was on that gig or record date... Then all of a sudden I get a call from someone I met twenty years ago asking me to do something really cool and I think - Things ain't so bad.”

"I first heard Tony Williams when I was in the army band. That was in 1963 and Tony had just joined Miles Davis. He was only seventeen and I couldn't believe how he expressed himself so differently than other drummers!

“Like many of us, I was pondering Tony Williams' effect on the music world.

I remember how we all sounded before Tony and after. Very Different... Most of us were trying to sound like Max Roach, or Philly Joe Jones but then 'Four and More' came out. Within a year on the West Coast if you wanted to work with guys like Bobby Hutcherson or Woody Shaw - you had to have some sort of answer for this 'new and modern' type of playing. Tony turned the jazz drumming world upside down.

“Tony was, in my opinion, one of the few master improvisers of our instrument. He added significantly to the vocabulary of jazz drumming and though his earliest recorded output is now over sixty years old, it nonetheless sounds as ground breaking and innovative as if recorded yesterday."

Tony developed under the tutelage of master drummer/teacher, Alan Dawson. Miles Davis opened more avenues for development by stating, “You can’t make any mistakes in my band.” This encouraged Tony and gave him a clear musical canvas to create and develop his improvisational skills.

Drummers Bob Girouard and Gary Stevens See Their Dreams Come True

Editor’s note (Bob Giroaurd has written many articles for Modern Drummer and other drum publications)

In what might be the longest delayed record deal in history, Forest, the Massachusetts-based eclectic blues/rock/jazz band that broke up back in 1979, has signed a distribution deal with BBE Records of London, England, who is re-releasing on vinyl Forest’s eponymous and only LP, recorded in 1978.

Previously, Terry has made several solo albums featuring himself in various musical styles and settings... Including ensembles, duets, songwriter collaborations with guest instrumentalists and vocalists. He's had the opportunity to perform and record with some of the world's most outstanding musicians... Including, Vic Juris - Eric Kloss, Phil Woods - Barry Miles, The Manhattan Jazz Orchestra - Billy Ocean - George Benson -Laura Nyro - Natalie Merchant - Freddie Jackson and Jeffrey Osborne...To name a few.

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.”

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.

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.

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.