Mark Griffith
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.
Raphaël Pannier: Breaking Down Borders
Last year, Raphaël Pannier released his recording Live in Saint Louis, Senegal. When I first listened to it, I liked it because it was something new, the combination of a jazz quartet and an African Sabar drumming group was something…
Tambour Major Khadim Niang: Sabar and Homage to Doudou N’Diaye Rose
As drummers we are always hearing about our connection to Africa, and how the roots of what we do as drummers ultimately leads back to Africa. The African connection to drumming has been emphasized by popular drummers from Art Blakey…
Josh Freese Gives Us, Just A Minute.
A few years ago, Josh Freese was thrown in the spotlight by joining the Foo Fighters. Then he got even more attention when he was let go by the Foo Fighters. But Josh Freese is so much more than that!…
Why Do You Play Drums?
A student recently asked me why I play drums. In my 45 years of playing drums and 25 years of teaching, I have been asked a lot of difficult questions. However, this answer seemed simple. Whenever I heard drumming as…
John Otto: Feeling Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
There aren’t a lot of drummers who bring aspects of rap and hip hop, rock and metal, and strong doses of jazz and swing to their drumming, but John Otto does. His time feel is the special sauce that makes…
The Social Groove of Change
Playing and creating music is a social activity. Both of this month’s feature interviews state the importance of playing music with people. It’s an important step in becoming a musician (not “just” a drummer.) Whether you are making beats with…
A Year of Modern Drummer’s Metal Sticks Podcast
New in 2025, Modern Drummer debuted a new podcast called Metal Sticks, hosted by Modern Drummer Publisher and CEO David Frangioni and legendary drummer Nicko McBrain, who recently retired from 42 years with Iron Maiden. The idea for the podcast…
2025 Modern Drummer Hall of Fame Inductee: Jim Keltner
During this Christmas season, when you are being bombarded by Christmas music, listen for Michael Buble’s version of “All I Want for Christmas” and bask in the groove of Modern Drummer 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Keltner. That is…
Thanks to Jack and Chick: One of the Best Days of My Life
In 2009, I interviewed Jack DeJohnette for the Percussive Notes and Modern Drummer. Jack and I met in the afternoon before a trio concert he was playing with Chick Corea and Bobby McFerrin. I arrived to find Jack’s black Sonor…
John Lennon & Yoko Ono, John/Yoko Plastic Ono Band
Power to the People, with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Box Set Capitol Records’ new Power to the People, with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Box Set is an amazing set for any music fan, but it’s an absolute treat…
Congrats, Geddy, Alex, and Anika!
Upon hearing the news about Rush’s 50 Something Tour, I was instantly happy for Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson; they deserve to be out there playing the music that they love and created with Neil Peart. I think Neil would…
Stan Lynch Part 2: Drummer, Songwriter, Producer
Last month we talked to Stan Lynch about his new (breath of fresh air) band The Speaker Wars and their wonderful new self-titled record. But Stan Lynch has had a very special and wide-ranging career in music. There was the…
Reimagining and the Three C's
It’s fantastic to be featuring Todd Sucherman, Stan Lynch, Kassa Overall and Evgeny Novikov this month. All four drummers have done quite a bit of reimagining within their musical careers. Reimagining anything takes the Three C’s: Creativity, Commitment, and Courage.…
Stan Lynch Returns with The Speaker Wars Part One
Drummer, songwriter, producer, Stan Lynch is back, but did he ever really leave? The last time many of us saw him he was departing Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the peak of their success. I thought he was crazy,…
