I just remember looking at this melody part and I noticed a bar of 22 notes over four beats followed by 23 notes over four beats. These notes were also jumping large intervals. Frank asked Ed” ‘Is this playable?’ Ed just looked at him and said, sure, I’ll shed it tonight and play it for you tomorrow, which he did.
Read moreJazz Brushes for the Modern Drummer - Reviewing Tradition and Playing Good Time
You may ask, “Ulysses what if I don’t play gigs requiring brushes?”
I believe for any musician who plays the drums, it doesn’t matter. Learning the brushes is part of your due diligence on the drum kit.
Read moreJerry Allison, drummer for Buddy Holly and the Crickets, passes
Jerry “JI” Allison, drummer for Buddy Holly and the Crickets and co-writer on some of their biggest hits, has died. He was 82.
Read moreDrums From the Eastern Bloc
Those who lived in the Eastern Block in the communist era have different recollections of those days. Some miss them, some curse them. I am too young to remember it well, but what I do know is that it wasn’t very pretty. Communism was very efficient at sucking creative juices out of those less persistent, as well as the will to do things that weren’t widely accepted in the society.
Read moreWhat in the heck is this? Kitchen & Co. snare drum
Hi, are you able to tell me anything about a brass snare drum I have, its marked 'KITCHEN & Co.MAKERS,LEEDS. 4 80'.
Read more1929 Ludwig & Ludwig New Era snare drum, WMP, 5x14
I just purchased a rare snare drum from Olympic Drums in Portland Oregon. It's a WMP, 5x14, 1929 Ludwig & Ludwig New Era wood snare drum.
Read moreGHOST! Excerpts from the Ludwig Line - Bass Drum Pedals - a book by Steve Zemanek
A book I wrote on the Ludwig Line of bass drum pedals exists for one reason. I ran out of room!
Read moreMy Canister Thrones (including one of Buddy Rich's)
These are a few of my canister thrones. I have had most of them for many years. I have always used them on every set I own - they all match the finish of a set. All drums and snares match making very complete vintage drum sets.
Read morePaul Brown: Give it up for Mitch Mitchell !
Roger recalls being approached by, ex Animals bassist, Chas Chandler asking " Would you guys mind giving up your middle set tonight? " for a new act. After clearing it with the club`s manager and confirmation that they would still be paid in full for the night, Roger and the band also agreed to loan their backline and drum kit. Enter the recently formed Jimi Hendrix Experience who, after recording their first single `Hey Joe` only two days prior, were about to perform their British debut showcase gig!
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 moreGene Krupa: A Tribute
And he had chops. Bellson says, "I would say that Gene was a great influence on every drummer. He brought drums to the foreground. Before his time, it was, 'Oh well, we've got 17 musicians and a drummer.' When he came into the picture, drums became a solo instrument. He added that great integrity to the drum section. When you see a drum soloist, even today, Gene is responsible for that."
Read moreWhat in the heck is this?
I read with interest your article on the Buescher True-Tone Snare Drum.I am attaching a couple of photographs of an old snare drum that I thought might interest you. The skins are almost certainly animal skins, and the snare wires are wire wound around silk. The clamps appear to be nickel plated and are free floating, not connected in any way to the main shell.
Read moreWhere would this old drum rank on a scale of dumpster to museum?
I purchased an old drum in Nashville in the mid-90s and have never been able to identify its manufacturer or its value.
Read moreRalph Peterson Jr., Drummer Who Re-Enlivened Hard Bop, Dead At 58
Ralph Peterson Jr., a drummer, bandleader, composer and educator whose lunging propulsion and volatile combustion were hallmarks of a jazz career spanning more than 40 years, died on Monday in North Dartmouth, Mass. The cause was complications from cancer, his manager, Laura Martinez, tells NPR Music; Peterson had been living with the disease for the last six years. He was 58.
Read moreDuffy Jackson, Ebullient Drummer with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie and Others, Dies at 67
Duffy Jackson, a drummer whose swinging exuberance propelled him from child stardom to a prolific career behind Lionel Hampton, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and many others, died on Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn. He was 67.
The cause was complications from hip surgery, Sandra Anton, his first cousin, tells WBGO.
Read moreDrummers And Their Swag
And I got to thinking — there once was a time when every T-shirt I owned and every stationary object in my apartment were plastered with drum industry logos.
Read moreBuddy Rich's Mystery Cymbal
In October of 2020, I stumbled upon a post in Face book regarding a 1950’s K. Zildjian 13” hi hat bottom cymbal. It was an oddity.
Read moreBorn Together: 1966 Mint Condition Ludwig Burgundy Sparkle Kit
As the kick drum bag contained an inventory identifying the kit as having a matching jazz fest from an original sale in Milwaukee, I immediately wondered, what happened to the matching jazz fest?
Read moreViola Smith 1912 - 2020
Did you know Louie Bellson said that he began playing the double bass drums only after watching Viola do it?
Read moreRIP Charli Persip
Charli Persip, whose career as a leading jazz drummer included close associations with Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Weston and many others — along with nearly 40 years at the helm of his own big band, SuperSound — died at Mt. Sinai Morningside in New York City on Sunday.He was 91. His daughter, Jean Elliott, confirmed his death.
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