When jazz drumming giant Elvin Jones passed away in 2004, his wife Keiko was left with the daunting task of handling his vast estate. Elvin had two apartments in New York City. He and Keiko lived in one; and the other was strictly for his drums.
Read moreLiberty DeVitto - November Drum Clinic at Rocky's Music
On November 17, 2024 – Legendary drummer Liberty DeVitto presented a sold-out clinic at Rocky’s Music Studio in Rensselaer, NY. Liberty performed an over two-hour clinic covering numerous aspects of his studio and live performance career.
Read moreThe First Ludwig & Ludwig 1912 Catalog – by Jim Catalano
The front page of the catalog used a new technique with a cutout to show the new Ludwig metal shell snare drum in a framed setting that was actually printed on the 2nd page and shown through to the front cover.
Read moreJack Sperling - “Elegance on the Throne”
Although not as publicly well known as Gene or Buddy or Shelly or Louie, Jack was a treasure. He had steady work his entire career, he always had money, he behaved himself, and he came to play. As you may expect, Jack spent time teaching and coaching and encouraging.
Read more1926-27 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 5 x 15 STIPELGOLD SUPER-LUDWIG MODEL
I got this drum a while back. The drum came to me is this condition so no cleaning/restoration was necessary. I don’t see as many 15” Stipelgold snares vs 14” Stipelgold snares. I wonder if this is true with other collectors.
Read moreMystery Drum
Sun, Dec 15, 3:13 PM
Hi, I was just wondering if you could give me any clue on identifying the era (late 1800's) and/or brand of this drum?
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
I am also finished with my book I’ve been writing for at least a year – “ The Missing Rudiments – Expanding the American rudiment system with missing and long forgotten fundamental snare drum rudiments, plus the new drum set unison rudiments”.
Read more1921-22 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 4 x 14 6 LUG SCROLL PATTERN DeLUXE MODEL
I call it a “Monday Morning at the Office” drum because the scroll pattern is in every panel but there is no “Ludwig Chicago” engraving that would normally be just left of the strainer.
Read moreLiving With Hearing Damage
Since I decided to come out about my hearing issues, a lot of people have asked me for some insight. It seems I’m not the only one who has paid a price for playing too loud, too long and too often.
Read moreNRBQ's John Perrin – A Force To Be Reckoned With
Chicago based drummer, John Perrin assumed the NRBQ drum chair full-time in 2015. He had to memorize over 500 songs since the band never uses a set list.
Read moreA Rare 1950s Leedy & Ludwig Broadcaster Snare Drum
This snare drum is a rare 1950s Leedy & Ludwig White Marine Pearl 5” x14”, Broadway model with a solid 1-ply maple shell.
Read moreWoolworth's Audition Drums
Woolworth’s did sell drums for many years, but unlike the other big department stores, they were not a catalog company by which we could document what and when they sold drums. So all we have are the drums themselves to tell the story.
Read moreFound! Elvin Jones's 75th Birthday Snare
This is the long lost twin of a personal pair of these custom made snares for Elvins 75th birthday celebration and were never available to the public. At 5” x 10” it is little piece of dynamite.
Read moreEdward Tucker’s Catalog Corner- WWII Leedy Dreadnaught
In today’s corner I present to you one of the rarest catalogs from one of the most difficult eras to find any drum catalog from, early 1940s World War II.
Read moreEpisode #5 Video; 5 Minute Lessons with George Lawrence
The Samba Train beat. video episode #5 in “5 minute lessons with George Lawrence”
Read moreRoy Haynes, Pioneering Jazz Drummer and Versatile Band Leader, Dies at 99
Haynes’ remarkable career spanned much of the history of jazz, from the swing era through bebop, avant-garde, modal jazz, fusion, and beyond. His contributions to jazz were profound, playing with some of the genre’s most iconic figures, including Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sarah Vaughan, Chick Corea, and Pat Metheny, to name just a few
Read moreEpisode #3 Video; 5 minute lessons with George Lawrence - Garibaldi Sevens
Episode #3 of 5 minute lessons with George Lawrence. This is a linear groove that Steve Klink taught me when I was teaching at Fork’s Drum Closet in the nineties; The Garibaldi Seven.
Read moreWFL Porto-Pak Snare Drum History
The Porto-Pak is a very special snare drum. Punchy and articulate, this 5.5 x 13 1948 – 52 WFL Classic Porto-Pak snare drum is difficult to find these days. This drum was born out of the need for gigging musicians, be bop and club players to get their drums into the taxi cabs and onto smaller band stands and still hit the spot.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
I’ve started a video series in conjunction with Memphis Drum Shop; “Five Minute Lessons with George Lawrence”. Each video is a five minute or so lesson on how to play a groove, a fill, a rudiment, a pattern, etc. The concept came from drummers asking me “How did you play that”, referring to some short lick I played, and how I showed it to them.
Read moreEnding on an Upbeat
Another sticking challenge from that rascal sage, Joel Rothman
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