Chapter 19 in our ongoing series of conversations, quotes, commentary, and updates with drumming legend Mike Clark. Mike’s keen observations provide numerous insights into “all things music”. Mike tells it like it is… The good, the bad, and everything else in between:
I was with drum great Ralph Humphries and we were saying how the early Tony Williams stuff before the yellow set was the most modern stuff we had ever heard, and is still modern today! Got off the phone with another drum great Danny Spencer, and he said the same thing!
So what if somebody plays the instrument you play better than you...who gives a S#+T? That means nothing to me. This isn’t the gym...It’s the music you play, or the way you swing - or whatever. I don’t give a damn how well you read, or how fast you are – that’s BS...WTF - for me in Jazz anyway. I want to hear an adult conversation otherwise I don’t want to pay to hear somebody get off...
Working on a Headhunters recording the first time in a very long time and looking forward to it. Its like going back home to see the family after being away a long time and there are some new family members.
Damn, gotta’ couple of really good students...The lesson is - I will charge them and steal their licks. If you are interested in me stealing your licks… Hit me up for a few lessons.