Portraits
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.
Kwaku Dadey
Kwaku Dadey is the quintessential African master drummer. He comes from a family in Africa that has a rich musical background. There have been master drummers in Kwaku’s family for well over five generations. Kwaku is a musician who not…
Francis Clay
Francis Clay is one of a handful of drummers who helped to create and define blues drumming. Many rhythm section players get very little recognition for their contributions to the blues and other forms of American music. In the evolution…
Sandy Nelson
For those who grew up in the '60s, Sandy Nelson needs little introduction. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues) 40+ Drum…
Dr. Ralph LaFemina Exploring New Directions
The fact that Dr. Ralph LaFemina was never a performer in the big leagues of music, or that he's a practicing psychologist rather than a full-time musician, does not detract from his contribution to drumming. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
Dottie Dodgion
Don’t make the mistake of asking Dottie Dodgion what it’s like being a female drummer. “I’m so tired of that,” she’s likely to answer. “I’ve been asked that a million times, and being a woman really has nothing to do…
Bruno Carr
Bruno Carr is not a household name with most drummers. But if you could ask Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Michael Franks, Aretha Franklin, Monte Alexander, Stanley Turrentine, Roy Ayers or King Curtis who Bruno Carr is,…
J.C. Heard
J.C. Heard is relaxing in the living room of his modest apartment in Troy, Michigan. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues)…
Archie Alleyne
The funny thing is, that in some circles, Archie Alleyne is known as a restaurateur. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues)…
Kenwood Dennard
At the age of 25, Kenwood Dennard is in a position many drummers would envy. For the past two years he has been playing in one of the top groups in the world, Manhattan Transfer. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
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…
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: LOG IN…
Dennis Elliott
It isn't often that someone is entirely content and satisfied with what he does for a living, but Dennis Elliot of Foreigner is one such person whose accomplishments have surpassed even his goals and imaginings. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
Snarky Puppy's Robert "Sput" Searight
What’s on this monster multi-instrumentalist’s mind when he’s at the drumset with the kaleidoscopic groove machine known as Snarky Puppy? Melody, of course. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital…
Trey Anastasio Band’s Russ Lawton
A pair of late-2012 releases—one crackling with live energy, the other conjuring plenty of studio magic—shows two sides of one crafty drummer. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly…
Korey Horn
The ska and reggae vet may be exploring new musical paths, but he remains true to his rhythmic roots. As an aspiring drummer, reggae and ska stalwart Korey Horn received a piece of advice from his father, jazz singer…
