Billy had been a major influence in the local drumming community since first studying with Joe Morello’s teacher, Joseph D. Sefcik.

Keith was a student of several teachers who taught at my George’s Drum Shop in Jackson Mississippi in the mid 80s; me, Quinous Johnson, Bud Berthold and he also was taught by my first drum teacher, Herman “Sonny” Hill. My opinion is this is one of the best solos he has ever played. Watch it, then go practice or lock your drums up in the closet! :-)

But it was the rolls Tony did on his toms that really did it for me.

Legendary drummer Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie presented a sold-out clinic at Rocky’s Music Studio in Rensselaer, NY

Drummer Rich Thompson recently announced his retirement from his 30 year career at Eastman School of Music. Rich has been in demand as a top call drummer in Rochester for the past 25 years.

Between 1969 and 1971 my teacher Ed Shaughnessy introduced me to the music of drummer Tony Williams.

“I’m tired of drumming, I was thinking about becoming a ship’s captain but I’m not stern enough.”

When jazz drumming giant Elvin Jones passed away in 2004, his wife Keiko was left with the daunting task of handling his vast estate. Elvin had two apartments in New York City. He and Keiko lived in one; and the other was strictly for his drums.

On November 17, 2024 – Legendary drummer Liberty DeVitto presented a sold-out clinic at Rocky’s Music Studio in Rensselaer, NY.  Liberty performed an over two-hour clinic covering numerous aspects of his studio and live performance career.

Although not as publicly well known as Gene or Buddy or Shelly or Louie, Jack was a treasure. He had steady work his entire career, he always had money, he behaved himself, and he came to play. As you may expect, Jack spent time teaching and coaching and encouraging.

Chicago based drummer, John Perrin assumed the NRBQ drum chair full-time in 2015. He had to memorize over 500 songs since the band never uses a set list.

Haynes’ remarkable career spanned much of the history of jazz, from the swing era through bebop, avant-garde, modal jazz, fusion, and beyond. His contributions to jazz were profound, playing with some of the genre’s most iconic figures, including Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sarah Vaughan, Chick Corea, and Pat Metheny, to name just a few

On August 23, 2024, James Gadson released a solo EP, Dance On Through [High Rise Sound]. The five-song, self-penned release finds the eternally youthful 85-year-old badass going deep with crisp funk beats and a buoyant and soulful voice.

Tony influenced me with the open flams, his loose high-hat rhythms, and the amazing sound of his snare drum and tom toms.

I just remember looking at this melody part and I noticed a bar of 22 notes over four beats followed by 23 notes over four beats. These notes were also jumping large intervals. Frank asked Ed” ‘Is this playable?’ Ed just looked at him and said, sure, I’ll shed it tonight and play it for you tomorrow, which he did.

Tony said "Okay ... here's a good one. I was asked by a journalist, "Mr. Williams, you have played with three iconic musicians of our time — MIles Davis, John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix — what quality do they have in common? And I answered, "They were not afraid to fail."

I’m featuring a great album by a bassist this month, Tom Kennedy, not just because he is a great bassist and a musician, but also because one of my favorite drummers, Dave Weckl, is playing on the album. Weckl

Billy Arnold’s new book is about being over the age of 70 and how to keep the spirit and enthusiasm that one had as a child. Also reminding us of when we were teenagers and thinking – “Wow! I’m going to do this. I’m going to do that.” In your 40’s you might ask – “Am I there yet?” Things change over time and we might again wonder – “Am I there yet?”

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of the great John Barbata. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans. Rock in peace, Johny”                                                     – Jefferson Starship

Bob Moses is one of my favorite drummers. My friend, Nashville drummer Clifford Koufman, is currently making this film and is raising funds via Indie GoGo.

Drummers! You must hear this music. Besides Shrieve’s incredible drumming, the sound of his drums is SOOOO good and big on this recording. The ambience and depth of the soundscape is hypnotic, entrancing. Captivating heavy grooves that defy categorization. You will want to listen to this masterpiece on a very high end stereo system or studio quality headphones.

Jon Wysocki played on Staind’s first seven albums, which included the hits - ‘It’s Been Awhile’, ‘Outside’, ‘So Far Away’, ‘Right Here’, ‘Believe’, ‘Fade’, ‘For You’, and ‘Not Again’, among their numerous Platinum and Gold records. In total, Staind has released eight studio albums, three live albums, one compilation album, two video albums, 25 singles, and 18 music videos. In 2001, their third studio LP, “Break the Cycle,” debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Jon departed Staind in 2011 after their self-titled seventh album.

But at the peak of his fame, at just 34 years of age, his life was cut short by the chronic spinal tuberculosis that had left him four feet tall with a hump on his back.”

Hello drummers:

Many of you knew Bob Gatzen and Creative Music, a great drum shop in Wethersfield, CT, back in the old days, so wanted to pass on notice of his memorial service.

Trevor Davis