Brushes are the playing implement in the drummer’s array of equipment which can, if handled properly, produce a wide range of sounds, moods and textures. Brushes are normally thought of for soft playing on ballads, and in trios playing small clubs where the music serves as background to cocktails and dinner conversation. It is, however, possible to create enough intensity to make a small group sound big. By “big,” I don’t mean just large or loud in sound, but big in depth and musical content. Brushes can be used as well with big bands. Papa Jo Jones used brushes as well as sticks to drive, swing and inspire the Count Basie band on many of their hard-swinging arrangements. Buddy Rich uses brushes with his band. My father, Ben Thigpen, and Sid Catlett, Max Roach, Shelly Manne, Kenny Clarke, Gene Krupa, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes and most of […]

October 1982 Issue