
Chester Thompson

You’ve seen the ad: an enormous double-bass outfit with eight deep-shell tom-toms, and behind the mighty set, the affable, but powerful, Chester Thompson.

Photo by Lissa Wales At 37, L.A.-based Alex Acuna could honestly call himself—if he weren’t so self effacing—one of the world’s most versatile drummer/percussionists. Though most people know his mid-Seventies work with the globe-hopping Weather Report, many are unaware of the depth of his Latin chops (schooled in Peru …
In this Issue: Joey Baron, Philip Rhodes, Paul Leim, Eddie Bayers, Tommy Wells, Jerry Kroon, Kenny Malone, Owen Hale, Lonnie Wilson, Milton Sledge, Alan Dawson, Gary Seligson, Richard Hilms, Louie Bellson, Charlie Benante, Peter Yanowitz, Jody Stephens, Terry Bozzio, John Molo, Chester Thompson

Sly Dunbar, Steve Schaeffer, Chico Hamilton, Ian Wallace, Gene Krupa, Kenny Clare, Kenny Clarke, Chester Thompson, Bill Bruford, Neil Peart

Peter Erskine, Chester Thompson, Jim Gordon, Tony Williams, Dennis Elliot, Vic Mastrianni, Tommy Aldridge, Andy Newmark, Butch Miles, Chet McCracken, Ralph Cooper, Sue Hadjopoulos, Tris Imboden, Gene Dunlap, Mike Baird, Ed Tuduri, Bill Ward, Michael Botts, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jim Keltner, Emedin Rivera, Roland Vasquez, Don Murray, Mat Marucci, Don Moye, …
Posted: June 15, 2017

On the Beat with Jake Goss of LANY: Knowing Your Role and Serving the Song
Hello, Jake here. Thank you for letting me share on this platform—I’m deeply honored. Modern Drummer has been in my life since I was eleven years old and I’m forever grateful for the stories and insights I’ve learned from this magazine. I love Modern Drummer!
Posted: April 26, 2017
Dr. Dog drummer Eric Slick branches out on solo debut, Palisades
This past April 21, Eric Slick, the drummer for the ’60s-influenced indie-rock band Dr. Dog, released his debut solo album, Palisades.
Posted: April 20, 2017
Stephen Morris Named 2017 Yamaha Young Performing Artist
Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis, in conjunction with the Band and Orchestral division of Yamaha Corporation of America, has announced the winners of the 2017 Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) Competition, which include jazz drummer, composer, and educator Stephen Morris of Aliso Viejo, Ohio. The YYPA program has honored promising eighteen- …
Posted: March 28, 2017
On the Beat with UK Session Drummer Steve Barney: Talks Tours, Shows, and Recordings
Hi Modern Drummer readers! My name is Steve Barney and I’m a UK-based session drummer who is fortunate to hit drums and people applaud! My first inspiration for playing drums came when my dad took me to see a Genesis concert in 1980—I was completely blown away by Phil Collins …
Posted: November 2, 2015
Dom Famularo’s Teachers List
Over the course of his forty-year career traveling the globe to teach, perform, and conduct clinics, Dom Famularo has interacted with some of the finest drummers and drum instructors in the world. The following list contains many of those names, organized by country/continent. If you’re looking for top-notch drum instruction, …
Posted: April 27, 2015
Drummer Blog: Martin Levac on Channelling Phil Collins
My passion for the music of Genesis and Phil Collins took root in my teenage years. I was so passionate about Phil’s drumming that I changed my drums from right-handed to left-handed to better understand the subtleties of his style….
Posted: September 3, 2014
East Coast Drum Jam Set for September 21st
The East Coast Drum Jam will take place on Sunday, September 21, 2014 at the DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom at US Hwy 1 South in Princeton, New Jersey….
Posted: July 17, 2013
KoSA 18th International Percussion Workshop, Drum Camp, and Festival
The KoSA International Percussion Workshop Camp and Festival will take place July 23–28 at Castleton State College, nestled in the mountains of Vermont near the resort destination of Killington….
Posted: December 19, 2012
LAMA College For Music Professionals Hosts Drum Recording Workshop
LAMA College for Music Professionals has announced details for its upcoming drum recording workshop on February 2, 2013.
Posted: November 7, 2012
Memphis Drum Shop to Host 25th Annual Vendor Day Expo
On November 10, 2012, Memphis Drum Shop will host their 25th Annual Vendor Day Expo, the biggest sale of the year, both in store and online….
Posted: August 30, 2012
Jayson Brinkworth
Hey there, Modern Drummer readers, Jayson Brinkworth here again from Canada. Things have been crazy busy up here with Aaron Pritchett and One More Girl gigs, as well as many sessions….
Posted: January 20, 2012
25 Great Double-Drumming Tracks
Two drummers working it out, face to face—trading licks, contributing to a massive groove, spurring each other on—it’s one of the great musical traditions, and surely it goes back to the very invention of the drumkit at the beginning of the last century. This group of tunes focuses on tracks …
Posted: February 5, 2010
Jason “Malletman” Taylor Blog
My name is Jason “Malletman??? Taylor. I’m a vibraphonist and protégé of the late, legendary Lionel Hampton…
Posted: February 5, 2010

Jason "Malletman" Taylor Blog
My name is Jason “Malletman??? Taylor. I’m a vibraphonist and protégé of the late, legendary Lionel Hampton…
Posted: November 24, 2009
On Tour And On Stage: 9 Lives (+9, +9 More)
On Tour And On Stage: 9 Lives (+9, +9 More). MD’s editors just can’t keep a list of their favorite albums short–even in service of a can’t-resist pun. Twenty-seven live albums you gotta have.
Posted: October 20, 2008
Simon Collins
As the son of drumming and pop icon Phil Collins, Simon Collins grew up with music in his genes…
Posted: June 19, 2008
Ed Toth on Tour with The Doobie Brothers
Hello, everyone, Ed Toth here, with the inside scoop on The Doobie Brothers' tour with Chicago. It's very exciting in that, for the encore, both bands will be on stage together playing each other's songs….
Posted: May 12, 2004
Dennis Chambers: Santana Now: A Force Of Nature
A rhythmic force of nature since its inception in San Francisco’s Mission District in 1966, the Santana band has always set the bar high. And now, with superstar drummer Dennis Chambers joining percussionists Raul Rekow and Karl Perazzo, the bar (and the expectation) is even higher.
Posted: May 12, 2004
Raul Rekow
A rhythmic force of nature since its inception in San Francisco’s Mission District in 1966, the Santana band has always set the bar high. And now, with superstar drummer Dennis Chambers joining percussionists Raul Rekow and Karl Perazzo, the bar (and the expectation) is even higher.
Posted: May 12, 2004
Karl Perazzo, Dennis Chambers and Raul Rekow with Santana
A rhythmic force of nature since its inception in San Francisco’s Mission District in 1966, the Santana band has always set the bar high. And now, with superstar drummer Dennis Chambers joining percussionists Raul Rekow and Karl Perazzo, the bar (and the expectation) is even higher….