Joe Morello: Take 5 Drum Solo

[@retort63]

My friend Mike and I were drummers in high school in the early 60’s, and Joe Morello was our idol. We went to a Dave Brubeck concert one summer night. The show was magical and inspirational. After the show, the group stayed on stage for a meet-and-greet with the fans. We met Joe, who was very friendly and approachable. He let us check out his kit, and he even gave us some pointers on stick technique. It was something I’ll never forget. God Bless Joe Morello!

[@samkhan230891]

Share the tip mate! Make a video!!!!

[@FlatlandMando]

Lucky guys to have a fine memory of a lifetime event like that

[@magdamonsivais4005]

Very lucky guys, I wish I had been there.

[@ezangakombo3720]

Thanks for sharing this story

[@daveyjoness905]

Incredible

[@MrTamaguy]

I love how Brubeck always kicks back during the Morello's solos and just watches him in awe. You can see him shake his head in amazement as if he is thinking "This guy is incredible!"

[@jimiamfirshur4778]

Dave Brubeck is a machine! That lays down a platform for them to dance on.

[@carnivalwrestler]

Technique, speed, control, crisp and clean crossovers, but what makes him great is his musicality. His solos were melodic.

[@sulladrum]

To say it yet again " a drummer's drummer." One of the very few drummers who knew how to construct a musical solo that also displayed phenomenal technique.

[@briankantor1857]

+john sullivan An everybody's drummer!

[@musicmusic6595]

spot on john, in my opinion, his musical mind was the best of that era on the drum kit, he had the perfect mix of chops, technique, what really strikes me with joe though is control, he doesnt let the solo get out of hand, has great sync between snare, bass drum, he was really a drummer in his own league.

[@roylewis5540]

Just outstanding. His speed and timing on that left handed drum roll was total precision. RIP Joe

[@coinneachmaclellan3121]

When it comes to Joe Morello, RIP stands for 'Really Inspiring Player'...

[@lettuceandtomatoes89]

That rebound leveraging is in insanely beautiful! He embodies letting one`s sticks being an extension of your hands.

[@dylangatenby9928]

Ah yes Morello was a master at that technique and he used mainly his two fingers to propel the stick in his hand off of the drum head. Kinda like bouncing a basketball 🏀

[@Owmxks]

LOL 2:15 "Hang on, I was jamming too hard there, let me readjust my drums real quick while I simultaneously keep the beat going" Joe Morello, you are my hero.

[@BudmanPackfan]

never lost a beat pulling his kit back....

[@kingink1971]

Ha! I saw that too! Lol a drummer knows!

[@musicmusic6595]

Joe's snare work is monsterous, you can really hear the accents pierce through the entire kit, its really impressive, i cant say enough good about this guy, brilliant drummer, and when you hear him talk hes so humble and grateful, the qualities of a champion!

[@JoeNocella]

Here's where John Bonham got his ideas from. This man right here! John was a big Morello fan.

[@LOFIAD]

I can definitely see resemblance, specially on the hand part

[@montgomerydenzer8805]

yep

[@j.s.connolly8579]

YEP! In FACT... Listen to ANY of the "GREAT" Rock Drummers of the 60's/70's LIKE Bonham, and Peart and and Bill Ward and others were ALL Inspired by Morello and Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Shelly Manne and Hal Blaine. THESE were the "ROCK STARS" of THEIR Era! If you Listen to "Hard Rock" songs like "Fairies Were Boots" by Black Sabbath... that isn't "ROCK"... it's JAZZ Sped up! LOL :D But listen to the drumming on that song. It isn't "FOUR on the FLOOR" Rock... He's Literally "SWINGING" the Beat! Give a Listen. If you are a Drummer or even just a seasoned musician... you will know EXACTLY What I'm talking about! THIS is JAZZ Dressed up as ROCK! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kInUfp6nmquEraM

[@TheZooNinjaS]

Also max roach man

[@dougdrazga4461]

@@j.s.connolly8579 I suspect Bonham was an Art Blakey fan too. Joe was so smooth. I think he keeps the 5/4 pulse the whole way through this.

[@Bhatt_Hole]

Buddy Rich: Look at me! Joe Morello: Dig this song!

