
Ralph Peterson

Ralph Peterson Jr.—who came to prominence in the 1980s as one of jazz’s swinging, improv-driven “Young Lions”—succumbed to cancer on March 1. He was just 58 years old. Peterson’s commitment to bebop—as well as being an avid student of the history of drumming—earned him a long-time spot as the second …

In addition to his own projects, Peterson performed and/or recorded with the greatest talent in jazz, including Branford Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Craig Harris, David Murray, Ron Carter, Terence Blanchard, Charles Lloyd, Stanley Turrentine, the Count Basie Orchestra, Steve Coleman, Stanley Cowell, and Betty Carter.

Taylor Hawkins, Milford Graves, Jimmy DeGrasso, Elaine Leighton, Jerome Dillon, Alan White, David Garibaldi, Steven Gillis, Ralph Peterson, Brian “Brain” Mantia, Nathaniel Townsley, Peter Erskine, Manu Katche, Milt Jackson, Bill Stewart

In this Issue: Kenny Arnoff, Ralph Peterson, Adam Nussbaum, Victor Lewis, Marvin Smith, Smitty, Lewis Nash, Billy Drummond, Kenny Washington, Jeff Watts, John Hernandez, Vatos

In this Issue: David Garibaldi, Fred Coury, Ralph Peterson, William Calhoun, Larrie Londin, Tony Williams, Joe Morello, Ed Shaughnessy, Anton Fig, Alex Acuna, Jonathan Mover
Posted: October 27, 2016
Video Lesson! Advanced Overlapping Phrases with Aaron Edgar
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the December 2016 issue, which is available here. Rock Perspectives Advanced Overlapping Phrases Superimposing Groupings by Aaron Edgar I’ve always been inspired by phrasing that seems to dance its way around the pulse. Bands such as Meshuggah apply this …
Posted: October 27, 2016
Video Lesson! Groove Construction, Part 8: Three-Note Variations with Jost Nickel
In this lesson we’ll use a three-note grouping to create highly effective groove variations. We’re going to incorporate the following hand and foot pattern into our phrases.
Posted: October 27, 2016
December 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Ralph Peterson
See what’s in the December 2016 issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Ralph Peterson
Posted: December 16, 2015
Fifteen DVDs Every Drummer Should Own
In this installment of our 2015 holiday gift guide, we’re taking a look at fifteen DVDs that every drummer should own. These are the videos that drummers are going back to time and time again for inspiration and edification. Whether you’re looking for new creative ideas behind the kit, technical …
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: February 21, 2015
News: Tenth-Anniversary Meinl Drum Festival Lineup Announced!
The tenth-anniversary Meinl Drum Festival will take place June 27, 2015, in Gutenstetten, Germany, and will feature a lineup of world-renowned drummers….
Posted: December 3, 2013
VIDEO! The 45-Minute Practice Routine: Get Organized to Optimize Your Time Behind the Kit (January 2014 Issue)
Click here to check out a video supplement to Mike Johnston’s Concepts article, “The 45-Minute Practice Routine,??? which appears in the January 2014 issue.
Posted: July 17, 2013
Al Foster Quartet to Headline Northampton Jazz Festival
The Northampton Jazz Festival has announced that the Al Foster Quartet, featuring Eric Alexander on saxophone, will headline a star-studded lineup for its third annual event. The free festival will occur on Saturday, September 7, from 11am to 9pm, in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts….
Posted: August 15, 2012
Nate Smith
As a member of Dave Holland’s big band, quintet, and octet, Nate Smith holds, well, three of the most cherished gigs in jazz. Holland, a revered bass player who started his own musical quest with Miles Davis in the ’60s, has nurtured many a drummer in his high-octane ensembles, and …
Posted: November 22, 2011
November Web Update News
Drumming news for the month of November complied in one place.
Posted: October 28, 2016
Episode 65: Ralph Peterson, Zildjian Avedis Series, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike share two more of their favorite drum tracks before diving into the topic of practicing and knowing when to move on. Next they crack open the December 2016 issue of Modern Drummer and discuss jazz great Ralph Peterson, who’s featured on the cover. Up …