Features
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.
Warren Cohen: Under The Big Top
SF: What does it take to become a circus drummer? WC: You have to be familiar with every style of music and drumming. Latin, rock, shows, marches, contemporary, disco. You have to have all those in mind and be comfortable…
Larry Tolfree & Sue Hadjopoulos
Watching Sue Hadjopoulos on percussion and Larry Tolfree on drums, one would think they’d been playing with Joe Jackson for eons, and certainly working together for even longer. Neither of the above assumptions is accurate. Tolfree has been working with…
Kenny Jones
I was blown away by a Who concert as a 15-year-old, and for all the subsequent years, claimed that as my favorite live performance. Little has changed. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
John Marshall: Astute Musicianship
John Marshall is one of the most important and influential of British drummers, having been a mainstay of the English jazz and rock scene for almost two decades. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Kenny Clare — Conservative Accompanist
When I mentioned Kenny Clare's name to Joe Morello one day, Joe responded: "He's the best jazz drummer in England. Kenny's just a fine musician." TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Ginger Baker — Alive And Well
"Hello—this is Ginger Baker. I'm calling to say goodbye ..." This sounded final and gloomy. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Pete Best: Silver Beatle
Unless you happened to be in Hamburg, Germany, or Liverpool, England between the years of 1960 and 1962, you would not have seen the Beatles' original drummer, Pete Best. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Jack Sperling
Jack Sperling's experience with big bands, combos, show and studio conductors, network staff groups and as back-up drummer for star performers would be difficult to match—and this shows no sign of letting up. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO…
Larry Blackmon — Soul Inspiration
Larry Blackmon became a feature interview by way of a lucky accident. Lucky for us. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
The Traditional Roots Of Billy Higgins
Billy Higgins is a modest human being who is proud to be part of jazz history. If playing is an extension of an individual's personality, then that statement has no better empirical proof than in the presence of Mr. Higgins.…
Clem Burke — Controlled Craziness
Something strange happened on the last Blondie tour. Usually, when the reviews come out, Debbie Harry is talked about as though she is doing a solo act with anonymous back-up musicians. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Jeff Porcaro
Whether listening to Jeff Porcaro on vinyl or watching him in the studio or on a live gig, a multitude of adjectives come to mind. First and foremost is finesse: an artful delicacy of performance, a tastefulness and subtlety. TO…
Peter Erskine
If Peter Erskine isn't careful, he's going to start giving jazz, musicians a good name. I mean, we all know about the reputation jazz players have with the general public, right? TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Chester Thompson Up For The Challenge
You've seen the ad: an enormous double-bass outfit with eight deep-shell tom-toms, and behind the mighty set, the affable, but powerful, Chester Thompson. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN