This month’s column is written by Kevin van den Elzen who hails from the Netherlands and now makes his home in Los Angeles. Kevin received his master’s degree at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California while studying there with me. He often subs for me in town with various big bands and has become known as a foremost big band drumming archivist and analyst. He co-leads a big band with pianist Josh Nelson, and the two of them began hosting an internet interview series several years ago called West Coast Jazz Hour. Kevin and I share a love for “West Coast Jazz,” and the drumming contributions made by Shelly Manne. I recently wrote about some newly discovered tapes of Shelly Manne and his Men in these pages; this month’s article completes the discussion circle, highlighting what I feel to be some of the best Shelly […]

June 2024 Issue