Modern Drummer Magazine

Well, Elvin Jones, obviously, and Tony Williams. There's a lot of drummers I can go, "Hey, they're fine players" to. It's only recently I've become aware of somebody like Sid Catlett and Philly Joe Jones, and especially old Jo Jones for the brush thing, because brushes is like a dying art, it seems, with the younger players.

Andrew Cyrille has always been interested in the interpretive power of drums and percussion, and he has shown various aspects of this in contexts ranging from the Cecil Taylor Unit, to solo percussion albums and concerts. Here, he shares his thoughts on maintaining musical values while taking care of economic needs.

With every instrument, there are certain players who, through their musicianship, manage to raise everyone's consciousness about how that instrument can he played. Often, these players also become involved with instrument design, in an effort to reduce the physical limitations of the instrument itself.

I've been traveling and playing for money since I was about 14. I'm 25 today. I started out playing in some gospel/rock bands on the West Coast. Much of my fatback, heart and soul comes from that music, and working around people like the Archers and Andre Crouch.

Butch Baron was raised on Long Island, New York, but has spent the last few years on the West Coast. He has taken the seeming "adversity" of being a drummer with only one leg and turned it into an "opportunity."