March 2016 Issue – Volume 40 • Number 3

John Legend and Jill Scott’s Rashid Williams

John Legend and Jill Scott’s Rashid Williams Deep in Spirit, Deep in Soul Story by Ken Micallef Photos by Paul La Raia Rashid Williams has always been attracted to powerful people. When he was seven years old and attending church…

CONCEPTS - The Business of Gigging

CONCEPTS The Business of Gigging 6 Rules for Creating the Best Show Possible by Russ Miller This month’s topic, so eloquently summarized by Henry Ford, has been on my mind for a few months. I went to see the Rush…

STRICTLY TECHNIQUE - One-Sided Hairtas, Grandmas, and Grandpas

STRICTLY TECHNIQUE One-Sided Hairtas, Grandmas, and Grandpas 3 Hybrid Rudiments to Expand Your Vocabulary by Bill Bachman This month we’re going to look at three unusual rudiments: one-sided hairtas, grandmas, and grandpas. These three closely related rudiments are especially useful…

JAZZ DRUMMER'S WORKSHOP - Timetable Warm-Up

Modulating Swing Patterns by Steve Fidyk As drummers, we’re often taught the importance of warm-up exercises. These drills are typically designed to help loosen the muscle groups of your wrists, forearms, and fingers. A good warm-up routine develops your reflexes…

Spock’s Beard’s Jimmy Keegan

Fueling the Flame Story by Will Romano Photos by Alex Solca When frontman and main songwriter Neal Morse left Spock’s Beard in 2002, drummer Nick D’Virgilio assumed the lead role, pulling triple duty as singer, drummer, and guitarist for studio…

March 2016 Issue – Volume 40 • Number 3

BASICS - The Tap Nine

BASICS The Tap Nine Embellishing Backbeats With a Modified 9-Stroke Roll by Rich Redmond The traditional nine-stroke roll consists of four alternating double strokes followed by a single stroke. It can be played open (clearly articulated) or closed (buzzed). This…

ROCK ’N’ JAZZ CLINIC - Hidden Rhythms Part 2 Odd Groupings

by Mike Johnston Last month we explored the endless rhythmic and textural ideas hiding inside a measure of 16th notes, including clave and cascara patterns, partido alto phrases, and more.  This time we’re looking for hidden groupings within our measure…

ROCK 'N' JAZZ CLINIC - Hidden Rhythms Part 1 Cookin With 16th

by Mike Johnston The concept of discovering hidden rhythms within common subdivisions reminds me of the first time I removed the back of my boom box when I was about twelve years old. I knew that this simple device must…

PRODUCT CLOSE-UP - Van Kleef - Snare Drums

PRODUCT CLOSE-UP Van Kleef 6x14 Titanium, 7x13 Stainless Steel, and 8x14 Aluminum Snare Drums by Michael Dawson Spawning from one of the metallurgy capitals of the world, these precision-built drums are built to blast. Van Kleef Custom Drums is owned…

Catching Up With The Aquarium Rescue Unit’s Jeff Sipe

Catching Up With... The Aquarium Rescue Unit’s Jeff Sipe by Mike Haid Home is where the art is for this drummer’s drummer.   When Jeff Sipe met underground art-rock icon Col. Bruce Hampton in the clubs of Atlanta in 1984,…

Catching Up With Rod Morgenstein

Catching Up with... Rod Morgenstein by Bob Girouard “The concept of jam band totally applies,” the famed drummer with fusion greats Dixie Dregs says of his latest album with Jazz Is Dead, “meaning go for it, challenge yourself, and don’t…

PRODUCT CLOSE-UP - Sabian - HH Remastered Cymbals

PRODUCT CLOSE-UP Sabian HH Remastered Cymbals by Michael Dawson A few thousand extra hammer strokes later, and the line that launched the brand is better than ever. For the past couple years, Canadian cymbal company Sabian has been revamping its…

PRODUCT CLOSE-UP - Natal - Arcadia Series

PRODUCT CLOSE-UP Natal Arcadia Series by Miguel Monroy A competitive entry-level kit with a full set of hardware. The last time we checked out Natal, we talked about their vision to offer a range of high-level drumsets. Each kit comes…