[@alanschwartz8750]

Sorry it took me five years to reply, BUT EXACTLY EXACTLY EXACTLY. Rich serves himself. Morello serves the song. ALWAYS.

[@niallgraham628]

I’ve watched so many drum solos from so so many fabulous drummers and this short solo is the best I’ve ever seen, it has everything, I particularly like when he is on the floor tom and is muting it at different times, incredible musicality and then the left hand snare section as he moves it through his fingers to keep it going, AND it’s all over a 5/4 beat, the GOAT.

[@piscescat2]

Absolutely amazing! I saw Joe Morello giving a drumming demo/masterclass when I was 16 and I was the only female in the audience - he was awesome!!!

[@nickhajek]

Nearly 60 years later and still one of the coolest things ever.

[@johnsealy733]

How fast is that, sublime, American jazz drummers taught the world .

[@Midcoastmaine1]

I was lucky enough to meet and talk with him twice. A really wonderful man but more so a great talent. He wrote the book in alot of what we know today and was always willing to share and teach. Sad day when he passed. RIP Joe.

[@ryebread7224]

So unbelievably melodic. This is one of my favorite drum solos. Morello was an absolute artist.

[@Dutc308]

Great Drummer!!!! One of the best!!!

[@FazMaTaz]

His left hand was superb.

[@MrHydrogoon]

RIP Joe Morello, one of the best.

[@Evinger]

RIP Joe. Love this solo, complete with bass drum creep and all. Legendary. RIP

[@U2WB]

I studied with Joe in the mid 90s. His hand technique was second to none and so was his sense of humor. A wonderful guy and a fantastic teacher. I miss him a lot. RIP, Joe.

[@johnd4567]

you can see how his style influenced a lot of early rock drummers and still continues to inspire us young pups.

[@Sir_Poohheart]

I don’t know if there’s ever been a drummer who could incorporate such skillful musicality and technique in combination with speed and power into their drumming.

[@dylangatenby9928]

I have always loved this solo of Joe's ever since I first saw it years ago. He is truly one of the greats of jazz drumming.

[@gmonet46]

"Castillian Drums" is what this solo is all about! ( Countdown-Time In Outer Space) You'll hear what was to follow this Take 5 effort. Thanks for sharing this gem of a great, and now infamous spirit of jazz rhythm. He'll be remembered by us all.

[@michaelgreen5206]

A GOAT percussionist here folks!!!

[@Josh-dx6kj]

I have never seen this performance isolated like this. That is amazing.

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

Wonderful...Morello had that rare talent of making a drum solo a musical event, with impeccable groove and a start, middle and end! Bare in mind the complexity of the phrases it never once sounds like an exercise in independence ... worth checking his book NEW DIRECTIONS IN RHYTHM for some practical real-world examples!

[@rodmcdonough6111]

I thought I saw every one of Conans shows...cant believe I missed this one. My life is complete now, seeing live JOE MORELLO doing one of his best solos that you can see up close. He does all his classic Joe Morello stuff that you crave, and pulls out things many drummers would not attempt. Look at that left hand... it's faster and more developed than ever. He did the criss-criss tom combo stuff, his snare-only pyrotechnics which is a solo in itself, and double timed all of it at the end. He could have lost his stick a dozen times and his solo would still kick my ass all the way back to my first Mousekateer tin and paper drum, which is where I truly belong!

[@johnstafford2402]

Best drummer ever.

[@skineyemin4276]

Really, so, how do you think he would have held up playing Trane's quartet during Trane's post Miles peak?

[@warren9402]

@@skineyemin4276 True that.

[@carlincledon4794]

Some of the finest drumming I've ever seen

[@MXZEric]

I love the way Joe keeps the time on the hat and kick has he fills. Masterful.

[@tcbetka]

If Joe Morello gave you "the finger" with his left hand, you'd really have something. I've seen this video 50 times or more, and am still in awe of the man's talent. His touch on the snare drum is incredible while playing with his hands/fingers, and his finger control for ghost notes on the snare is amazing as well. RIP, Mr. Morello.

[@mrjehupitchfork]

Its NEVER a competition but I'll take Joe over Buddy any day of the week. So much taste in his playing.

