Steve Gadd Throwback Thursday From the MI Vault

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[@bobbyblazier7374]

He's the most musical drummer in my life time.

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Amen!

[@dramaqueen6G]

I felt that way about Max Roach, too

[@basslobster]

The pocket, the grooves, the swing, the dynamics, the feel. There you have it.

[@JohnWilmerding]

Probably the world's best drum kit operator.

[@davideleouet]

This is gold.

[@matthewsmith404]

I would never think of Steve having to work much on anything . He is one of the most humble greats. Not to mention his respect to Jeff and Rick and other drummers.

[@2007christian]

I could listen to Steve Gadd for hours without getting bored.

[@yigitturkmen3768]

Not a single sec wasted watching this from start to finish. Impressive

[@newportmike8519]

Gadd damn I love this cat. One of may all time favorites.

[@romangarcia608]

my all-time favorite drummer without question, my man is a freaking wizard on the drums 🥁 🧙

[@ChromaticHarp]

I had the pleasure of seeing Mr Gadd with the band Stuff, at Mikel’s in NYC, Paul’s mall in Boston, and at Player’s Tavern in Westport, CT. He was always grooving hard! Anyone else out there who’s seen Stuff?

[@MP-ju4ol]

Steve is the same guy in this video as he is now (2022). A great mix of Master and teacher. Rare, very rare.

[@mtgarrett]

Of course the playing is outstanding - BUT, the talking points are GOLD. Thank you!

[@jasoncavitt2043]

He's so thoughtful with his responses... he takes as much time as he needs to get the words right, and isn't worried at all about protracted empty space. Kinda like his playing.

[@GingerDrums]

+Jason Cavitt, what a perceptive comment!

[@jonescrusher1]

+Jason Cavitt He was fairly high also...

[@GingerDrums]

being willing to wait for longer periods before offer in a solution is directly correlated with creativity in research.

[@mikeycon10]

Man what a great comment! I think you’ve summed up what’s so great about his playing and personality. There’s a great lesson in that . Thanks

[@ScottGrant22]

@@GingerDrums he wasn’t high, just been through rehab, we (in the audience) were instructed to not inquire about drugs or alcohol.

[@mancuniancandidatem]

The groove was already golden with his feet before he even layed a stick on the hihat!

[@josephwilkinson1610]

As a drummer, and a fan of Gadd for many years, sometimes I don't know if I should smile in appreciation or weep bitterly for my inability to express myself so beautifully. The time and passion he has put into his gift is something to be admired.

[@Sms8668]

Keep playing Joe, Even Gadd learns something new everyday.

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

​@@Sms8668right on!

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

So well said. When I was an apprentice carpenter, 64 yr.old journeyman Smitty said to me, "No matter how long you've been doing this, there's always something new to learn." Words to live by.

[@tjroy]

Oh HELLZ YES !!!!! THANK YOU MI !!!!!!

[@BobSchusterMusiccom]

Listening on AirPods the thing first struck is the tuning of his drums. Perfection. Even the cowbell is sublime.

[@musopaul5407]

Gadd at his absolute best. Stunning - thanks for posting.

[@danielpincus221]

Those 16th notes were going in his mind from the beginning. Funkissimo.

[@acsticks1]

I remember this. I was there from 1988-1989! Standing in the back of the room taking it all in and I look to my right and there standing next to me watching Gadd too was Greg Bissonette and Myron Grombacker! LOL! What a rush! :)

[@canadiandrummer1108]

Art Corey .... thanks for dating this. When he mentioned "Jeff" as being one of "the guys out here" ... I knew it was pre-1992. Gadd is the greatest. You're so fortunate to have been there for this awesome clinic.

[@acsticks1]

Canadian Drummer You're welcome...I was a student at MI then...it brought back a lot of great memories!

[@acsticks1]

I was fortunate for sure! Awesome experiance and Gadd was a bonus.

[@fryankeejobohemian2510]

+Art Corey Dude, I was standing to the right of them!! Very Cool!! Nice to meet ya Art!!

[@acsticks1]

Awesome!

