Papa Jo Jones

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Papa Jo Jones

The Father of Modern Jazz Drumming Papa Jo Jones was the epitome of swing, from his very early days with the Count Basie band in the ’30s until he passed away in 1985. His style, grace, and incredibly musical approach…

Modern Drummer
Jun 3, 2020

Papa Jo Jones

"I don't waste time," Papa Jo says, the words snapping upside my head like a malevolent rimshot, the eyes bugging out and his voice becoming as hard and sharp as flint. "Time is too precious. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…

by Chip Stern
May 14, 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: SUBSCRIBE TO…

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

Papa Jo Jones: The Bridge

Simply put, jazz drumming eras could arguably be viewed as pre-Papa and post- Papa. Such was the immeasurable contribution of Jo Jones, whose elegant touch, feel, and sound marked a connecting bridge to our modern sense of jazz swing.  …

by Jeff Potter
Oct 24, 2017

Papa Jo Jones Drum Fill - Incorporating a Classic Jazz Lick

In this lesson we’ll explore a versatile and great-sounding fill from jazz legend Papa Jo Jones. The basic pattern is notated in Exercise 1. Pay close attention to the sticking—it’s essential to start and end the fill with your lead…

John Xepoleas
Feb 23, 2017
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December 2001 - Volume 25 • Number 12

Wuv, Joe Morello, Tim Alexander, Scott F. Crago, Steve Jocz, Cyrus Bolooki, Bun E. Carlos, Philip Peeples, Bobby Caldwell, Brain St. Clair, Rikki Rockett, Buddy Rich, Art Blakey, Papa Jo Jones, Pat Wilson, Bill Stewart, Danny Gottlieb, Mike Bordin TO…

Modern Drummer
Dec 1, 2001

January 2001 - Volume 25 • Number 1

Tré Cool, Wuv, Nicko McBrain, Dave Krusen, Phil Ehart, Trey Gray, Steve Gadd, Joe Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Peter Erskine, Neil Peart, Mel Lewis, Roy Burns, Mark Parsons, Rick Van Horn, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich, John Bonham, Tito Puente, Alan Dawson,…

Modern Drummer
Jan 1, 2001

October 1997 - Volume 21 • Number 10

Chad Sexton, Don Lombardi, Herb Brochstein, Roy Burns, Vic Firth, Ron Spagnardi, Virgil Donati, John Tempesta, Charlie Benante, Steve Gadd, Giovanni Hidalgo, Bill Stewart, Tony Royster Jr. , Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Paul Wertico, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Ferrone, Papa Jo…

Modern Drummer
Oct 1, 1997

January 1986 - Volume 10 • Number 1

Louie Bellson, Alan Dawson, Sly Dunbar, Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, Danny Gottlieb, Omar Hakim, Larrie Londin, Neil Peart, Buddy Rich, Andy Newmark, Jimmy Bralower, Jules Moss, Bill Bruford, Gil Moore, Carl Palmer, John Bonham, Karen Carpenter, Nick Ceroli, Papa Jo…

Modern Drummer
Jan 1, 1986

December 1985 - Volume 9 • Number 12

Tony Thompson, Nicko McBrain, Paul Wertico, Peter Erskine, Odie Payne Jr., Casey Jones, Morris Jennings, Jimmy Tillman, Kevan McKenzie, Philly Joe Jones, Papa Jo Jones, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mel Lewis, Steve Smith TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…

Modern Drummer
Dec 1, 1985

January 1984 - Volume 8 • Number 1

Papa Jo Jones, Slim Jim Phantom, Lee Crystal, Rod Morgenstein, Jackie Santos, Larry Mullen Jr., Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford, Rayford Griffin, Paul Jamieson, Peter Erskine, Neil Peart TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

Modern Drummer
Jan 1, 1984
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