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Drummers

Great Drum Educator, Chuck Silverman, Sadly Died

I am deeply saddened to hear about the sudden loss on May the 1st of Chuck Silverman, a great drummer and drum teacher notable for his amazing knowledge and love for Afro-Caribbean music (or Latin as we lesser mortals would call it) and expertise about the drummers of James Brown. I didn’t know Chuck, although I had been trying to arrange a Skype lesson with him (West Coast USA and London are temporally mismatched for this sort of thing) but… Read More »Great Drum Educator, Chuck Silverman, Sadly Died

Clyde Stubblefield and John Jabo Starks, the Funkmasters Interview

Here is a great interview, produced by Meinl, with the incredibly funky and hugely influential duo – Stubblefield and Starks, the most famous of James Brown’s drummers. Clyde and Jabo talk about how they got started, how they came to play with JB and share stories about their life as touring musicians and some of the hazards of being in the music business. Very entertaining and highly recommended.

Ronald Shannon Jackson

Sad news to hear of Ronald Shannon Jackson’s recent demise. Although he was well known for his avant garde jazz playing, I am familiar mostly with his work with James “Blood” Ulmer. Jackson’s drumming is very gritty to my ears, and he plays with a wonderful touch. Here is a great clip – Jazz is the Teacher.

Ginger Baker Doesn’t Need To Suck Up To The Press

This interview with Ginge is brilliant, he’s got no time for a bunch of silly questions from a music journalist. Quoth Frank Zappa, “Most rock journalism is people who can’t write, interviewing people who can’t talk, for people who can’t read.” In lieu of a more substantial and long overdue post, read it here.

Lesson with Ralph Salmins

I saw Ralph Salmins at a clinic put on by my old teacher, Phil Solomon, in Brighton a few years back. Ralph’s playing and approach were presented in a fun and informative way and his professionalism and practical attitude towards his work as one of the UK’s leading session drummers was inspiring. I asked Ralph for a lesson but due to complicated schedules, we couldn’t find a suitable date. My next meeting with Ralph was at this year’s Ultimate Drum… Read More »Lesson with Ralph Salmins

That Steve Gadd Bloke is Pretty Good

Been trawling YouTube for recordings of songs I need to learn for a new project wot I’m working on and happened upon this version of Billy Strayhorn’s Take The A-Train. I’ve seen the late Michel Petrucciani a couple of times in the past but not with this particular combo. Steve Gadd is just wonderful here, his light touch a marvel to behold. Drummers, you don’t need gear or seven-way coordination. You just need a thimblefull of this good stuff. Listen… Read More »That Steve Gadd Bloke is Pretty Good

A Bit of Black Sabbath

Frank at JPF Amplification (London Amp Repairs and Custom Amp Builders) sent me a link to this fantastic live set from Black Sabbath circa 1970. Bill Ward is an amazing drummer who isn’t mentioned as often as some other legendary 70’s rock drummers but he’s a real original. Heavy metal was just loud funk back then. Yeah. If you don’t have time to watch the whole thing, check out this splendid clip showing the drum tech setting Bill’s kit up… Read More »A Bit of Black Sabbath

Ultimate Drum Experience 2013

I had the privilege of attending this year’s Ultimate Drum Experience, a week-long course for advanced drummers put on by the very shiny Mike Dolbear. The resident teachers this year were manic beat preacher, Billy Ward, lightning limbed Morpheus, Thomas Lang and slave to the halftime shuffle, Ash Soan. Guest sessions were given by session great, Ralph Salmins, 80’s funkmeister, Phil Gould, groovy session bassist, Winston Blissett and drum tuning guru, Jeff Davenport. There was also a business related discussion… Read More »Ultimate Drum Experience 2013

Ultimate Drummers’ Experience

Hey ho, I am off to Barnet tomorrow to participate in the Ultimate Drum Experience, an intensive course put on by Mike Dolbear. There will be lessons with Billy Ward, Ash Soan and Thomas Lang as well as guest sessions with Ralph Salmins, Jeff Davenport and Phil Gould. There are events open to the public too, Monday is drum jam night, Tuesday is a clinic with Thomas Lang and Thursday is a clinic with Billy Ward and Ash Soan. I’m… Read More »Ultimate Drummers’ Experience

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