[@EricDMeade]

Jehu Pitchfork Agreed!

[@CC57985]

tbh I'd take Ringo over Buddy... not even joking!

[@manysnakes]

If I want drum acrobatics, I'll take Buddy. For literally anything else, there's always a more interesting drummer.

[@RandomlyDrumming]

Agreed! Musicality over showmanship. Buddy's solos were always boring as hell, just a random demonstration of how fast he can play, without trying to say anything with his playing.

[@manysnakes]

Check out the left hand technique at 1:46. Fucking incredible.

[@christopherjohnson5748]

+darkasthegrave I honestly think that's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen by any drummer.

[@petec9686]

+darkasthegrave this is what sets Joe apart from the rest. He has Buddy Rich chops (well, almost) with better musicality. That bare hand playing is just jaw dropping. I'll bet a young Jon Bonham was watching that thinking to himself, hmmmmmm.

[@jeffreyalexander7504]

+darkasthegrave palm down and using fingers. This cat was good.

[@manysnakes]

It's nuts. Watching it again, I'm noticing his left hand triplets on the cymbal at 2:13. Switches from right to left in order to pull the bass drum closer. Doesn't even flinch. He's not capable of stopping the swing. What a musician.

[@keirbrown7734]

@@petec9686 its so marching drummer technique which he was a pro at. wouldnt mind relearning that skill with closed left hand

[@jackduggan3620]

THE BEST I EVER SAW !

[@sevenonsunday3968]

All this amazing drumming, and still has time to fix his tom! This is just what cool was defined as. First time ever seeing him drum, now about to go to the second time. Thanks for posting.

[@o7y]

A true master who set the standard for generations to come!

[@mr.scottpowell]

I'm not a drummer, and don't usually pay attention to the hi hat. But I did during this solo. Unbelievable how he keeps that same rhythm going on it - consistently on second and fourth beats in 5/4 time, while doing all those other complex rhythms on snares, etc. Wow.

[@drpauleyemd]

Moon says he is a “perfect drummer.” He rarely praised a drummer, only a few individual pieces/performances. Legend.

[@redsed1565]

a solo in 5/4 hence the take 5 is the most amazing piece i have seen

[@cello68]

true master - the reason why I like jazz so much Thanks for the grooves Joe!

[@ritter1808]

Shit. I thought we was great before . . . Now I'm just speechless. Respect.

[@talldrinkomusic]

Skillz! I like how he tilts his head when he hears the beautiful sounds he is making!

[@JimiPain]

I could watch videos like these the whole day

[@VBoodZ]

Love the reaction from background crowd when he does those snare rolls...

[@seaape]

I first saw this group live in 1960. Joe is my favorite drummer. So long, Joe. Say hello to Duke, Monk, and Trane when you see them.

[@mholub]

Who in their right mind would give this a thumbs down? Hey....it's JOE MORELLO!

[@justincase4254]

50 years ago, give or take,when I first heard TAKE 5,the drum solo the reason I listened over & over again.Bonham was a big fan of Morello. The person who picked that up is pretty damn knowledgeable.Des threatened to quit if Dave hired him

[@CrisLifeCoach]

I’m just speechless watching but mainly listening to this pure ecstasy art - my brain just goes away with the tempo

[@MrTamaguy]

The whole thing is just sick, but :36 is AMAZING!!! I can't watch this enough.

[@coinneachmaclellan3121]

After watching this video I've got to believe that "Morello" is the Italian word for "magical music"...

[@PENDEJO-POMPOTAS]

I love this extremely creative solo where the basic 5/4 time signature is maintained between the bass drum and the hi hat whilst the hands alone plus hands with sticks demonstrate a certain disconnection with the basic rhythm but nevertheless remain very creative and what the produce actually somehow fits within the 5/4 ambiance. The result is something orgasmic from a drummer's point of view. Quite unique - but there again Morello was a unique fellow. A similar type of solo is to be found on one of their numbers called "far more drums", itself based on another number "far more blue".

