When I was fourteen years old, I played drums on my first recording led by my brother Barry Miles that included Pat Martino, John Abercrombie, Lew Tabackin, Victor Gaskin and Warren Smith. The music Barry had written was different than anything I had heard until that point, so there was no choice but for me to figure out what and how to play something that would be the right fit, in my own voice. Knowing that Tony Williams had done that being so young, it inspired me to try and make that happen for myself.
Read moreJazz Legend Jimmy Cobb, Drummer For Miles Davis, Passes Away At 91
“One of the most influential drummers of all time has passed. Jimmy Cobb, I have listened to you on ‘Kind Of Blue’ so many times when my head needed calming down and straightening out and uplifting”.
– George Lawrence
Read moreMike Clark: Remembering Tony Williams
Not So Modern Drummer celebrates the life and music of Legendary Drummer Tony Williams in our new ongoing series. Chapter Two features Mike Clark’s personal recollections and commentary.
Read moreTodd Sucherman - Remembering Tony Williams - Chapter 1
But, Tony… Hearing him in that room. He would always start out with a solo piece and it felt like it was fight or flight— the hair would rise up on your arms. Primal. Scary. Loud. Resonant. Uniquely him, so much of his authentic self in every note… The coolest and the deepest 24” inch bass drum with three floor toms in THAT room. The softest whisper to the loudest roar… Grooving, swinging with explosive punctuations. The sound is seared into my memory for the rest of my life.
Read morePaul Wertico: The Sound Painter
In the international press, Paul has been called “an inspired madman,” and “a restless innovator.” The same could be said of painter Jackson Pollock. There is a direct rhythmic connection between what Paul composes on the drums and what Pollock visually composed on canvas. Each deliberately using an organized rhythmic pattern while communicating their inconsistencies, anomalies and imperfections. Both speaking different languages of which only they can understand and interpret. Critics may never be able to fully describe the true motivations and complete originality of Paul Wertico and Jackson Pollock since both were creating in the moment.
Read moreGordy Knudtson - The Pompatus of Drums
I had the opportunity once again to spend a couple of hours with Gordy before a recent show. He broke down the Open/Close technique showing how it has evolved over the years.
Read moreBilly Arnold - Young At Heart by David Barsalou
Seventy year old drummer Billy Arnold is presently touring the world with The Young @ Heart Chorus. Those who have seen the award winning Twentieth Century Fox documentary soon realize that age is a state of mind. This amazing group performs a wide range of eclectic rock and soul. All members of the chorus range in age from 73 to 95. To see them perform is a revelation. They truly are, young in heart, mind, and spirit.
Read moreReview - 2019 Chicago Drum Show
Now celebrating its 29th year, the Chicago Drum Show is the world’s largest and longest running drumming event in the world. It features over 30,000 square feet of new and used custom drums and cymbals of all makes and models.
From above the arena, it appeared to be a football field covered in all things percussion.
Read moreTim Smith - The POCO Years
Tim never had to audition for Poco… Rusty Young hired him on Rich Neville’s recommendation, and it changed everything. “I’ll forever be grateful…and stepping into George Grantham’s shoes to replace him was an honor in itself.”
Read moreReview of the 2019 Connecticut Vintage and Custom Drum Show
On Sunday, April 22, 2018, Rick Smith presented another memorable vintage and custom drum show at The Sphinx Shriners Center in Newington, Connecticut. Featured clinicians this year were long-time Journey drummer, Steve Smith, and Paul Francis - Director of Research & Design /Quality at the Avedis Zildjian Company. Both Paul and Steve entertained large audiences, giving them some truly inspirational performances. Also in attendance were several well-known drummers including – Gary Asher - Joe Corsello – Arti Dixson - Daniel Glass – Andrew Klein - Dave Mattacks – Adam Nussbaum and Bobby T Torello.
