September 2017 Issue – Volume 41 • Number 9
Articles in September 2017
Favorite Steve Smith Track?
Since the mid-’70s, Steve Smith’s drumming has enhanced a wide range of albums within the rock, jazz, and fusion genres. Classic hits, jazz-fusion escapades, and even Indian-influenced pursuits adorn the drummer’s discography with artists such as Journey, Jean-Luc Ponty, and…
Barry “Frosty” Smith Passes, D’Addario Awards Six Grants, Roland Announces New Partnership and More
Barry “Frosty” Smith Passes Barry “Frosty” Smith died this past April 12. The drummer, known by many for his work with the popular soul-rock organist and singer Lee Michaels, worked in multiple genres since the late 1960s, and his devotees…
Samba Drumming - Applications and Attitude
The Brazilian samba rhythm is one of the most popular feels in the world. It’s an infectious groove that’s especially popular among dancers, but also among musicians in the jazz field and beyond. The samba bass drum and hi-hat-foot ostinato…
Your Voice
Each month, as we prepare content for the current issue of Modern Drummer, we post a drumming-related question at our online outlets, sort through responses from MD readers and social media followers, and print some of the answers in our…
Drums From Above
A photographer focuses on a way to shoot pro drummers that is certain to appeal to the Erector Set kid in all of us.
Eddie Fisher
Bands get cut loose from record labels all the time, but finding a new home is much easier when a group’s drummer thinks and plays like a record producer. The members of OneRepublic can vouch for that. Eddie Fisher was…
Doc Sweeney - Serengeti Stave-Shell Drumset
A dual-species stave-shell kit with dark overtones, depth, and power.
Tesla’s Troy Luccketta
“Back in 1987, when I first signed with Tama, I wasn’t all that familiar with their drums,” says Troy Luccketta, who this year celebrates thirty years of touring with the veteran hard-rock band Tesla. “What Tama has done over the…
New releases by Adam Deitch, Man Forever, and Nate Smith
RECORDINGS Taking the Reins Man Forever Play What They Want With his latest drum project, Oneida’s John Colpitts, aka Kid Millions, trashes musical labels while thrashing his kit. Aided by contributions from the percussion ensemble Tigue and avant-garde icon Laurie…
New Gear from Tama, AHEAD, OCDP, TRX, 101 Drums and more!
Tama Starclassic Bubinga Exotix Tigerwood Drumkits Starclassic Bubinga drumsets are now available with exotic wood finishes, Crimson Tigerwood Fade and Midnight Tigerwood Fade. The shells are made slightly thicker than those in the Starclassic Maple series to provide an aggressive…
Skid Row’s Rob Hammersmith
As drummers, the idea of leaving home for a gig with just a few small items can be stressful. For most of us, the choices we make regarding gear are well-thought-out decisions based on research, experimentation, and experience. The idea…
Willie Jones III on Gerald Cannon’s Combinations
A jazz drummer and producer burns on a longstanding musical partner’s sophomore effort as a leader.