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.

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May 2025 – Volume 49 • Number 05

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Modern Drummer
May 1, 2025

Jack Lawless' Jonas Brothers Touring Kit

Drums: Gretsch USA Custom – 9×13 rack concert tom (not pictured), 8×13 rack, 16×16 floor, 16×18 Gong drum (floor tom with no bottom head), 16×24 kick. Snares: Noble & Cooley Custom 6.5×14, Ludwig Black Beauty 6.5×14. Heads (top): Remo – Clear Pinstripe (Rack,…

Photos by Jason Mehler
Mar 1, 2025

VIENNA TO HOLLYWOOD

Album projects come in different sizes and shapes. Some albums are, literally, “straight ahead” and function like a snapshot capturing a moment in time, and since jazz is a music of the moment (or, in the moment), the essence of…

By Peter Erskine
Mar 1, 2025

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…

Modern Drummer
Feb 1, 2025

Drumming and Love, Love and Drumming

This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Daniel Wagoner of Browns Summit, North Carolina. Daniel commissioned Varus Drums to build this unique kit for his wife as a 50th Birthday Gift. They had originally met because Daniel…

Modern Drummer
Feb 1, 2025
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Brush Playing, Not Air Conditioning Part 2

“And the seasons, they go round and roundAnd the painted ponies go up and downWe’re captive on the carousel of timeWe can’t return, we can only lookBehind, from where we cameAnd go round and round and round, in the circle…

By Peter Erskine
Feb 1, 2025

DW COLLECTOR'S PURE CHERRY EXPANSION PACK, NEW SHURE SMART MICROPHONE

DW Collector’s Pure Cherry Shell Expansion Pack Now Available DW Soundworks™ has added the DW Collector’s Series® Pure Cherry Shell expansion pack to its growing range of drum samples. Cherry is a very musical wood that produces brighter attack, melodic clarity, and slightly darker…

Modern Drummer
Feb 1, 2025

Ludwig Universal Model Snare Drums—Six Sweet Cherry Plies

Let’s take a Modern Drummer Product Close-Up look at the newest version of an iconic classic snare drum from yesteryear. But first, let’s take a quick look back in time. The Ludwig “Universal” Model Snare Drums were first introduced in…

By Brian Hill
Feb 1, 2025

Earthworks Audio DK6 Drum Mic Kit

Earthworks audio has earned its reputation for producing high-precision pro-grade mics and equipment. I have seen their products in-use on several major tours while filming rundowns for Modern Drummer. In July of 2024, Earthworks unveiled the DK6 Drum Mic Kit.…

By Jason Mehler
Feb 1, 2025

KickPort 2- Bass Drum Enhancer

Although the KickPort by KickPort International has been on the market for years, I thought it would be worthwhile to take a fresh look at its latest version, especially since Modern Drummer hasn’t previously reviewed it. For this Product Close-Up,…

By Jason Mehler
Feb 1, 2025

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…

By Mark Griffith
Feb 1, 2025

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…

By Mark Griffith
Feb 1, 2025
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The Versatile Virtuoso: Joe Dyson’s Journey Through Jazz

Joe Dyson is a name that resonates deeply within the jazz community, even if he doesn’t have one particular band to call home. Instead, Joe has built his reputation playing with a veritable who’s who of jazz greats, moving seamlessly…

By Herman Jackson
Feb 1, 2025

Boston's "Foreplay/Long Time" drummer Sib Hashian

Written in 1969 by Tom Scholz, “Foreplay/Long Time” was the first song recorded by Boston. Initially recorded with the band’s original drummer, Jim Masdea, the studio insisted on replacing him, leading Tom to recruit Sib Hashian. For the recording, Sib was tasked…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Feb 1, 2025
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