February 2019 Issue – Volume 43 • Number 2
Articles in February 2019
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,…
Crack The Sky's Joey D'AmicoFebruary 2019
His musical road hasn’t always been smoothly paved—or paved at all.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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.
Amedia Jazz Legend and Vision Series Cymbals
Amedia is one of a handful of cymbal companies in Istanbul, Turkey, that employ centuries-old manufacturing methods done primarily by hand.
In Memoriam: Joel Smith
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…
What’s Your Favorite Tony Williams Album?
In this month’s Jazz Drummer’s Workshop, the Brooklyn-based drummer and educator Mike Alfieri demonstrates ways to develop unique ride patterns inspired by the jazz great Tony Williams. To coincide with the piece, we asked our readers and social media followers…
Denny Seiwell
His new, Grammy-nominated album represents a major return to his roots as a jazz artist. “That’s why we call it Boomerang,” says the drummer, whose first rock ’n’ roll recording was Paul McCartney’s hit 1971 album, Ram. “A boomerang comes…
10 Reasons to Love Pete Thomas
Whittling down the list of worthy tracks to just the ten covered here was a difficult task.
The Modern Drummer Guide to Reading Rhythms - Part 3
Part 3: 8th Notes and 8th-Note Rests
Karriem Riggins
Drummer/producer Karriem Riggins is a speeding comet blazing across the hip-hop cosmos.
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…
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…