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.
Billy Hart Drumming from the Past and Present, and Looking Towards the Future
When you walk into a concert hall or a jazz club and see a five-piece set of Pearl drums with an 18” bass drum, 10” and 12” power toms, a 14” floor tom, and a series of overlapping Zildjian cymbals…
Drumming IS Good for You!
In the last two months we have run two features on talented drummers that have experienced drum related injuries. Last month, Mark Schulman discussed his hearing, and this month Michael Cartellone is talking about a foot injury. Although both problems…
Rufus Taylor of The Darkness
After several early gigs and tours with Queen related bands like the Queen Musical, Brian May, Queen (themselves,) and the great Jeff Beck; Rufus Taylor has been playing with The Darkness for 10 years and four records. With their new…
Jonathan Barber: Leading With Conviction
Since Jonathan Barber won Modern Drummer’s Best Up and Coming Drummer in 2018, he has become one of the busiest drummers in jazz. He has been playing with Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, Jeremy Pelt, Jimmy Greene, and Pat…
Zakir Hussain 1951-2024
Ustad Zakir Hussain Allarakha Qureshi was the greatest and most well-known tabla player in the world. He won Grammy’s, and was recognized by the United States, Indian, and Japanese governments for his artistic contributions to the world. His collaborations and…
HOW MARK SCHULMAN OVERCAME HEARING LOSS TO REDEFINE HIS CAREER
If you like music and you haven’t seen Mark Schulman play live by now, I don’t know who you have been watching. Mark Schulman has been a road warrior drummer for 32 years, touring with P!nk, Billy Idol, Foreigner, Stevie…
Steven Doar, Holly Madge, Aicha Djidjelli, Aleksandra Suklar, Buzz Allan Recording Dune Part 2 and Taking Hans Zimmer Live to the Next Level
This month Modern Drummer is honored for the opportunity to interview the entire Hans Zimmer Live touring percussion section of Steven Doar, Holly Madge, Aicha Djidjelli, and Aleksandra Suklar. Who with Buzz Allan, (who does not tour with the percussion…
Roy and Zakir
At the very end of 2024 the music world lost two legendary drummers, Roy Haynes and Zakir Hussain. I am fortunate enough to have known, spent time with, and interviewed both men. Roy Haynes was my first and strongest jazz…
Punk Rock Drumming Roundtable: NOFX’s Erik Sandin, Bad Religion’s Jamie Miller, and Authority Zero’s Chris Dalley
Punk Rock drumming has become an established drumming tradition, and it has deep roots that go way back. The opportunity to sit down with three of today’s most respected and popular punk rock drummers, was an opportunity that Modern Drummer…
2024 Modern Drummer Hall of Fame: Bill Ward
Bill Ward created a style of drumming within the music of Black Sabbath. We’re not going to get into the musical differences between heavy metal and hard rock in this article. Call it what you want… but that slow, sludgy,…
Kenney Jones talks about Faces Live at the BBC
With all the new releases and reissues of special boxsets, it can be easy to miss one (or two or three.) When Rhino announced the release of Faces Live at the BBC: The Complete Concert & Session Recordings 1970-1973, Modern…
Derek Mixon Tone Chasing with Chris Stapleton
When I interviewed Russ Kunkel last year, I asked him what younger drummers he was checking out and impressed by. He didn’t hesitate, saying, “I think Derek Mixon is one of the best drummers out there, I think we have…
I’m Just Like You!
After the last three years with Modern Drummer, people now seem to be asking me a lot of questions. During my interviews, more drummers are asking me about “me,” and I have NO idea why. I’m just like you, a…
Drums and Sports
Let’s start here. Music is not a sport, and any attempt to make music or drumming into a sporting event where there are winners, losers, best, and worst, is something that I am (basically) against. Healthy competition can be advantageous…
