BILL BRUFORD Drum Icon Out of Retirement Playing Gigs Yes Crimson Earthworks Prog Fusion Jazz Drums

[@perigee1275]

Being a drummer myself I know how hard it is to stand out among all the drummers out there. Bruford has invented a unique style that is unmistakable. He really is one of the greatest drummers of all time. Very happy to see him playing again.

[@bobhoekstra691]

Agree 100%

[@andrewjaman4697]

I agree. And I'm not even a drummer!

[@jimcapps5330]

Give him anything he wants; he's earned it.

[@skipmessier765]

So glad to see him playing live again and obviously enjoying himself. Play on, Bill !

[@tomhill9445]

I laughed at Bills answer to Levins invitation to join Beat. Tony, ya wanna be a rock star again ? Bill, why, so I can wait around airports looking for lost luggage ?

[@Gmanrushfan]

You may take a break. Even a long break… but you can never escape the desire to play and perform if you’ve done that all your life.

[@vbassone]

Exactly. It was kinda obvious he would come back to playing at some point.

[@lincolnadams83]

If I had the money to fly to England I would go right now just to see this trio. It would be the most expensive show I've ever tried to see.

[@philwildcroft1764]

The gigs are not just only in the UK, they're all within an hour of his home. He doesn't even need to have an overnight stay never mind to stand at a luggage carousel. Having said that, he has been doing quite a few (by his standards) overseas talks this year at conventions and even as support act at a couple of US gigs. I have a ticket to see the trio in Pangbourne, which must be the first time Pangbourne has been on the rock'n'roll map since Jimmy Page lived there.

[@SwampEye1]

The Pioneer ... and my all time favorit Rock, Prog, Jazz drummer

[@1ouncebird]

Now this is something I didn't expect to see. Woo-Hoo! My favorite drummer is back at it! Good for Dr. Bruford. Sorry I don't live in the UK so I can't witness any gigs but I'm happy to hear that Bill is back behind the kit. Wonderful news. Thanks.

[@ddsdss256]

Bruf was my main influences in my earlier days and there will likely always be a bit of him in my playing. It was a pleasure meeting him after one of many Crimson gigs I was privileged to see. Truly one of the best ever. From reading his autobiography (highly recommended), I got a lot of insight into him and his decision to bow out, so I'm glad to see him returning, if even on a limited basis. You can't play that well without passion and that passion drives you to keep playing. I hope I get another chance to see him live--those rooms should be packed! If only Fripp were open to it, it would be great to hear what might transpire...

[@kimobailey2926]

Amazing ! Would love to see this one !

[@timwhite5647]

I, for one, am certainly glad to see him back at it once again. I never could figure out why he retired so early in life. I know he was asked to participate in the upcoming 80's Crimson project..."Beat:, which he declined to do, but, maybe that got him thinking......"what if......" Good for you Bill! The world is a better place when you're behind a kit.

[@paulmazierski5945]

As you stated, he is an icon and innovator to generations of prog, rock, and jazz drummers. He has nothing more to prove to anyone and earned his retirement to do whatever he wants to do in any musical genre. Lets just sit back and enjoy whatever tickles his fancy.

[@teemusid]

I used to sleep with the radio on very low in the mid-80's. I woke up in the middle of the night, and was hearing a song I had never heard before. Then I paid attention to the drumming, as it stood out, and knew it had to be Bill Bruford. It didn't sound like his band, and it was clearly not KC or Yes. I guessed/figured out it was UK, but had to stay awake for the DJ's verification. He is one of a kind.

[@skipmessier765]

Glad to see him playing live again and very obviously enjoying what he’s doing. Play on, Bill !

[@wurm90125]

He's doing this on his own terms and he's earned the right to do it.

[@absinthedude]

So good to see he's enjoying this. It shows on his face.

[@MarcelloPaganini]

much love and respect your way Bill Bruford :)

[@MatChew75]

I knew he couldn't stay away from the beat...... but like I've seen other people say he's doing it on his own terms and I dig....He can do whatever he wants he's deserved the right the respect and the honor, Of all of his peers and his beloved fans such as myself. Control, triplets,ratamacue,double paradiddle,Rim shots, breathing, fluidity, proper technique, traditional grip, eletricdrums/octagon/rototoms/ slit drum ,master technician on the down and upbeat and rolling thunder!. drums are a language they speak to me and I answer them.

[@megasoid]

Happy to see Bill Bruford back on the bandstand even if the situation is virtual for those "across the pond". The band sounds great, thanks for posting.

[@PierreC2]

He's always love jazz..

[@SurreyBasements1]

Seeing him on the 18th September, can’t wait

[@andrewjaman4697]

Dude just keeps getting better the older he gets!!!

[@chris-qw4xb]

Best Yes drummer ♥️

[@mastervhs1871]

that snare!

[@marpsr]

Bruford! Wish he was with the Beat tour though.

