As Miles Davis said, "A drummer like Tony comes around only once in 30 years."
Read moreDan Britt: remembering Tony Williams
Growing Up In The Shadow Of Joe Morello: Part Three -- Remembering Joe Sefcik
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
Read moreBrian Dunne: Live At Daryl's House
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.
Read morePeter Magadini: Remembering Tony Williams
I had some first-hand experience with Tony Williams while attending the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in1965 and several years after that.
Read moreJoe Gansas and Doug Meola: Remembering Tony Williams
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.
Read moreDavid Garibaldi: My Time With A Master - Remembering Tony Williams
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.
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom Chapter 29
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.
Read moreTris Imboden: Remembering Tony Williams
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
Read more‘MIKE DROP’ REVIEW Drummer Mike Clark releases another brilliant CD
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.
Read moreRemembering Tony Williams - Rick Shlosser
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!
Read moreOne Sweet Ride
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.
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 28
”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.”
Read moreBilly Arnold: Remembering Tony Williams
"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!
Read moreMike Clark: Remembering Tony Williams
“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.
Read morePete Cater: Remembering Tony Williams
“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."
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 27
“Some shuffles might be too nasty for some bands or players so you have to take some of the grease or looseness off of it - or change how it moves. Same with funk beats, some are too funky and cats don't get it. Am I the only one that has experienced this? It's like a 1958 Chevy with a big engine and glass pack muffler. It shook when you went through the gears. It felt like the body was fitting on the frame real loose. Some cats would drive it and think something was wrong.”
Read moreGreg Caputo: Remembering Tony Williams
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.
Read moreFOREST SIGNED TO RECORD DEAL - 44 YEARS LATER!
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.
Read moreTerry Silverlight Presents New Music Video Album - 'In My Own Silver Light'
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.
Read moreTim Smith: Remembering Tony Williams
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 more