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February 2019 Issue – Volume 43 • Number 2

Remembering the hugely influential and multifaceted gospel drummer. Joel Smith, one of the most prolific drummers in the gospel music scene, passed away this past September 8 at the age of fifty-eight. Beginning in the mid ’70s, Smith carved out a unique position as the musical centerpiece of gospel royalty with his uncles Edwin and Walter Hawkins, who were among the first gospel artists in a generation to achieve crossover success by selling millions of records and earning multiple Grammy awards and nominations. Smith sat right in the heart of various Hawkins’ projects on drums and, later, bass. In fact, he possessed so much talent on both instruments, he’d often record drums on Hawkins’ sessions and then overdub bass on those same tracks. In addition to projects with the
Hawkins family, Smith became an in-
demand session player and producer, arranging and performing on countless gospel, R&B, and jazz records, movie scores, […]
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Articles in February 2019

Scott Quintana
 with Kacey Musgraves

“Less is more” for the tasteful Nashville touring and session pro, as he accompanies a chart-topping modern country music star around the world.

Story by Willie Rose | Photo by Catherine Powell
Dec 27, 2018

Reggae 101: The Steppers Beat

Exploring One of the Genre’s Essential Grooves

by Tommy Benedetti
Dec 27, 2018

New Recordings from Donald Sturge Anthony McKenzie II, Dan Weiss, and more!

RECORDINGS Taking The Reins Donald Sturge Anthony McKenzie II Silenced One drummer’s unique and bold statement on topical events. On Silenced, accomplished drummer/composer Donald Sturge Anthony McKenzie II and
an impressive cast of collaborators (including Nels Cline) navigate a series of…

Modern Drummer
Dec 27, 2018

Musical Palindromes

A Twisted Rhythmic Challenge

by Aaron Edgar
Dec 27, 2018
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The Modern Drummer Guide to Reading Rhythms - Part 3

Part 3: 8th Notes and 8th-Note Rests

by Miguel Monroy
Dec 27, 2018

Path Orchestration

A Unique Method for Developing Fills

by Jost Nickel
Dec 27, 2018

Bobby Z of the Revolution

No one could ever replace a musician as iconic as Prince. What we still can do, however, is celebrate his life and work with the musicians who helped make him who he was in the first place.

Story by Billy Amendola
Dec 27, 2018

Tama Classic Stand Series

Sturdier versions of vintage-style, lightweight designs for more modern applications. A couple years ago, Tama revived the simple, compact, and lightweight design of cymbal stands from the 1960s with the flat-base Classic model. The company has since fleshed out an…

Story by Michael Dawson
Dec 27, 2018

Interpol's Sam Fogarino

Like few units before or since, New York’s Interpol truly truly embodies the city's sound and spirit.

Story by David Ciauro | Photos by Alex Solca
Dec 27, 2018

Karriem Riggins

Drummer/producer Karriem Riggins is a speeding comet blazing across the hip-hop cosmos.

Story by Ken Micallef | Photos by Alex Solca
Dec 27, 2018

Jack Stratton on Vulfpeck's Hill Climber

The multitalented group infuses nasty feels and refreshing sounds into a modern funk setting. Here their founding drummer sounds off on their latest killing outing. Since forming at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance in 2011,…

Story by Willie Rose
Dec 27, 2018
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Doc Sweeney RX Series Drumset

Doc Sweeney Drums specializes in building top-notch snares and kits out of exotic and domestic woods in solid, single-ply, stave, and now hybrid configurations.

Story by Michael Dawson
Dec 27, 2018

Percussion Kinetics Vector G1 Double Pedal

A strong, smooth option for double-kick players looking to make foot positioning more ergonomic. Percussion Kinetics developed the G1 single pedal several years ago so drummers could sit at the kit with
a more natural outward-turned foot position without having to…

Story by Michael Dawson
Dec 27, 2018

Props to the Drum Shops

When was the last time you visited a music store or drum shop? If you’re like me, you’re probably spending less and less time hanging and talking shop with other local drummers and musicians while picking up a new pair…

Article by Mike Dawson
Dec 27, 2018

10 Reasons to Love Pete Thomas

Whittling down the list of worthy tracks to just the ten covered here was a difficult task.

Story by Patrick Berkery
Dec 27, 2018

Beck's Chris Coleman

MD checked in with pop/R&B drummer Chris Coleman while he was on tour with Beck. “Beck is very meticulous about every sound that comes off that stage,” says Coleman, “but I couldn’t be more different from his drummer of the…

Interview by Dave Previ | Photos by John Shore
Dec 27, 2018

The Vintage Double Bass Monster

The Brooklyn-based drummer and educator David Clive, who plays with the New York groups the Nawlins Funk Band, Carla V,
and John Putnam and Used Blues, assembled this month’s featured vintage Gretsch beauty. Clive, who also teaches at the College of…

Modern Drummer
Dec 27, 2018

Crack The Sky's Joey D'AmicoFebruary 2019

His musical road hasn’t always been smoothly paved—or paved at all.

Story by Will Roman | Photos by Linda Miller
Dec 27, 2018
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Lee "Scratch" Perry's Larry McDonald

Larry McDonald’s conga playing is a thread that runs through more than half a century of Jamaican music.

Story by Robin Tolleson | Photos by Paul La Raia
Dec 27, 2018

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