[@omarr6964]

Wow!!!!!! The best part is watching the reaction of the people in the back. 🤯

[@MrTamaguy]

Remember, this is in 5/4 time, and his feet keep PERFECT time throughout, even while he is jamming on the snare. I play drums but compared to this I am just a crappy rock 4/4 drummer. Morello is is the best.

[@manysnakes]

+Bob Sacamano Years before Morello died, I heard him interviewed on Fresh Air. Terry Gross asked him how he learned these odd time signatures, and (just like every drum instructor I had told me to do) he said he simply started playing them extremely slow, one beat at a time, until he could speed them up and play the fluidly. For some reason, it REALLY stuck with me, and I think of it regularly. If you want to progress as a musician, you have to slow down and assess your technique one measure at a time. My teachers told me this for years, but this is when it finalyl struck my, and it has made a WORLD of difference in my playing over the past decade.

[@hddrummer8838]

You're a crappy drummer because you just started playing, or, you been to lazy to practice your craft. My comment isn't to bash you but to motivate you to improve in what you love doing (im assuming you love playing drums). I started playing drums 3 years ago and now I play professionally. Practiced a minimum of 8 hours Monday through Friday for more than 2 years. Its doable man.

[@henryjames8654]

Bob, there aren't many here that even notice the 5/4 or know what it means. I wanted to comment on the impossible left hand. I mean what right handed drummer does one handed rolls with his left hand on a closed grip, it's almost impossible.

[@bigneutron5510]

Don´t talk bullshit here. A drummer like Morello is born maby every 100 years. You can practise as long as you want you will never became like him! Morello was not only a brainless beatslavepumper he was an artist!

[@bigswingface5847]

HD - - - I disagree. Some people just will never be good no matter how much they practice. Some have it, some don't. Some will just be crappy no matter how much they work at it. Just because a person WANTS to do something does not mean they are able to do it. There has to be a natural musical ability to begin with. Some people simply don't have it.

[@desdoigts]

Ouah . Amazing! You are the best Joe, for ever . God bless You!

[@MikeOxmellsGrimm8]

Bass drum, snare, two toms, two cymbals and hi hats... Definately was my problem when I was younger, I was trying to compensate the lack of skill with a bigger kit. This man shows what is possible from the most basic kit. No doubt he could beat me if all he had was a ride...

[@Everettbepgov]

Before I start my day I give God His Praise and listen to Joe Morello.

[@antoniouscaesar]

one of the greatest legends

[@thedrumsoloist]

Flat out, bar-none, best thing I ever heard on the drums. - Heck to the yeah!

[@ottowes]

What a fantastic solo by Joe! The camera angle is really great in this clip as you can clearly see the speed of his handiwork. Also a nice touch with the intro featuring a hands without sticks solo. May he rest in peace.

[@stoo234]

Love the way the kit runs off towards the end he has to pull it back..lol brilliant, and the hi hats slip more an more open as he gets going...lol..reminds me of my first kit...hardware sure has come a long way ..great video Thankyou.

[@007gumshoe]

@Midcoastmaine1 Joe was my main influence when i was growing up as a drummer! I met him twice also.He was always flocked around by other drummers to learn from the master and was nevwe be in a hurry. He loved to help them/us be their best. He used the Moller/Gladstone technique -He is true master personified!

[@paulhiggins2275]

Unbelievable... he is the master!!

[@michaelheinz3954]

Elegant, musical, thrilling...what a legend!

[@Pearlwig]

What talent this guy had.Brilliant!!!!!

[@1948BigCy]

Yeah, RIP Joe Morello...He topped Downbeat's list of drummers several years running...ditto Paul on alto...while others my age were listening to rock, I was listening to jazz...when they oohed and ahhed over Ginger Baker's drumming excesses, all I could think of was Joe's subtleties and taste, his sense of time and all those crazy rhythms Dave made him play, 9/4, 10/4...a true artist...all of them were...fortunately, we have their recordings to remind us how great they were...

[@mitchweiner]

The best jazz instrumental I’ve ever heard!

[@Arturarm388]

It's a pity that this wonderful man is no longer alive. Rest in peace Morello

[@Diatonic5th]

Beautiful solo!

[@fintonomalley]

what a great performance, truly inspiring. sad, sad loss to the jazz world. may you rest in piece joe morello. SHINE ON YOU CRAZY METRONOME!