[@shredsixsixsix9218]

Steve is one of those guys who keeps the time so well ,it is like time travel

[@macadoo2530]

It's the groove that matters most..even if the chops are sick as his are Thx Steve.

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Yes, Groove!

[@kauffmanmerlijn]

This stuff is just pure gold

[@davemcfarland775]

Love the fact that he’s in no hurry to build up the solo... seems like everyone else jumps in playing chaotic phrases because they think that they have to because it’s “a solo by the way” 😂

[@shapshooter7769]

To be fair, most drummers only get around 32 bars of time to do the solo, better unleash the lions now or end up with Zack's grooves

[@crissignori7482]

Just get up and dance cause this IS a groove

[@TonchBiik]

This is the most honest and motivating lesson that I've ever watched

[@ribeironp]

This is drumming at its best! It's more than just technique, it's playing with feeling and musical meaning. The late Richard Tee considered Steve Gadd to be his favourite musician, this says a lot. Thanks MI for putting this one up, it's definitely one the best out there.

[@odaydrums]

After Steve's awesome moment at 17:47 it jump cuts to Steve saying"my friend asked..." That was me! I was actually cut off off by a dude in front of me. Steve patiently answered his question then said I think someone had a question over here. I always wondered why he called me"his friend" I think he just cared enough to give some random student respect.That night was just so awesome. Hi to any MI peeps at that clinic ; )

[@acsticks1]

Mark ODay Hey fellow student from MI!!! '88-'89!!

[@mrtomcat91604]

Hi there, PIT 88 to 89 here as well!

[@bartmuller7727]

Howdy Mark, I was a PIT student at the time and was there! It was like going to drum church in that room, even the teachers were in awe. I also remember Gregg Bissonette and Myron Grombacher being there.

[@odaydrums]

@@acsticks1 Hey Art in this day and age maybe you are still on?

[@odaydrums]

@@mrtomcat91604 Yo how are you? Where you a Europe guy?

[@SKragseth]

Inspiration. That entire opening solo was the coolest I've heard, EVER

[@ShaneYoung]

Steve has always been and will always be my biggest inspiration.

[@jeraldcuccurullo2497]

So glad we met 1991 and was a bit shy to ask for his autograph but he's the nicest musician left on planet covid19 Earth

[@milo8796]

This is invaluable to drummers everywhere.....

[@Le_Mer]

I'm not a drummer and this is still such a joy to watch

[@milo8796]

Legend has it, a fellow MI student gave Steve a bump or two right before this!!

[@romangarcia608]

💯, In Gadd We Trust! ☝🏼

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

​@@milo8796 So? Judge much? If you can't add something constructive, please don't spread conjecture..

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

First time I saw @1:53, I laughed out loud. Steve Gadd's cool is off the charts.

[@officialrohinmusic]

Oh shit it’s Rob Brown! I just wanted to say thanks for your videos, they really helped me out with some drumming stuff I’ve been struggling with, your tuning videos in particular cleared some things up for me.

[@fuzzy8mike]

Rob Brown Is that an American thing ? I really wanna come to America. The Americans I have met have all been lovely, polite and laid back people. I travelled half way around Europe with a big negro guy called Yaz. Really good, easy company. Total trust. Love and respect from the suburbs of Perth, Western Australia.

[@zsebestien7050]

@@fuzzy8mike What do you mean "is that an American thing?" i'm curious to what you're speaking about. Definitely make your way down to Mississippi for some jazz and blues. Great stuff down here. Also, the word "negro" has a lot of negativity surrounding it in our culture today, its a term that was mostly used during the slavery period of American history. Just an fyi. Have a great day dude :)

[@fuzzy8mike]

Dantaye Walker I don’t know what I meant DW. It was 10 months ago ! It was so long ago it was pre-Covid !! 🤣🤣🤣 The American trip didn’t happen.... but I still want it to happen

[@yigitturkmen3768]

@9:50

[@stretch54]

You can always hear the drum cadence mentality in everything Steve plays. He gets a great feel though. If you listen to his very early 70's recordings you can hear where he did used to play on top of the beat more. He started moving on the back of the beat a little later. I was obsessed with his playing back in the 70's when I was young and learning to play. I know a lot of guys were. Steve is a treasure.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

cadence mentality...well said!!! love to discuss this more

[@mikehawk9461]

What do u mean by top of beat

[@eddy71454]

@@mikehawk9461 - if you don't know the difference between playing on the top (or front) of the beat rather than on the back of the beat then you probably aren't a musician. His feel is more full and laid back within the time now than it used to be when he was younger. All musicians play time in their particular way.

