Alphonse Mouzon Dies at 68
Jazz and fusion drummer Alphonse Mouzon died on Sunday in Los Angeles. Read more
jazz
Philly Legend Reflects on Coltrane, Others
95-year-old drummer Charlie Rice has played with John Coltrane, Louis Jordan, and Chet Baker – and he may have just played his last gig. Read more
Jo Jones excerpt from 1973 TV documentary, “Born To Swing”
“Born to Swing” is an 1973 out-of-print TV documentary that follows the musicians of the Count Basie Orchestra
Duke Pearson’s “Little Drummer Boy” with Mickey Roker on drums is the definitive version you need to hear
This was released on Pearson’s 1969 Merry Ole Soul album on Blue Note records.
Book Review: “Sittin’ In with the Big Band” Vol I
Sittin’ In with the Big Band is a music minus one type of series of big band arrangements written in a variety of styles ranging from swing to Latin, and from funk to rock. With killer tracks, fun arrangements, and a few challenging charts, it’s a great addition to your shelf!
Drummer Talk 209 – Spotlight on Bruce Becker
I recently sat down with educator and session drummer, Bruce Becker, where we chatted about his time with the legendary Freddie Gruber, what it’s like to perform with a sibling for 30 years, how he goes about teaching high profile drummers, and all about his DVD – “Concepts and Philosophies: A Comprehensive Approach for the Development of Drum Technique.” Read more
The jazz records that inspire Steve Smith
The true masters never stop being a student of their craft and never stop looking for inspiration. Sometimes, that inspiration comes from artists younger than yourself! We can all agree that Steve Smith is a true guru of the drums, but what jazz albums featuring younger drummers (younger than Steve, that is) inspire him?
MD’s Jazz Drummer’s Workshop: Approaching Standards, Part 1
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or simply in your middle school jazz band, at some point you have to tackle jazz standards, and it’s always helpful to brush up (ba-dum-tss) on learning these tunes. Check out Part 1 of Modern Drummer’s “Approaching Standards” workshop.
Pearl bop kit from NAMM 2013
1999 Mapex called, they want their bop kit back. What’s old is new again, I guess!