One of the joys of jazz is to be able to identify the specific sound, or “voice” of a musician. For some reasons, drummers have a special appeal to me. Maybe because I first noticed drummers with Gene Krupa’s famous tom toms on “Sing Sing Sing”. It’s probably different for you.
So, since we’re focusing on drummers this month, I’ve put together a collection of signature drum moments, certain moments or styles that drummers have that have become their sound. This is how we identify them.
’m sure this list reflects my age, etc, but if you aren’t familiar with all of them, you’re doing yourself a favor to learn more about them.
- Gene Krupa: his tom toms on “Sing Sing Sing” essentially identifies with the Big Band era
- Jo Jones: Nothing like his hi hat wisping in the breeze to create that Kansas City Swing, as on “One O’Clock Jump” or “Tickle Toe” with Count Basie
- Max Roach: His syncopated ride cymbal with Charlie Parker, and later with Clifford Brown, defined bebop and hard bop, as on the classic “Blues Walk” with Brownie
- Art Blakey: Speaking of hard bop, his press roll is a patented force of energy. Check out his solo on his teaming with Thelonious Monk on “Well, You Needn’t”
- Shelly Manne: One of the most recorded session men, he does a clippety clop feel on Sonny Rollins’ “I’m An Old Cowhand” that gets under your skin
- Philly Joe Jones: Also a highly recorded session man; few hit harder and louder on the hard bop circuit, as shown on his work with Miles Davis’ first “Classic” Quintet, with his high hat sizzling on “Airegin”
- Jimmy Cobb: Best known for his lithe ride cymbal, his introductory “crash” on the opening on Miles Davis’ “So What” is the entrance sound of legend
- Elvin Jones: His thunderous triplets are legendary, from his volcanic work on albums like John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” to even soft and subtle work on his “Ballads” album
- Tony Williams: He was just a teenager when he joined Miles Davis, but his maniacal ride cymbal on “My Funny Valentine” or his thunderous buildup on “Nefertiti” changes your blood pressure.
- Buddy Rich: Pick any song-sooner or later, that ratatatat on his snare is going to hit you like an AK-47.
- Harvey Mason: his funk feel on Herbie Hancock’s Headhunting album featuring “Chameleon” defines the plugged in 1970s
Steve Gadd: the rumbling thing he does at the climax of Steely Dan’s “Aja” with Wayne Shorter is one for the books!
