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.
Read moreRemembering Tony Williams - Jeff Indyke
Tony influenced me with the open flams, his loose high-hat rhythms, and the amazing sound of his snare drum and tom toms.
Read moreRemembering Ed Mann, percussionist for Frank Zappa
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.
Read morePeter Erskine: Remembering Tony Williams
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."
Read moreAlbum Review - New Start by bassist Tom Kennedy w Dave Weckl on drums
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
Read moreLes Demerle's Dance and Jazz Party Cruise - Nov. 10-17, 2024
Hi George,
Here is the promo video for our Les DeMerle Band Jazz Cruise. Please consider joining us and thanks in advance for any exposure you can give to our event. Man, It would be so cool to have a NSMD group out on the high seas with us. Les
Billy Arnold's New Book - Keeping the Groove After 70+
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?”
Read moreRemembering John Barbata
“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
Read moreLiving Music; A Film about Ra Kalam Bob Moses - Indie GoGo Fund Raiser
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.
Read moreSantana Drum Legend Michael Shrieve Releases New Album “Drums of Compassion”
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.
Read moreDrummer Jon Wysocki founding member of the rock band Staind has died at 53
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.
Read moreWilliam Henry “Chick” Webb: The Beat That Changed America by Ulysses Owens Jr.
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.”
Read moreRemembering Joe Montineri
Joseph Paul Montineri, March 23, 1951 – April 24, 2024
If the modern era of boutique drum making has a father, it’s Joe Montineri. -Phil Hood in DRUM! magazine
Bob Gatzen Memorial
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
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
Read moreFotos N Funnies
“See you in the funny papers”
Read moreFarris Coursey, Nashville’s First “A” Team Drummer
I am ashamed to admit it, but even as an amateur history buff, I wasn’t familiar with Farris. That all changed a few years ago with the purchase of an early 1960’s Rogers drum set that Farris owned and played. I will attempt to tell his story now as best as I can.
Read moreTim Griffin: The Futurist – Part 2, The Inventions
“Bill III and his Dad had been working with my company for nine months on my design of the FIRST digital drum set in the world (not analog). Selmer squelched the deal (Not Bill senior or III). The unit was to have Ludwig endorsee recordings as parts of the set settings.”
Read moreRemembering Bob Gatzen
World renowned drummer, percussionist, and inventor Bob Gatzen passed away on December 29, 2023 following a nine year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Read moreDino Danelli – The Renaissance Man - Chapter 2 - Additional Album Cover Designs and Concepts
Dino joined long-time friend Steven Van Zandt’s group – ‘The Disciples Of Soul’. Dino designed Steven’s first four albums between 1982, and 1989. He also recorded and toured with the group during that same time period.
Read moreDino Danelli – The Renaissance Man Chapter One / Rascals Album Cover Designs
Apparently, being one of the greatest Rock drummers of all time just wasn’t enough for Dino Danelli. Beginning in 1965, Dino began to experiment with painting and drawing. Soon afterwards, his incredible talents led to the creation of numerous album cover designs for the Rascals, Fotomaker, and Little Steven Van Zandt.
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