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 21
Another new chapter in our ongoing series of quotes, conversations, commentary, and updates with jazz 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:
Read moreYou Don't Know Jack: Chapter 4
As a young man, Jack Scarangella became a lifelong New York Yankees fan - Soon becoming a permanent fixture at Yankee Stadium. Most of the players and management already knew Jack by name. Ironically, much earlier at the age of nine, a kind police officer let him sneak in to see Buddy Rich in concert. It wasn’t very long before Yankees owner George Steinbrenner gave Jack permission to attend all of their home games for free. On numerous occasions, he found himself in the owner’s box, dugout, or seated next to the legendary Yankee broadcasters Phil Rizzuto, and Bill White. Jack has said that it was Mr. Steinbrenner who changed his life by allowing him full access to Yankee Stadium as his personal guest.
Read moreJoe Corsello - Timing is Everything
When given the opportunity to spend a few hours with Joe Corsello in his Stamford, Connecticut studio, I immediately jumped at the chance. Being in close proximity to one of the world’s most renowned jazz drummers was definitely a rare ‘WOW!!’ moment.
Read moreHal Blaine to be honored at Holyoke Community College
Legendary drummer Hal Blaine, who recently turned 90, will be celebrated in his hometown of Holyoke, Massachusetts at Holyoke Community College’s Leslie Phillips Theater on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
Read moreElton John, Nigel Olsson - The Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour
Drummer Nigel Olsson has been playing and recording with Elton John since 1970. He has performed in concert with Elton over 2,500 times. Nigel, the consummate showman, is always smiling. On stage, he is impeccably dressed with a shirt, tie and, trademark white gloves. Joining with Ray Cooper and John Mahon, they were a complete rhythmic force unlike any other. With a long and impressive resume… Nigel has played with The Spencer Davis Group, Uriah Heep, and as a first-call studio drummer. His credentials also include time with Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, and Kiki Dee.
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 20
Chapter 20 in our ongoing series of conversations, quotes, commentary, and updates with jazz 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:
Read moreTerry Bozzio: Here And Now
I had already recognized Terry Bozzio as a ground - breaking musician, having seen him previously on three different occasions…In the 1970’s with Frank Zappa, the early 1980’s with Missing Persons, and at one of his drum clinics a few years later. Having no idea what to expect that night…It was a shock to the system to say the least. This one-man performance by Terry Bozzio was completely different than anything I had ever seen or heard before…Terry with his huge kit - and nothing else… Demonstrating a complete and total mastery of the instrument throughout the show. The audience loved it all, applauding loudly after every one of Terry’s original compositions.
Read moreBen Dixon, noted jazz drummer, dies.
Dixon was one of the great organ jazz specialists. He was born in Gaffney, South Carolina and grew up in Washington D.C. and Buffalo, NY. Early in his career, Dixon played with Buck Hill, Shirley Horn and Webster Young. During Dixon’s three-year stint with the popular r&b singer Lloyd Price, Dixon met John Patton, whom he persuaded to take up the Hammond. Introduced by Lou Donaldson to Blue Note’s Alfred Lion, Dixon and Patton (plus guitarist Grant Green) went on to form a prolific tandem on many of the label’s now-classic soul jazz albums of the early and mid-sixties. He
Read moreMatt Kelly: Dropkick Murphys' Driving Force
On August 25th 2018, The Dropkick Murphys rocked out the brand new MGM Grand Casino in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. The outdoor weekend performance was a benefit concert for the Thomas J. Sullivan Foundation. Gunnery Sergeant Sullivan was killed on July 16, 2015 in a domestic terror attack while stationed at the Naval Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Springfield native Sullivan was attempting to save his fellow Marines when he was fatally shot during the assault.
Read moreKen Harck: Sweet Home Chicago
Ken Harck plays and endorses Chicago Drum instruments
In 1976 he moved to Los Angeles, California to play with bassist Glen Cornick of Jethro Tull…Later replaced by Foreigner’s Bruce Trien. He played with legendary session piano player Nicky Hopkins who had worked with the Rolling’s Stones, The Who, The Beatles and Jeff Beck. Ken also performed with ‘Badfinger’ - 1977 -1978, and Off-Broadway from 1978 to 1984. The original members of Off Broadway have since re-grouped, and are still playing to this day. Ken also enjoys sharing stories from his LA studio days, and his brushes with fame – Including: Tom Petty, Cher, Gregg Allman, and Keith Richards.
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