The biggest public misperception of Buddy Rich over the years has come from the infamous Bus Tapes; recordings of Rich cussing out his band that the internet has allowed to fester. Yeah, that happened, but that was only .001% of what Buddy was and did. Imagine there being a recording or video of your worst behavior moment that never goes away. Is that all there is to you? No. This book fills in the other 99.99% with first hand accounts of his humor, generosity, struggles and humanity.
Read moreMax Roach and His Legacy - Honorary Events at U Mass
On October 23 & 24, 2019 - Legendary jazz drummer Max Roach will be honored in a series of symposiums and events at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. Roach who passed away in 2007, was a faculty member at UMass from 1972 to 2004. Professor Roach joined the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies, and was one of the founders of the Jazz in July Program along with Billy Taylor and Frederick Tillis.
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 moreMusician's Flea Market, Salamanca NY October 13, 2019
I realize this flea market is open to more than just percussion but usually quite a number of drum people show up for the show. I myself will be a 'drum' vendor there. -Emory Grodek
19th annual Hollywood Drum Show 2019 - October 12
October 12, 2019
Read moreChurch Find: 1970s Ludwig Smoky Vistalite "Big Beat" Set w Black Beauty
The drums are Big Beat sizes 22" bass, 12" and 13" mounted toms, and a 16" floor tom. The snare was another story. I could tell it was a 1970s Black Beauty. Ludwig re-introduced the Black beauty snare in the late 1970s. They made Supraphonics both 5" and 6.5" and Super Sensitives 5" and 6.5". I don't know how many of each one they made. I'm sure that information is available. If you have one, they are great snares to own and very collectible. The snare was missing parts and the heads were taped up and cloth applied to kill any snare drum sound the poor drum tried to make. I could tell this drum was a diamond in the ruff.
1960s Slingerland Artist model snare drum
In 1963 the Slingerland Drum Company introduced a new snare drum to their drum line. This snare was cataloged and advertised as the new Modern Artist model. Previously, Slingerland used the Artist model name on their earlier snare drum line from 1928 to approximately 1935. Some of these first models were hand engraved and very ornate. They were made with ten tube lugs and both solid wood and brass shells.
Read moreQuestion about a Wilson Brothers snare
I happened upon this 3x13 Wilson Bros steel(?) snare at a free sale. I searched it and the first hit was an NSMD post . Perfect.
The calfskin batter head could be original. The calfskin res head is trash. There’s a snare adjuster but no throw off. The wires are probably functional. There’s probably missing floating lugs but I don't know how many there should be. Except for some dust this is how I got it.
You’ve always been a good source of info. What’s your take on this thing?
NSMD is my favorite email. I read it cover to cover.
Thanks in advance for any any info you can pass my way.
Life's Little Drumming Lessons
I love hearing drummers’ “origin stories”. We all have one; that story that we tell over and over again about the first time we played a drum, or watched someone else play a drum or a drum set that inspired us and gave us the “drum fever”. This is mine.
Read moreNPR Highlights Jazz, Coltrane, and Gretsch Great Elvin Jones
On this past September 10th, National Public Radio’s Morning Edition program ran an intriguing feature titled: Not All “Lost” Jazz Albums Are Created Equal. It focused on several albums, either recently or about to be released, that contain previously unreleased material by iconic jazz artists like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Stan Getz. One of those albums was Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album, which featured material from 1963 recording sessions and reference tapes, and was released in 2018. Another is Blue World, set to be released on Impulse! Records on September 27. It features Coltrane recordings from 1964.
Read moreWhat's this worth? Leedy & Ludwig vintage kit
and more information about a Leedy and Ludwig drum set that I have. I have a few pictures I can forward to you that might help. It has a beautiful hand painted windmill scene painted on the bass drum. I believe it is from the 1930s belonging to my grandfather, I have a picture of him sitting at it. Very special.
Read moreJ F Martin 1838 Field Drum?
Anyone have any info on this field drum?
Read morePercussion-Creative Looking for vintage drum photos for "genesis" of drums poster
We are writing to you because we are currently working on a poster about the genesis of drums and drumming and are looking for photos that we may officially use on this poster, which we wanna release December 2019.
Read moreInspiration From The Stars
I picked up a copy of the Sabian publication “Create: 2017 Cymbals & Sounds”. It’s a 40-page full color magazine provided free by Sabian and distributed through music equipment outlets. It’s really just a catalog of their various products, but it delivers quite a bit more. The book is filled with information about cymbals: how they’re made, how they’re used, how designs came about, what different features mean. There’s lots of cymbal lore and history too. If someone wanted to quickly learn about cymbals, this edition would be a great place to start.
Read more1926-27 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 4 x 14 “STIPELSILVER” (uncatalogued) DANCE MODEL
The drum in this article has a “Stipelsilver” finish, same texture as Stipelgold but with a bright silver hue. I believe that this drum is a one-off/special order for a few reasons that I will explain
Read moreParUmPaPumPum Charity and Museum is now a registered charity →
Parumpumpumpum Charity and Museum has filed with the State of Tennessee and the IRS to be a 501 C3 registered charity which means we will now be able to give receipts for tax-deductible donations. The other big news is that the drum Museum is looking for a building in Memphis. The donations of instruments is increasing and outgrowing the NSMD office.
Read more1952 WFL Porto-Pak Outfit No. 986P in Sparkling Red Pearl
So here is one I hope you all can dig and my latest addition to the collection:
An immaculate 1952 WFL Porto-Pak Outfit No. 986P in Sparkling Red Pearl with era correct additional floor tom ordered with set. This was an estate sale treasure find!
Life's Little Drumming Lessons
Life's Little Drumming Lessons: Some random thoughts that are slowly coagulating into a book I hope to publish one day.
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 moreSome Of My Favorite Drummers Are Invisible
Some of the very best drummers are virtually unheard of. When it comes to the needs of music, visibility -- or, rather, audibility -- is often not high on the list. There are high profile drummers we admire who have the ability to disappear as well as get noticed. Vinnie Colaiuta is a great example.
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