Source: Drummerszone.com Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Chico Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso. Chico's engagements with Lionel Hampton, Slim & Slam, T-Bone Walker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Barnett, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan and six years with ...

Looks like gospel drumming is everywhere we turn these days. After a wonderful night at the Teddy Campbell clinic at Memphis Drum Shop Tuesday (review coming on this week's show), looks like today that Vater has released several models of gospel sticks. Not sure how these sticks are customized for gospel drumming. The finish looks like the same from the Zildjian Travis Barker signatures, which I recall despising. We'll have to try some out and ...

Vater has recently released a slem of new sticks and accessories for 2008. My fav is the über death-core-metal-thrash accessory, the Skull Slick Nut - for those who need gore and goth to top every last inch of their setup. I'm so HXC I fart darkness!! Man, you'd think they could find a cleaner cymbal for the photo. Anyway, I really like Slick Nuts, but be sure you get one that fits your ...

I talk to a lot of drummers about sticks. It's amazing the differences in players and their preferences. Here's my take. Ive been a fan of Buddy Rich's stick way back before Vic Firth even sold them. Ludwig made a model, 15AL (laminated maple) that were identical to the now VF Buddy Rich Sigs. I use the Rich sigs for heavier work. What I like most about these sticks is the ...

This makes me drool. Taye's unveiling a new finish for their BeBop kits. This classic walnut finish is seriously mouth-watering. Maybe it's because I've been playing and listening to a lot of jazz recently, but my favorite part of this kit besides the finish is the 18"x14" kick drum. Looks marvelous. Bet it sounds great too! Always been impressed with how Taye's kits sound. They do great work. Source: Harmony-Central.com Taye Drums' introduction of their new BeBop ...

The folks over at All About Jazz have posted up a good mix of three Erskine clips. Source: All About Jazz The first clip shows Erskine playing a more-or-less free form drum solo. It was recorded in 2004 at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). The second video, down below, features the drummer in a trio with guitarist John Abercrombie and bassist Marc Johnson, recorded at NYC's Village Vanguard. Lastly, the third clip provides a glimpse ...

As mentioned on last week's show, The Blue Note Seven, featuring drummer Lewis Nash, is on tour right now commemorating 70 years of the record label's groundbreaking history. They swung through Memphis this past weekend, but I don't think any of the cast was able to make it to the show. However, my teacher was planning on going, so I'll see what I can find out from him and relay the report on this week's ...

Good to see that Louie Bellson is on the mend. This guy is a big reason we study jazz today. He really did a lot for drumming, jazz music, and musicianship in general. Here's to many more years! Source: ModernDrummer.com The great Louie Bellson was recently hospitalized a few months back while recovering from a hip-breaking fall. However, he has been enormously encouraged and thankful by the greeting cards and well wishes. Mr. Bellson has now transferred to ...

Source: All About Jazz All About Jazz: Let's start with what everybody wants to know. How did you get the nickname "Tain"? Jeff "Tain" Watts: Oh, Lord [laughing]. [Pianist] Kenny Kirkland gave me the name. I was playing with Wynton around 1983 and we were driving from West Palm Beach to Miami and Kenny passed a gas station called Chieftain Gas with a symbol of an Indian with a headdress and he said, "Chief Tain, you're going ...

9:51 Waiting for the clinic to start. Ed just came out and swapped his ride with a huge Connie. There are quite a few people in the ballroom. 10:01 No start yet. I think Ed left the room. The place is packed now. 10:03 Intro guy. Talking about some if Ed's famous students. 10:04 Ed plus band take the stage. Ed does thank yous. It's a piano, bass, drums trio. NT guys. Stephan Carlson (pno) ...