Departments
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…