[@marcuscampling3600]

Spellbinding skill-thankyou Joe Morello !

[@BBT609]

DRUMMING WITH HANDS!!! LOVE IT!!!!

[@kellykilts6297]

Got this man's autograph in 1975 at a drum workshop when I was a student in jazz band in high school. Amazing, and I had the privilege of going to high school with the legendary Todd Strait. Wonderful memories. Jazz drummers Rule.

[@infantfinite]

Woh, that was absolutely amazing.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Apart from the great playing, how good did his Ludwigs sound. Beautiful.

[@chewgumer]

I was about to write the same thing.

[@roybeckerman9253]

@@chewgumer I wonder why the change to DW, later in his career....better endorsement deal. ?

[@chewgumer]

@@roybeckerman9253 Joe must have had a better deal although the DWs sound nowhere as good as his Ludwig set. I wonder if they fell out although Ludwig drums were taken over by that time.

[@roybeckerman9253]

@@chewgumer Mick Fleetwood, Don Henley and many other famous rock drummers, made the same switch. I’d say DW went all out to sign up the big names. We are paying for all this, with their high costs. Give me Ludwigs anytime..

[@c.s.jackson7214]

Ludwigs are my favorite drum sets. I played on one four years ago, and they sounds great.

[@EugeneSkeef230650]

Phenomenal!

[@dubby46]

Just brilliant.the comment about young drummers should learn this is spot on!

[@Coowallsky]

Every one of Joe's solos was a clinic.

[@toosousand]

I love his patented move he does on most of his solos. The casual adjustment to his glasses with the right hand, while the left just keeps on going.

[@kcdirtslinger]

R.I.P. Joe... Thanks for the wonderful tunes!

[@dylangatenby9928]

Great drummer, jazz legend.

[@RoofLight00]

almost brings tears to the eyes he sooo bloody good!

[@dantedelcolombo1742]

Senza parole, grande!!!

[@janetcraft]

Amazing. One thing about his playing - he does not give any room for any guitar player to step in. This is his show. Brovo! Love him.

[@greg55666]

Brovo! Encare!

[@MrTamaguy]

It's a drum solo, genius.

[@janetcraft]

Totally. I like 1960s style Jazz. In fact - all types of cool Jazz.

[@280StJohnsPl]

Joe Morello....totally legendary !

[@theaikikid]

Holy molly! Just his left hand alone is a solo in and of itself!

[@Aditiyan]

Joe Morello - All time great

[@libb_y]

My god, this is brilliant.

[@ttlms]

@mindingosafado Count the beats. The downbeat is the bass drum. Beat two and four are the high hat. So Morello keeps the beat with his feet the whole time he's playing the solo with his hands. "Take 5" refers to the 5/4 time signature and is a play on words, i.e. "Take a break:" The theme to Mission: Impossible is also in 5/4.

[@willmcgee45]

Mind blown.

[@gustavoalejandroerzen6382]

Un capo total!!!!!

[@MarkR1957]

Yes, I believe this was an old TV show called "Playboy After Dark", hosted by Hef in the '60's.

[@NeCkDeLonGe182]

lo mejor de lo mejor del jazz.........joe morello

[@MrEdium]

AMAZING !!!! Sooooo Natural....... A True Genius !!!

[@gordonwebster2931]

He's the greatest glad you like him too

[@4DECO1]

That was an awesome solo! He played better with his hands than most play with sticks!

[@marcusking8507]

This is so good

[@robomac2011]

Excellent 👍🔥

[@raymondolino]

So sad to hear of Joe's death......... a true great of jazz drumming. Ace control and co-ordination and musicianship. the best way to pay tribute is to listen to Take 5 and then go and work it out on a kit.......great fun and a way to pay the great man homage

[@keithsoifer3079]

FALL, 1975, a small gymnasium converted in to a concert space, at a small college in So NH. Joining him onstage, his four teenage sons. However young I was as a freshman, somehow I had the sense to know I was witnessing jazz greatness. (There r two albums released in the same yr considered the greatest albums in jazz history in the greatest jazz year. Name the albums n the year?)