Dennis Chambers Archives - Modern Drummer Magazine

Dennis Chambers

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.

The Big Drum-Off

The name Rodger Fox may not ring a bell for some readers outside of New Zealand or Los Angeles, but he is very well known by just about everyone in the Land of the Long White Cloud (“Aotearoa,” the Maori…

By Peter Erskine
Apr 30, 2023

Modern Drummer 2022 Readers Poll Winners

It is time to announce the winners of the 2022 Modern Drummer Readers Poll. Congratulations to all of the winners, and thanks for your artistry and contributions towards the history and evolution of modern drumming. Thank you for your recordings,…

Aug 31, 2022

12 MD Cover Artists on Playing for the Song From the Modern Drummer Archives

As we honor Charlie Watts in this special tribute issue, we wanted to take a look back at how some other drummers accomplished what Watts did so brilliantly—which was create parts and arrangements that enhanced the song. A lot of…

Oct 29, 2021

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.…

Aug 1, 2020

The 5/4 Half-Time Shuffle

A Perennial Groove with an Enlightened Perception For those of you who’ve never heard the coveted half-time shuffle, which is also commonly referred to as the Purdie shuffle, I’d encourage you to check out the timeless tracks “Babylon Sisters” and…

by Daniel Bédard
Aug 26, 2019

Dennis Chambers

With a gleam in his eye, DC takes control of the out vamp and thrills the Blue Note crowd with a flourish of sweeps TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15%…

Story by Robin Tolleson | Photos by Steve Parke
Jan 30, 2019

It Was Twenty Years Ago....

This is the issue of Modern Drummer that’s given out at the annual winter NAMM trade show, which is being  held between January 24 and 27 at the Convention Center in Anaheim, California. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital…

Jan 30, 2019

Dennis Chambers’ Half-Time Shuffle

In this lesson, we’ll focus on variations of a groove that Chambers plays on the song “Babylon Sisters.” TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of…

By Daniel Bédard
Jan 30, 2019

What’s Your Favorite Dennis Chambers Performance?

Steely Dan’s "Alive in America" is amazing! the perfect groove for the perfect music. “Josie,”“Peg,” and “Babylon Sisters” are all awesome. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly Magazine…

Jan 30, 2019

Dennis Chambers: Multidimensional Rhythmic Warrior

By merging elements of funk, fusion, R&B, and jazz into a daunting style that rides magically on a carpet of stunning power and technical exhilaration, Dennis Chambers has become one of the most important and influential drummers of the post-fusion…

by Ken Micallef
Mar 6, 2018

Great 80s Drum Performances, Part 2: Jazz and Fusion

The ’80s might not be anyone’s first reference point for the golden age of jazz, but a closer examination reveals wonders under the surface. Sure, traditional acoustic jazz was no longer in favor, though some of the established innovators of…

Ilya Stemkovsky
Feb 17, 2017

October 2006 - Volume 30 • Number 10

Chris Adler, Billy Kilson, Dennis Chambers, James “The Rev” Sullivan, Gary Chester, Patrick Hallahan, Mike Wengren, Timmy Biery, Chuck Burgi, Lee Crystal, Steve Smith, Michael Novak Jr., Dave Weckl, Dave Mattacks, Dick Shanahan, Walter “Clyde” Orange, Neil Peart, Morgan Rose,…

Oct 1, 2006

January 2005 - Volume 29 • Number 1

John Blackwell, Prince, Jason Bittner, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gregg Bissonette, Glenn Kotche, Shelly Mane, Steve Barney, Jack Irons, Brooks Wackerman, Gregg Bendian, Michael Brueggen, Oliver Charles, Benjamin Weikel, Dennis Chambers, Adrian Erlandsson TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access…

Jan 1, 2005

July 2003 - Volume 27 • Number 7

Steve Jocz, Gene Krupa, ?uestlove, Steven Drozd, Louie Bellson, Chris Knapp, Daniel Glass, Shannon Leto, Jody Cortez, Neal Smith, Randy Caputo, Dennis Chambers, Hilary Jones, John Riley TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99…

Jul 1, 2003

December 2002 - Volume 26 • Number 12

Dennis Chambers, Karl Perazzo, Raul Rekow, Pat Wilson, Terry Bozzio, Cyrus Bolooki, Philly Joe Jones, Brian Levy, Barrett Martin, Brendan Canty, Mickey Hart, John Carlarco, Chris Hesse, Bill Stewart, David Garibaldi, Russ McKinnon, Shawn Pelton TO READ THE FULL STORY:…

Dec 1, 2002