[@catboyzee]

As a multi-instrumentalist (keys, bass, guitar, & sometimes drumset) hearing Steve Gadd do his thing just makes me want to play alongside him. His style is just so inspiring. Much respect.

[@stevemassarone1470]

The first 30 seconds is mind blowing how much feel is in that simple beat

[@Dinostriadrums]

The best groove and feeling. Thanks Steve GOD!!

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Good 1!

It's perfect like a machine then it's not ... AMAZING. Such creativity

[@gavinrowley8930]

God, this is a great video. He answers in the most useful way for us listener's. He takes time to find the right words, and during that time, we get to process what he just said until we get it. It's timed really well, for lack of a better way to say it. Thanks for this video.

[@funklover24]

He does everything with love. ❤

[@freda1051]

One of my favorites drummers, what precision !!!

[@HenryPerez_royal_hp]

My drum Idol, he is exactly what a drummer needs to be: Simple yet refined with TONS of rudiments, with a bit of showmanship thrown in, all with a unique sound (you know once you hear a Gadd beat you know it's him, some say it's repetitive - i say it's EFFIN GENIUS as in those days people would hear you only and he knew if he created those triplets to be his signature anyone can pick him out in a song). May the good lord give him many more years of drumming!

[@GregoryWolak]

Exelentdrumming

[@dannydescalzo]

One of my biggest inspirations and I turn all my students on to him. Thanks Mr. Steve Gadd.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

To this day nobody plays like this...Gadd is in a different world...who would approach a clinic like this...laid back to the max...most go into max-mode right away...Gadd builds a musical expression even in clinic

[@fuzzy8mike]

Jeff Porcaro Groove he comments about being nervous and having to settle in.

[@warlordbison]

Telling you the slow build at the beginning is my favorite part of the whole thing......when he starts opening the hat it's just so satisfying. I have always found it much harder to play slow and controlled than max mode.

[@sonomama82]

The man is so dynamic. Can't even try to imitate his style.

[@pedrumb]

What a beautiful piece of art, wisdom and passion. Absolutely inspiring!

[@Tom_Doretto]

its mind blowing how solid Gadd is

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

This is how a drum master does it! His drums alone are music. I thought he’d open with “50 Ways to Leave Your lover”!

[@davidcurtis4478]

Through grace and harmony the groove comes from within your soul. Steve has huge heart to be able to play with such delicate intricacies. I could watch Steve play quarters on the Hi Hat all day and be totally mesmerized by his grace behind the drums. Love ya Steve! David Curtis, keep the groove! 🎶🥁😎

[@davidnorman4923]

All these great players inspire each other and respect each other's playing! That's a beautiful thing!

[@PeteRamos7]

I Graduated from PIT in 1989. I was there that night!!! That's Big Joe Brancato introducing Steve. I found old pics I took of this night recently, and will never forget the Gadd Grooove that night!!

[@acsticks1]

***** Hey Pete...Art Corey here...I was there too! PIT 1989!!

[@PeteRamos7]

Art Corey Hey Art....what a night that was!!..Very cool to hear from you..take care!

[@drummer78]

Pete Ramos what happened to PIT? I remember their ads in Modern Drummer circa 1988-89. Was it run by Joe Pocorro? Seemed like it was kind of a West Coast Berklee.

[@bartmuller7727]

@@drummer78 MI is still going strong, I was there a couple of years ago and they have actually now become accredited and offer bachelor's programs. As alumni, they allowed me to come in and take a tour. The inside hasn't really changed much in 30 years, the hallways full of drum practice rooms look just like they did in '89

[@mrtomcat91604]

This is so awesome to find on here. I was in the audience for that... I was the one who asked the question about his right hand that he's answering at 1:00:14 since I was obsessed with his techniques. This brings back wonderful, wonderful memories... 30 years ago... summer or 1989. I just saw him two years ago again and he still rocks.

