Art Blakey Archives - Modern Drummer Magazine

Art Blakey

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.

Art Blakey

Excerpted from the September 1984 issue The first rays of dusk suffuse Art Blakey’s Greenwich Village apartment with shards of amber gray light, and as the shadows dance upon his brow, Blakey’s face takes on a totemic grace. The snow-white…

Story by Chip Stern
Jan 10, 2022

10 Pieces of Wisdom from the MD Archives

In its 45 years of publication, Modern Drummer has collected essential data from thousands of remarkable drummers, percussionists, and educators. Throughout our 45th anniversary in 2021, we will offer some features that celebrate the musicians, editors, writers, and photographers who…

Modern Drummer
May 17, 2021

The Charleston

The Root Rhythm of Jazz and Beyond The Charleston was a popular dance rhythm during the 1920s that got its name from the popular composition of the same name by pianist/composer James P. Johnson. The syncopated Charleston rhythm is one…

Modern Drummer
Aug 1, 2020

What Was Your First Favorite Drum Record?

Vivid by Living Colour. Will Calhoun plays masterfully and with tons of power. It was perfect: playable but loaded with nuance.Scott Sparks Manu Katché on Peter Gabriel’s Secret World Live. I was around five, and it just blew my mind.…

Modern Drummer
Aug 1, 2020

The Big Beat of Hard-Bop Great Art Blakey

In both deeds and words, Art Blakey was the definition of a dedicated jazz musician, mentor, and musical messenger. His driving, thunderous, and propulsive playing style synthesized the rhythmic approach of West African drumming coupled with American blues. TO READ…

Steve Fidyk
May 1, 2020

BJ Miller with Health

Since answering a drummer-wanted Craigslist ad that listed influences from Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath to Public Image Ltd. and Can, BJ Miller has proven the ideal rhythm generator for his band. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital…

Modern Drummer
Nov 25, 2019

Art Blakey

THE first rays of dusk suffuse Art Blakey's Greenwich Village apartment with shards of amber gray light, and as the shadows dance upon his brow, Blakey's face takes on a totemic grace. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital…

by Chip Stern
Jul 25, 2018

Louis Hayes — Putting Things Together

When one thinks of the great jazz cities, the first names that come to mind are New Orleans, Chicago, Kansas City, and New York. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15%…

by Lee Jeske
Jun 28, 2018

Art Blakey: The Mentor

We all know those iconic black-and-white images: Blakey at the kit, sweat beads on his forehead, a flash in the eyes, and that mouth agape—sometimes with the tongue flat out—in pure elation. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital…

by Jeff Potter
Mar 19, 2018

The 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time

Whose playing endures through the decades? Whose music do we reach for when we want new ideas? When we want to practice? When we want to laugh? Who inspires and delights us most? TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN…

Entries written by Adam Budofsky, Michael Dawson, and Michael Parillo
Feb 1, 2018

John Densmore - Reflections

In the following interview with the Doors' John Densmore, it is impossible to catch all of his sense of humor or see his very animated way of expressing himself. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month…

by Robyn Flans
Oct 19, 2017

Ralph Peterson - Forward Motion

In addition to his own projects, Peterson performed and/or recorded with the greatest talent in jazz, including Branford Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Craig Harris, David Murray, Ron Carter, Terence Blanchard, Charles Lloyd, Stanley Turrentine, the Count Basie Orchestra, Steve Coleman, Stanley…

Modern Drummer
Mar 8, 2017

Terri Lyne Carrington: She's Only Just Begun

Why a feature story on a twelve year old little girl in a drummers magazine? Very simple. Terri Lyne Carrington of Medford, Massachusetts first off is not your average twelve-year-old girl; and she's not just an average little drummer. She…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Terri Lyne Carrington: She's Only Just Begun

Why a feature story on a twelve year old little girl in a drummers magazine? Very simple. Terri Lyne Carrington of Medford, Massachusetts first off is not your average twelve-year-old girl; and she's not just an average little drummer. She…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Beyond Forever: Lenny White

Lenny White was born in Queens, N. Y. and travelled to Forever. Excuse the forced pun, but it was with Chick Corea's Return to Forever, that Lenny made the reputation that engendered his foray as a solo act."I got a…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017