[@johnhanes4442]

Yes! Danny Carey is no slouch, but there is no one who plays like Bill. Still, got my tickets for the Beat show yesterday

[@terrydavis5915]

@@johnhanes4442 not me

[@MK-xl9tt]

@@johnhanes4442I’m with you much anticipated tour

[@SJK-uc6lf]

I saw Beat yesterday. Carey is one of my favorite drummers, but would've been nice to see Bruford, and Fripp too for that matter. Now I feel spoiled complaining about getting to see Steve Vai and Danny Carey... performing with Adrian Belew and Tony Levin. What an amazing show!

[@unknown6390]

No kidding??? Awesome!!

[@marshallross3373]

Crazy. I literally pondered whether Bruford would be willing to play at a residency, since he'd reportedly had an issue with life on the road. So, this jazz deal sounds like a similar compromise--live performance without long distant, airport travel.

[@fandru5538]

He has always been a favorite of mine, and i am very happy for him to see he is back, even if it is just for few small gigs. He seemed to have on-vercome the maggots of doubt and self depreciation, because the real unbelievable for me and so sad reason why he left in the first place was because he just couldn't play no more under the pressure. Last shows were nightmarish, blackholes he didn't remember anything, except the terrifying sensation of getting on stage without having a clue of what he was going to play. Unbelievable that such a great talent, so original and witty, may have seen himself as an impostor. He was such a gifted guy. One of the last chapters of his autobiography, a must read for everyone, ends like this :"better be silent, then". When I read this, I was devastated.

[@chrismoller4272]

A great musician must PLAY. What else isthere?

[@janewells5970]

We can only hope they do a few US shows!

[@timwhite5647]

What, and watch the baggage carousel go round and round? Somehow, I don't think so.

[@laurentakchote8242]

BRUFORD AS A UNIC FLAVOR 🍰...WITH A CHERRY ON TOP !

[@jonnykhatru]

He's still got it!

[@rembeadgc]

It can be nice to play just because you love it and not because it pays your bills or somebody else's bills. Let him play in peace.

[@stefanthorpenberg887]

I remember he said when he retired that he had difficulties to keep up with all difficult tempo changes in the music he was involved in. Could understand that, and thought that a more free improvising setting probably would fit him much better. It must be pressing to sit in a stiff prog group for years. There’s no room for improvising at all. Perhaps he got it right now.

[@anta40]

Perhaps one day there's a 80's King Crimson reunion, considering Fripp, Levin, Belew are still alive? We can hope, eh? :D

[@hockeyhelps3910]

They come anywhere near me, I’ll be there.

[@davidwebb2816]

Please let me know if you have any plans to tour america 🥁 Master Drummer

[@paulgorrell7361]

The current Yes will take anybody .

[@dimension10studio]

So now he's prepared to understand Robert Fripp of the late 70s on the way to 1981.

[@kirkgray6949]

Good!

[@mikec7176]

👍🥁👍

[@gregdietz5183]

In almost every video I see on Bruford the narrator makes it sound like Prog rock is all he ever did. You guys do know that the last 20 years of career were primarily with Earthworks, a jazz quartet.

[@aakkoin]

Broof!!

[@johnmarshall6216]

yes

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

The concept of "retirement" for any artist, is a bit ridiculous and comes off as an attention craving stunt. (Some kind of passive aggressive behavior). You don't simply turn off your talent. It's like saying that you've decided to stop breathing. Love Bruford. Glad to see he's stepping out again.

[@simonbaush6200]

Wasn't that gig a year ago? He's not out of retirement. He hasn't played anywhere since this surprise appearance.

[@philwildcroft1764]

He has five dates booked this autumn though, first public and publicised drumming appearances since his retirement.

[@mindjob]

He can play until he’s as old as Art Blakey

[@doyasteve]

#billbruford

[@jolyonholloway483]

If the touring aspect of playing was the reason he retired,I don't understand why he couldn't record albums with bands conditional on no touring.

[@tomcarl8021]

Playing a few jazz gigs with a trio is not "coming out of retirement".

[@vbassone]

Bill Bruford is NOT a jazz drummer, not really. There have been periods where he was more jazz-like, but he is really not a jazz drummer. He is a progressive rock drummer with SOME jazz language.

[@steveoglesby4120]

Bruford was inspired to play drums by jazz artists. Listen to the first YES album.

[@slickjames2541]

I agree he's not a jazz drummer at least I've never heard him play in a straight ahead swing based context but all his influences were the jazz drumming legends which definitely helped him to develop such a unique and original style. No one sounds like he does.

[@steveturner9468]

Jazz is whatever the hell Bruford says it is.

[@vbassone]

@@steveturner9468 WRONG wiseguy; Jazz IS WHAT IT IS/WAS/WILL BE LONG BEFORE AND AFTER THERE WAS EVER A FKIN BILL BRUFORD. YOU GOT THAT?

[@vbassone]

@@slickjames2541 I completely agree that he is an original and I have always respected Bill Bruford; but as a progressive rock drummer. Having jazz influences doesn't necessarily make one a bonafide jazz drummer. My only problem with Bill is that he desperately wants to be thought of as a genuine jazz drummer right alongside other TRUE modern jazz drummers like Bill Stewart or Eric Harland, and simply put, he isn't.

[@terrydrums]

Wonderful.