“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 moreTranscription of Jimmy Cobb's performance with Miles on Ah-Leu-Cha
With the passing of Jimmy Cobb this past month it is important to remember not only his most popular performance on Kind Of Blue, which defined “Cool Jazz”, but also his innovation and contributions in straight ahead be bop.
Read moreLast Flight Home - Todd Sucherman's Debut Solo Album
The album is not a flurry of prog rock drum tracks as one might expect but passionate and varied pieces composed by Todd and his creative partner, J.K. Harrison, with Todd on lead vocals. There are 10 great tunes, carefully sculpted and crafted to tease our emotions and draw us in. This phenomenal debut album is available on CDs, high-definition audio (.WAV), and signed and numbered 180-gram vinyl LP’s
Read moreInstant Download Drum Books from Hudson Music
Popular drum books are available as instant downloads from Hudson Music.
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 moreSolid Drum Company Snare Drum
Almost everybody in the drumming world knows the name, Johnny Craviotto, but not everyone knows the name Solid Drum Company.
Read moreInfluential Alex Van Halen
I also consider Alex to be somewhat of a teacher as he had the ability to lay down straight ahead rock along with the occasional shuffle and a song using brushes. My teacher was a great swing brush player but somehow hearing my idol play brushes (Big Bad Bill from Diver Down) made it seem all that much cooler.
Read moreStudy of Vintage Ludwig Date Stamps to Determine Frequency of Days of the Week
A fortunate byproduct of gathering information from vintage drums to create serial number-based dating guides is the large database of information about individual vintage drums which results is a great resource for other inquiries. This study looks at vintage Ludwig drums from the time when they possessed both date stamps and serial numbers to learn about production by day of the week.
Read moreCelebrity set - Madelaine Manney's '55 Gretsch Broadkaster Cocktail Drum Set
Miss Madeleine Manney was a very unique and strong woman, especially when you consider the time period in which she led her own band - quite extraordinary. I wish I had had the opportunity to not only meet and talk with her, but to witness one of her many live performances as she toured extensively in the Tri-State PA., N.J. and N.Y. area over many years. She was a celebrity in that region. I imagine she was an exceptional lady. I will keep her memory alive with the drum.
Read more1929 SLINGERLAND 6.5 x 14 ROSE PEARL/ARTGOLD TONE FLANGE ARTIST MODEL
Rob Cook’s Rebeats Color Book states that Rose Pearl was only around in 1929. 4 x 14 Tone Flange Artist Models are extremely rare. I know of only 3. I’d love to see photos of any others that may be out there.
Read more90 year old Beuscher Electro Jazz Kit found in Watford UK
Came across this beauty – a fully working example of the Beuscher Electro Jazz Kit.
Read moreSung and Unsung Heroes - Ian Thomas
This month’s unsung hero is Ian Thomas, a session drummer from London, UK. He has played with Paul McCartney, Sting, Eric Clapton, Elton John and many more. Without a doubt, Ian is one of the UK’s most sought after and respected session drummers.
Read moreWhat Weaker Side?
Hmmm ... there seems to be some sort of problem with this thing called the weaker side. While I agree with the general concept that our non-dominant side is often less adept than our natural side, there are other factors to consider in this issue outside of equality.
Read moreVintage 1929-30 Leedy Drum Set and Traps with detailed Explanations: The Frank Gomes Memorial Drum Set
In this video. Bob takes us on a tour of what instruments a pro drummer in the 1930s would be using and how they would be played. WARNING, Bob’s voice is very low and the drums are very loud, so keep your hand on the volume knob and play sound man.
Read moreNick D’Virgilio to Release New Solo Album Invisible Featuring Members of Dream Theater, King Crimson, Supertramp, Cheap Trick, The Flower Kings & Others!
With the recording process split between the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London (including full string and brass sections) and the world class Sweetwater Studios in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Invisible boasts star turns from luminaries such as guitarists Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) and Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), bassists Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) and Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, Steve Hackett), plus keyboard players Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and Jem Godfrey (Frost*).
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs' Early Drum Set Video Series, Episode 3: "Cowbells"
“If you were really fancy, you had four cowbells!”
Read moreGuide to Vintage Drum Identification - Ludwig Lugs 1923 - 1965
The Imperial lug was also used on bass drums and tom toms in the late 1930’s. Single as well as double ended lugs were offered. A backing plate was usually installed between the lug and the shell. Bass drums were equipped with either standard length lugs or extra long versions.
Read moreDrum History Podcast - Episode 3 - Made in Japan: The History of Stencil Drums with Marc Patch
"Stencil drums" were Japanese copies of major drum manufacturers like Slingerland and Rogers that were created in the 50's to the 80's. They feature some of the most unique finishes that you can find and have become a unique category of affordable collectors drums. They have a somewhat mysterious history, but fortunately Marc Patch has written a book documenting the history of MIJ (Made In Japan) drums and took the time to talk with me.
Read moreThe Most Celebrated Drum In History?
The Gladstone name ranks right up there with all the drum innovators in history, Ludwig, Leedy, Way, Strauss, etc, but he also has the distinction of being a world class snare drummer. Even the not so humble Buddy Rich claimed he was the best.
Read more1926 Ludwig All-Metal Separate Tension Drum
I acquired this drum a year ago as just a shell with one lug, throw and butt plate attached. It was riddled with countless dents and headed to the trash, luckily I was in the right place at the right time to rescue i
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