Modern Drummer Magazine

Terry Williams is the drummer in Dire Straits. This may sound like a simplistic statement, but it’s surprising how many people need prodding to identify the person behind the distinctive, powerful rhythms driving one of the most successful bands in the world right now. Probably only an un-rock-star-like character trait—he’s unpretentious and prefers to use […]

Armand Zildjian starts a lot of his sentences the same way: “I’ve got a cymbal that . . . ,” after which he describes the attributes of a particular cymbal in his private collection. His enthusiasm is evident as he expounds on whatever it is that makes the cymbal special to him, and after you’ve […]

People think of Katrina & The Waves, and in their minds, no doubt, they see a future star in Katrina Leskanich, and a young, exciting band whose best work is yet to be heard. The band has already proven itself worthy of critical praise and attention—”Walking On Sunshine” is destined to become a classic—and the […]

I have raised a lot of eyebrows by admitting that I like Barry Manilow. I guess it’s not hip to like someone such as that. But I have been to enough Manilow concerts to know and respect his multifaceted talents as a writer, arranger, and performer of a variety of styles. It is essential that […]

There is something about this new breed of jazz musician coming up today. These young players, in this so-called “renaissance of jazz,” have an intensity and excitement about what they are doing that is breathing life into a genre that has seemed to stagnate over the last decade. Ralph Peterson, Jr., is one of these […]