drummer
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.
Drum Soloist: Elvin Jones
Elvin Jones needs no introduction to drummers. He reached prominence in the early sixties by way of his pioneering rhythmic concepts behind the late, revered tenor saxophonist John Coltrane. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Bill Bruford
Bill Bruford has never attained the widespread fame of Carl Palmer or Billy Cobham. But whenever Bruford's name is mentioned, it is almost invariably prefaced by the term "drummer extraordinaire" or "precise percussionist." TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO…
Max Roach: Back On The Bandstand
Max Roach remains the essential modern drummer. The quality of his work has been proclaimed world-wide as melodic, subtle and intensely musical. Over the last thirty years, jazz percussionists have studied and imitated Roach's unique style. TO READ THE FULL…
Les DeMerle Up Front
Les DeMerle enjoys spending his free time improving his art. Lately, he has found less spare time for such a venture. With a recently completed itinerary of clinics and his new book Jazz/Rock Fusion ready for release, DeMerle is busier…
Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Basic Brush Technique
Brushes, like sticks, are instruments of motion in time. It is motion in time which produces sounds and rhythms in time. Smooth, relaxed motions produce smooth, flowing rhythms. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
South Of The Border: Calypso
Along with reggae, calypso is one of the most popular rhythms of the West Indies. Although its roots are African, calypso originated in the plantations of Trinidad. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
From The Past - Profile Of A Legend: Dave Tough
Almost without exception, every drummer that has left a mark in the jazz world, will tell you that to some degree, they were influenced by Dave Tough. Who was Dave Tough? TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Joe Morello
Joe Morello is a drummer not often written about. The last album to feature Morello was the Dave Brubeck Quartet's 25th Anniversary Reunion. In the liner notes to that album Morello wrote, "It's nice to be remembered when you're old…
Alphonse Mouzon - Marked Man
Al Mouzon is a marked man. He has become stereotyped as just a jazz drummer in America, and has taken refuge in Europe by touring there exclusively. European audiences appreciate the versatility and quality of Mouzon's drumming and music. TO…
Rock Perspectives - Coordination Development
How many of you like a challenge? In this Rock Perspectives series, I'm going to challenge not only your ability to play, but your ability to think as well. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Feet First
We have all heard drummers with terrific hands but with a bass drum foot that could best be described as concrete. We look at the problem. The hands are playing off of the drums using rebound and the control of…
Driver's Seat - Big Band Basics
In my last article, I gave nine rules for better big band drumming. As you may recall, they were: (1) Support, (2) Don't get in the way, (3) Cue (or Direct) the band, (4) Don't overplay (simplify), (5) Keep the…
South Of The Border - Afro-Cuban
The African influence in Latin music is evident to the point where certain rhythms and instruments, including those from the Caribbean and Brazil, can be directly traced to a specific African region or tribe. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE…
Rock Perspectives - Theme And Variations
People ask me how I keep my ideas flowing and how I keep from getting stale and bored. This is a problem many drummers seem to have in common; a lack of ideas or concepts to use in their everyday…