[@odaydrums]

Thomas Hornig just seeing this now. We both got to ask him a question how cool! What a great year that was : )

[@shuntadrums]

ドラムだけ聴いていてこんなに音楽的な人はいるのだろうか。 今のドラマーは格闘技みたいで音楽と言えるのだろうか。 唯一無二の存在です。

[@小山草平そうへい]

今のドラマーは手数、正確性を意識しすぎている気がします。ガッドの音はいい意味でズレが生じて音の一つ一つが躍動しているような気がする。だから聞いてて面白い。日本で言えば村上ポンタ秀一はガッドのノリに近い気がする。機械みたいに正確すぎる譜面なら打ち込みでいいわけですから。人間の鼓動を聴きたいわけですよ。

[@DrummerDaveL]

Absolutely mesmerizing....even today. OK now I'm going to go back and practice

[@c.e.anderson558]

Want me play it slow? Puts down a beat that has me in a fucking trance!

[@Dettol68]

I had heard so much about Steve Gadd - now I have watched this video mesmerised - what a really nice guy who is super talented......WOW

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

Another level for sure....but he's a product of the best in the world NY session scene. What else needs to be said, it's produced the very best.

[@MrRicardoMartino]

The Master of Phrasing and the "Pocket", I have been a fan since I can remember. Going back too Listening to Vinyl Stanley Clarke and Steely Dan . He is my go to teacher along with Bernard Purdie and Stewart Copeland.

[@npg68]

One of a kind drummer!

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love his work!!

[@drumdigger]

What a gem of a video! Thanks a zillion for sharing!

[@garyasselin5289]

...hes not really doing alot but just the way he executes rudiments around the kit,so Beautiful,so Groovy just effortless...that Samba groove is something I`ll be working on the rest of my life haha Luv his playing!

[@ChromaticHarp]

The advice about playing quiet is priceless…I’ve been on 3 gigs where the band got fired because the drummer was WAY too loud and didn’t heed the warning to play quieter 😮

[@okolekahuna3862]

The groove king.

[@dannydavisjrmusic]

This is so cool! Starting at 2:15 and then what he does starting at 3:17 is why he is Steve Gadd.

[@seabrook1976]

Steve Gadd is so good, he got Aja on only two takes. Fagan said he was stunned.

[@stretch54]

The first one was really just a run through- not really a take. He got the drum track the first time the red light went on.

[@kz1000ps]

@@sticktrik And that speeding up is wondrous... with that fadeout, it sounds like the song is speeding away to whatever dystopia Fagen and Becker have imagined next.

[@stretch54]

@@sticktrik - he didn't speed up. Tap your foot through it if you need to but he didn't speed up.

[@kz1000ps]

@Brad I know that. But the fact of the matter is that no tracks on Aja were recorded to a click and there is movement of tempos within each song. Aja in particular, the calmer parts sit around 116 bpm, but during the first Gadd/Shorter solo the tempo edges up to 122 bpm and for the last one the tempo sits around 128... so that's a movement of 12+ bpm over the course of the song. I'm a drummer who practices to a click every day of my life, and I have no problem with this... you can call it rushing or just the natural movement of tempo over the course of a 8 minute song, but in this case the tempo sure does move around a LOT and you COULD call it rushing. Oh and Gadd is my favorite drummer, bar none

[@goesjem]

@@kz1000ps I call it feel.

[@steveflour6409]

What a humble genius

[@RonCarterBassist]

Great throwback 👍🏾

[@dominic8129]

The Mozambique groove is so contagious!!

[@hawkrider88]

Man, there is so much great information here. Thanks for posting, Steve is really one-of-a-kind.

[@Sms8668]

Yep, Zildjian gives him anything he wants but they designed Signature Custom K’s for him that he loves. His favorite Heads are Coated Remo Powerstroke 3 on the snare with Remo Diplomat on the bottom. Toms 10,12, 14,16 ....Clear Pinstripe Ambassadors and Diplomats on Bottom.

