I was asked the other day who I liked out of the new modern type drummers. For me, Lenny White and Billy Hart are totally "modern" as they are master improvisers that don't sound like anyone but themselves. I never know what they are going to play.
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne: Chapter 12
Peter Magadini - "You know, I used to hear Shelly play a fair amount in LA. He had a great ride feel (and sound) and a very unique way of playing the ride (different) say from Max Roach and Philly Joe Jones. He had the same style and motion as those guys (my heroes as well) but he had the fingers involved and when it got blistering fast it was only the fingers involved. That part I kept for myself too because it works great and you can keep very fast tempos going for a long time."
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Part 11
Here’s one for ya’ - Did Elvin Jones play behind the beat? I have talked to a few of the bass players who were on the gig for a long time and it was interesting to hear what they had to say...What do you think?
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne: Chapter 11
Give a drummer a fish, and you feed them for a day. Give them a ride cymbal, teach them how to play it, and they’ll feed themselves for the rest of their lives.
Claire Arenius at Amherst College
Claire was on fire that night… Playing with an impassioned determination that reached the farthest rows, and beyond. Her finesse and sensitivity showed through on every tune. Whether using sticks or brushes, playing fast or slow - stylistically, it didn’t matter…
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Reflections on Shelly Manne: Chapter 10
A ride beat moves itself ever forward, like a bicycle rolling along. And this part of the phrase, like the circle compared to the line, is where both the "hardest" and "easiest" parts lie. When played with fluidity it is rolling; a beautiful study of motion, grace and power. When played stiffly, it's like a mechanical device. Boring. Metallic. Uninteresting.
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne - chapter 9
Being able to lay out the time and seemingly doing nothing is indeed an example of what Mr. Manne speaks of in it being the easiest and most difficult at the same time. - Sergio Bellotti
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Part 10
" I love jazz drummers… Can't think of one I don't like. Some of them hold their sticks weird, and don't care about the latest drumming fads. They love the tradition, and the language. They just...Swing! "
Read moreSean Fuller - Life Lessons
Sean, for all his successes is a humble, soft-spoken gentleman who knows the importance of family and friends. Sean embraces the down time between tours, spending it with his wife and daughter. He said, “there is more to life than just playing the drums”.
Read moreBuddy Rich: The Beat Goes On - chapter 2
Gregg Potter and Buddy’s daughter Cathy Rich are on a mission to expose Buddy's music to younger audiences, and to preserve the 'Big Band' art form for future generations. Here is a compilation of what they have done so far this year to keep Buddy's music and memory alive.
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne - Chapter 8
Steve Maxwell: "Shelly is correct of course. The actual notated rhythm of the ride beat is absolutely simple. However, the trick is how the drummer interprets that rhythm."
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom, Part 9
Many musicians… Myself included - would not have a career today if not for the genius and innovation of Tony Williams. Many who don't know who he is have careers because of Tony, and not just drummers. His musical voice was like a war cry to those of us who were young when he hit the scene. It spoke to us on every level, social, political and cultural.
He changed music and drumming forever in several different genres. Always seeking, and pushing the envelope… Always challenging everything.
Reflections on Shelly Manne - Ch. 7
Not So Modern Drummer columnist David Barsalou asked internationally recognized drummers – Hal Blaine, Aaron Kennedy, Shawn Meehan, Bobby T Torello, and Jay Wood to share their ideas and opinions on the following quote attributed to Shelly Manne.
Shelly Manne said...
"The ride beat is the easiest and the most difficult thing a drummer will ever play".
Reflections On Shelly Manne - chapter six
Shelly Manne (1920-1984) - Historically important jazz drummer most associated with the ‘West Coast Jazz’ style. Shelly was so versatile that he also played on hundreds of Hollywood movie, and television soundtracks. While Shelly’s extensive discography is amazing. The list of musicians he has played, or recorded with is literally mind-boggling.
Read moreReflections on Shelly Manne: Chapter 5
Not So Modern Drummer columnist David Barsalou asked internationally recognized drummers – Billy Drummond, Larry Finn, Tim Griffin, Rod Morgenstein, Alphonse Mouzon, and Lewy Stix
to share their ideas and opinions on the following quote attributed to Shelly Manne.
Shelly Manne said...
"The ride beat is the easiest and the most difficult thing a drummer will ever play".
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Mike Clark: Words of Wisdom part8
Once you’ve mastered a lot of the technical wizardry that your heroes have played, you only have a small piece of the puzzle...That’s the easy part.
When you age, and hear the phrasing they played when they were twenty years younger makes you realize where the real work is!
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne: chapter 4
NSMD's David Barsalou asked internationally recognized drummers Claire Arenius, Marko Djordjevic, and Dave DiCenso to share their ideas and opinions on the following quote attributed to Shelly Manne: "the ride beat is the easiest and the most difficult thing a drummer will ever play".
Read moreReflections on Shelly Manne: Chapter 3
“Anyone can learn to play a jazz ride cymbal beat. The problem is making it swing. Shelly Manne's mentor was Davey Tough and to go back to listen to the early recordings of Woody Herman's ‘First Herd’ with Davey Tough playing drums, says it all. It's all about swing”.
Read moreReflections on Shelly Manne, Part 2
NSMD’s David Barsalou asked internationally recognized drummers Bill Goodwin, Gordy Knudtson, Gregg Potter, John JR Robinson, Terry Silverlight, Todd Sucherman, and Paul Wertico to share their ideas and opinions on the following quote attributed to Shelly Manne.
Shelly Manne said...
"The ride beat is the easiest and the most difficult thing a drummer will ever play".
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Part 7
Best Drummer In The World? Who can orchestrate and swing like Elvin Jones? – Nobody. Who changed everything for everybody and came up with a new way of looking at things like Tony Williams? –Nobody.
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