There are a couple of opportunities to hear me play this weekend, for those of you in Portland: Friday, April 15th – 8-11pm – Benson Hotel With Brazilian pianist Weber Iago, and saxophonist David Valdez. […]
Month: April 2011
What Monk was trying to do
I’ll be on light posting for a few days while I complete my taxes, and get charts together for an upcoming recording session (Ornette Coleman tunes; with my great Seattle guys Rich Cole and Paul […]
The Ultimate
Here’s The Ultimate Elvin Jones, one of the first Elvin records I ever got. I think it was out of print at the time, and I was really lucky to find an LP copy (a […]
Getting started transcribing
There have been a whole raft of people asking for transcriptions over on the Drummerworld.com forum, so I thought this would be a good time for me to write up my long-intended little tutorial on […]
Todd’s methods: 11-note pattern – part 1
This is part one of something I’ve written up strictly for my own practice, but others may be able to use it as a guide for developing and exploring their own ideas. Or maybe someone […]
Sabian AA’s are amazing
I just received my 22″ Sabian AA Raw Ride (purchased blind on Ebay) in the mail the other day, and continue to be really impressed by the quality of the AA’s- these beautifully refined-sounding cymbals […]
16th note fills using Syncopation – part 2
Here’s part 2 of my method for practicing 16th note fills using Syncopation. The goal is to practice reading interpretively, and also to give you a framework for working on the timing of your fills […]
This / Not This – episode 5 – free jazz vs. basement metal
I have to apologize again for the light posting- I’m working on some unrelated projects that need my attention. I do have a couple of big pieces you’re going to enjoy coming soon, though! In […]
John Bishop w/Hal Galper at Small’s, NYC
Today is my brother’s birthday, so here’s a link for John Bishop playing with pianist Hal Galper at Small’s in New York in February. Also in the group is the great Seattle (and elsewhere) bassist […]
Transcription: Max Roach – Garvey’s Ghost
Here’s my brand new transcription of Max Roach’s drum solo over an Afro-Cuban vamp on Garvey’s Ghost, from Roach’s Percussion Bitter Suite. Includes a sample of the backing vamp, and of the drums on the […]
Chick Webb drum lesson – part 2
Another time I went to see him, and I thought I’d hang out with him all night. Instead, he put me upstairs with a metronome, made that damn thing go at the slowest tempo you […]
Drumming/jazz glossary roundup
Here I have briefly reviewed a selection of drumming and related glossaries from around the web. Writing definitions requires a special type of mind and writing skill, and is a pretty tedious, thankless task, so […]