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Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.

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Zakir Hussain 1951-2024

Ustad Zakir Hussain Allarakha Qureshi was the greatest and most well-known tabla player in the world. He won Grammy’s, and was recognized by the United States, Indian, and Japanese governments for his artistic contributions to the world. His collaborations and…

Modern Drummer
Feb 1, 2025

Roy Owen Haynes 1925-2024

Roy Haynes was one of the most influential drummers ever. His identifiable sound, vocabulary, sense of swing, musicality, innovation, and unbridled creativity permeated every bandstand and recording that he graced with his magical drumming. To see Roy Haynes was always…

By Mark Griffith
Feb 1, 2025

Nik Hughes' Bush Touring Kit

Drums: DW Design Series Gloss White Finish – 18×22 Kick drum, 9×12 Rack Tom, 14×16 Floor Tom, 16×18 Floor Tom Snares: 6.5×14 DW Bell Brass snare drum, 5.5×14 Maple snare drum Gloss White finish. Heads: Evans – Toms: clear G2’s on top Clear…

Photos by Jason Mehler
Feb 1, 2025

Hand-Picked Vinyl February 2025

As the music world continues to see a resurgence in Vinyl (LP’s,) Vinyl Me Please (VMP) is curating and producing some of the best vinyl remasters and pressings around. They are scouring the history of recorded music for forgotten gems…

Modern Drummer
Feb 1, 2025

Out Now February 2025

Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performances from the drummer and/or musicians in the band. This…

Modern Drummer
Feb 1, 2025
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Boston's "Foreplay/Long Time" drummer Sib Hashian

Written in 1969 by Tom Scholz, “Foreplay/Long Time” was the first song recorded by Boston. Initially recorded with the band’s original drummer, Jim Masdea, the studio insisted on replacing him, leading Tom to recruit Sib Hashian. For the recording, Sib was tasked…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Feb 1, 2025

Brush Playing, Not Air Conditioning Part 2

“And the seasons, they go round and roundAnd the painted ponies go up and downWe’re captive on the carousel of timeWe can’t return, we can only lookBehind, from where we cameAnd go round and round and round, in the circle…

By Peter Erskine
Feb 1, 2025

Drumming and Love, Love and Drumming

This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Daniel Wagoner of Browns Summit, North Carolina. Daniel commissioned Varus Drums to build this unique kit for his wife as a 50th Birthday Gift. They had originally met because Daniel…

Modern Drummer
Feb 1, 2025

Roy and Zakir

At the very end of 2024 the music world lost two legendary drummers, Roy Haynes and Zakir Hussain. I am fortunate enough to have known, spent time with, and interviewed both men. Roy Haynes was my first and strongest jazz…

Modern Drummer
Feb 1, 2025

Josh Manuel's Kane Brown Touring Set

DRUMS: Sonor SQ1 Birch: 20×22 Kick, 7.5×10 Rack Tom, 8×12 Rack Tom, 16×16 Floor TomSNARE DRUMS: 6.5×14 Honest Abe Brass Snare, 7×14 SJC Josh Manuel Signature Copper Snare, 6.5×14 Ludwig Black Beauty Snare.HEADS: Evans Drumheads. Kick (Batter) EMAD2 Clear, Rack…

Modern Drummer
Jan 1, 2025

Hand-Picked Vinyl January 2025

As the music world continues to see a resurgence in Vinyl (LP’s,) Vinyl Me Please (VMP) is curating and producing some of the best vinyl remasters and pressings around. They are scouring the history of recorded music for forgotten gems…

Modern Drummer
Jan 1, 2025

Out Now January 2025

Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performances from the drummer and/or musicians in the band. This…

Modern Drummer
Jan 1, 2025
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Brush Playing, Not Air Conditioning

Getting Started Brushes are generally associated with jazz drumming more than they are with other styles of music, but they can be played and used effectively in most any genre or category of rhythm section-based music. While the following column…

By Peter Erskine
Jan 1, 2025

Jeff Kozol's UltramarineMapex Armory Set

This month’s Modern Drummer Kit of the Month comes to us from Jeff Kozol. His drums are made by Mapex, his cymbals are Zildjian, his sticks are Immortal Signature 5B/Ball Tip/17” with Venom Grip made by Scorpion, and he uses…

Modern Drummer
Jan 1, 2025
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