[@pranavquackerson831]

so much energy

[@terranceslater9967]

dear steve. i love your kit ; your a blessing ; im your fan; terry

[@davidnorman4923]

incredible feel and groove!

[@erikondrums]

Magic! What a legendary man!

[@momentmusic4048]

This is GOLD!

[@speedoflite1]

one of the coolest, most orig triplet fills/linear 32nd note lick drummers around.

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Think he innovated that

[@LysgaardLightning]

thank you so much for this. gold

[@jroark101]

I love how he takes a concept and stretches across so many different awesome applications.

[@maxmoormann7385]

Thank you, Steve

[@DarkMetalJazzPunk]

this video is a treasure!!

[@hifijohn]

in gadd we trust!

[@canturgan]

He still has that drum corps feel. Military precision.

[@cameron_fairchild]

yes!!! you hear the rudiments.

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Rudiments are everything!

[@moffatbanda6001]

steve is indeed a top notch drum kit player n deserves global respect

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

On '50 Ways To Leave Your Lover', Paul Simon, brilliant.

[@neilmuronsky1938]

incredible human being..never mind musician. just wow.

[@Jellybeantiger]

He gives cowbells huge self esteem.

[@stephenfiore9960]

approximately at 10:00

[@ryanplays]

absolutely fantastic

[@papapoodo6685]

I got Steve high that night and was SO worried that he might fuck it up, but he pulled it out alright. I was shitting bricks though! Those were crazy days....

[@cahookie901]

+Papapoo Do sure ya did

[@papapoodo6685]

Why would i care if you believe me? Go practice kid....

[@cahookie901]

Sigh

[@papapoodo6685]

Suck

[@kz1000ps]

+Papapoo I thought Gadd was completely clean by '87 or so? Well I guess a little weed can't hurt ;)

[@dasglasperlenspiel10]

So very much the real thing!!

[@ChristianFuchsBlues]

Great stuff, thanks for uploading!

[@rajamathews1551]

Outstanding solo.

[@alexbatera5051]

Gênio !!! é o cara tocando inconfundível não e somente o que ele toca é ele tocando

[@CasperPaludan]

Incredible....love it....

[@elwoodwhite9734]

Still till this day Steve's a beast it was like yesterday when he excited the world of drumming to heights that haven't been seen or heard off in decades truly a master and so very cool and smooth with it being scare before he plays his solution is to just play it soft cool and laid back relax my friend relax and let it flow

[@taikoking1]

It almost like he is playing a song in his head.

[@arneberg9072]

He does ---

[@TomDichter]

He's using here the Yamaha Tour series in this master class - it's the birch and mahogany wood construction. The toms sound so amazing when he does the mozambik - such a lovely fat sound - beefy!! :-)

[@ksjdhg]

They were great drums. I had a set of white ones, one of my first kits. I'm so bummed I sold mine so long ago to "upgrade" to Maple Customs. I didn't know what I had. I've been looking for that sound ever since.

[@TomDichter]

well, the only good thing, is that those tour customs are being sold for pretty cheap on eBay, so you can get them back if you want :-) I was able to build a pretty nice black tour series set - all was from looking at eBay and finding good deals...

[@ksjdhg]

I hope to be in a position to buy a kit when one comes up some day. Some time ago I did find a kit that is similar (Yamaha Power V mahogany shell) and bought that for a song ... :)

[@Marreroortiz]

Tomer Dichterman Those toms sound like shit

[@garyasselin5289]

I got my Yamaha Stage Custom`s March of 2000-Philippine Mahogany sandwiched between Birch!!!(and this is an "introductory" level kit)1000 bucks I maxed out my Visa I got that day hahaa

[@MrAlpierce]

a unique Drummer and Musician he is!!!

[@slotrane8853]

To the average person this doesn’t look like much but trust me, what he’s doing is incredible. That groove. Only Gadd

[@cpa54]

Steve is so cool and so down-to-earth.