Roy Eldridge

Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.

Advertisement

Kenny "Klook" Clarke

Kenny Clarke emerged from the swing bands of the '30s, but was actually the first important drummer of the bop era. Born in Pittsburgh in 1914, Clarke began his career with Roy Eldridge and around the Midwest with the Jeter-Pillars…

Modern Drummer
Jun 11, 2010

J.C. Heard: One Of The Busiest, Swingin’-est Drummers Of Classic Jazz

J.C. Heard was born in Detroit in 1917, and started out as a tap dancer. He taught himself drums at age eleven, and two years later he was working with local bands. Heard’s break into the big time came in…

Modern Drummer
Feb 24, 2010

William "Cozy" Cole: The Father Of Coordinated Independence

Cozy Cole, an incredibly adept player, was strongly rooted in the rudimental style, but he contributed much to jazz drumming. One of the first players to develop his own brand of hand and foot coordination, he mastered the technique thoroughly,…

Modern Drummer
Dec 29, 2009
Advertisement