Not So Modern Drummer celebrates the life and music of Legendary Drummer Tony Williams in our new ongoing series. Chapter Six presents the personal commentary and recollections of Billy Drummond, Professor of Jazz Drums at The Juilliard School of Music, and New York University.
Back in the day when my friend brought Miles Davis' recording of Four & More to my house - I was turned upside down, and inside out! Tony’s playing on that album put me on a new course… Discovering an entire world of how to play the drums. Those initial discoveries are still unfolding right up to this very second.
I fell in love with everything about his playing. His ideas, sound, clarity, touch and feel. The way his drums were tuned - The sound of his cymbals, and how he played them. Emotionally, technically, conceptually and spiritually, he got me! Tony also led me to numerous other drummers because of this ‘Sonic Awakening’ - Many of them having a profound effect on me as well. In my opinion, his feel changed drumming and the way we play the drums three or four times as well as contributing to changing music a few times, which is quite remarkable considering his relatively short lifetime. I find it interesting that many people gravitate towards a certain ‘period’ of Tony’s evolution. Not unlike they do with many artists who evolve. For myself, ALL of it was one huge evolved contribution. I find Tony Williams to be an artist that was here to deliver a message… And what a powerful message it was.
Here's a personal account of one of my encounters with him. I was on my first trip to Japan at The Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival. Some of the greatest drummers, and musicians from around the world were there. This Included, Clifford Barbaro, Art Blakey, Cindy Blackman Santana, Roy Haynes, Victor Lewis, Lewis Nash, Ralph Peterson, Kenny Washington, and of course Tony Williams.
I was in ‘HEAVEN’ - I hadn't even been in New York City for a year, and here I was on tour with all these incredible people! I had my old 22” inch K- Zildjian cymbal with me. - I bought it back in the 1970's because of Tony! It was his cymbal of choice, his sound. - ‘Everything’.
A zillion other drummers had one, and still do. My K ride is really great I must say… So I asked Tony if he would sign it for me while I told him what a huge influence he was. It was the reason I got the cymbal.
He said, not right now - maybe later – Which was fine with me. We were there for almost a week and every time I saw Tony, it seemed like it was not a good time to bother him. Then one day while walking through the lobby of the hotel, I see Tony sitting alone smoking a big cigar playing a computerized chess game… (This was pre - laptop or cell phone). I thought to myself - now is definitely not the time because he was deep into his thing!
As I walked by trying to not be noticed, he said, “Hey Billy, where's the cymbal?” I was shocked and a bit startled. I replied, it was in my room and that I could get it quickly, which I did. I brought it to him with marker in hand and he tapped on it. Tony then told me his ‘Four & More’ cymbal was cracked, but safely stored away in his vault.
Tony then asked me if I wanted to know how he got that cymbal - Of course I said yes, absolutely. He told me that Max Roach had taken him to the Gretsch Factory in Brooklyn to pick out a set of drums and cymbals… That's how he started with K- Zildjians.
I was floating on cloud nine… It’s something I will never forget.
Of course, I still have that cymbal – It’s one of my prized possessions. I’ve used it on numerous recordings and gigs - but not so much anymore.
I have other newer cymbals that I love as well. So now, my old K Zildjian rarely leaves the house.
I could go on and on about him…Tony Williams was a ‘Giant’ in drumming and music. Thank you for asking me to write about him… It's been an honor, and a pleasure.
https://www.billydrummonddrums.com
https://www.facebook.com/billydrummonddrums/
The Tony Williams Tribute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBGRGti7_WE
Billy Drummond has taught some of the current generation’s finest young drummers. “One of the things I love about education is having that one student who really gets it - seeing yourself in them.
I also learn so much about myself from teaching others, not just from a musician’s standpoint - but who I am as a person.”