The driver’s seat

¤ Gene Krupa has often been considered to be the first drum «soloist.» Drummers usually had been strictly time-keepers or noisemakers, but Krupa interacted with the other musicians and introduced the extended drum solo into jazz. His goal was to support the other musicians while creating his own role within the group. Gene is also considered the father of the modern drumset since he convinced H.H. Slingerland, of Slingerland Drums, to make tuneable tom-toms. Tom-toms up to that point had «tacked» heads, which left little ability to change the sound. The new drum design was introduced in 1936 and was termed «Seperate Tension Tunable Tom-Toms.» Gene was a loyal endorser of Slingerland Drums from 1936 until his death. Krupa was called on by Avedis Zildjian to help with developing the modern hi-hat cymbals. The original hi-hat was called a «low-boy» which was a floor level cymbal setup which was played with the foot.

∞ Gene Krupa & Buddy Rich ↓ [drum battle]

¤ Arguably the greatest jazz drummer of all time, the legendary Buddy Rich exhibited his love for music through the dedication of his life to the art. His was a career that spanned seven decades, beginning when Rich was 18 months old and continuing until his death in 1987. Immensely gifted, Rich could play with remarkable speed and dexterity despite the fact that he never received a formal lesson and refused to practice outside of his performances.

♦ Art Blakey ←(1919-90)

→www.drummerworld.com/Art_Blakey.html

♦ Max Roach (1924-2007)

→www.drummerworld.com/Max_Roach.html

♦ Billy Higgins (1936-2001)

→http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/billyhigginsbusterhenry.html

♦ Art Taylor (1929-1995)

→www.drummerworld.com/Art_Taylor.html

♦ Elvin Jones ←(1927-2004)

→www.drummerworld.com/Elvin_Jones.html

♦ Tony Williams ←(1945-1997)

→http://www.drummerworld.com/Tony_Williams.html

⊗ Great drummers: ⇓

Gene Krupa + Buddy Rich + Louie Bellson + Shelly Manne + Stan Levey + Kenny ‘Klook’ Clarke + Panama Francis + Sam Woodyard + Mel Lewis + Max Roach + Louis Hayes + Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath + Joe Morello + Art Blakey ↓

⊗ More great drummers . . . ⇓

Philly Joe Jones + Ed Thigpen + Frankie Dunlop + Connie Kay + Elvin Jones + Gus Johnson + Roy Haynes + Ben Riley + Dannie Richmond + Al Foster + Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie + Jimmy Cobb + Chico Hamilton + Ed Shaughnessy ↓

¤ Five Drummers Whose Time Is Now [New York Times ↓ June 12, 2009]

BEN RATLIFF writes about five [drummers] who have come to light more recently. They’re all finding new ways to look at the drum set, and at jazz itself:

•→ Marcus Gilmore •→ Kendrick Scott

•→ Dan Weiss

•→ Tyshawn Sorey •→ Justin Faulkner