Why I Listened To This Song 1000 Times - Swinging Jazz drums

[@boomerguy9935]

When I was a kid playing rock in a garage band in the 60's without any lessons at all, I discovered Buddy Rich on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. At that point, I knew I wanted to play jazz forever. Then I found a local professional jazz drummer to teach me. (Long story left for later.) This drummer introduced me to brushes which I had no intention of learning. Watching him do a solo with an acoustic trio blew my mind and I started to realize that I was a Grasshopper next to a Master. Besides the required rudiments, he taught me how to play quietly (Another long story.) and focus on playing without rushing or dragging. At the time, I considered this a nuisance, but I already realized he knew much more than I did. Within a year, I played my first jazz gig with a violinist, piano and upright bass fiddle at a volume that people could either dance to or have a conversation at a dinner table right beside me. I played this job all through the Christmas holiday while on college break. I was fortunate enough to be in the right place, at the right time, at the right age. As far as Buddy Rich goes, my taste changed and although I respect his playing, I much prefer the classic jazz drummers like Papa Jo Jones, Big Sid Catlett, Joe Morello and Jeff Hamilton. For those who like bebop, I respect the music and even saw Dizzy Gillespie in concert, but I prefer music I can tap my toes or dance to. To this day, my wife has to listen to me constantly talking about how great the brushes are on a particular song when she can barely hear them. I think there is something very magical about good brush playing. It seems the brushes are whispering in my ear with a special message or smacking me on the cheek when I need to pay attention. I could go on all day about brushes. Pretty ironic, coming from a garage band drummer who thought he knew it all in the beginning. This reminds me of the saying about the more you learn, the more you realize the less you know.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the wonderful comment and sharing your experience! I share your passion for brushes my friend. So much we can do with them in so many playing situations. I also share your preference for Jazz that makes you tap your toe. To me it truly don't mean a thing if it ain't got that Swing. 🤙

[@constantkiffer7924]

In an interview Jack DeJohnette once said that when he saw Vernel Fournier for the first time playing, in that moment he decided to become a drummer💁🏻‍♂️😉

[@jazzdrumschool]

Wow 😮 didn't know that! It sure makes sense. Thanks for sharing that and if you've got a video link with this interview, please share here. I'd love to watch. Have a swinging great day my friend 🤙

[@constantkiffer7924]

@@jazzdrumschool it was in an « Modern Drummer »- Interview if my memory serves me right..

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@darry_lavis]

Definitely agree- that’s a common question I get too. It took me a long time to realize myself that all the answers to the questions we have about feel and playing are in the records. Have to spend a lot of time with them really digging into what inspires you!

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for chiming in and sharing your experience here. Keep swinging my friend 🤙

[@JMcNultyDrums]

Great video. I'll have to check this album out. I have some of Jamal's others but not this one. I'm nearly always listening to jazz. Not only do I love it, but doing so is an essential part of internalizing the language and phrasing used throughout. My two favorite albums that come to mind are Wes Montgomery and the Wynton Kelly Trio's "Smoking at the Half Note" and The Oscar Peterson Trio's "We Get Requests."

[@jazzdrumschool]

I love We Get Requests and am listening now to Smokin' At the Half Note. Thanks for sharing your go-to albums! Swingin!!

[@randydoak6638]

This advice is so legit.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Randy thanks for the kind words and for watching! Everthing I shared comes from the heart and my personal drumming journey. I know many drummers share this same experience. If you need any help with your Jazz drumming, I hope also see you at Jazz Drum School soon: jazzdrumschool.com/ Keep swinging my friend!

[@boomerguy9935]

Yes, on singing the parts! I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, but knowing the lyrics with accents and emotions tells me exactly where I want to place the pauses, accents on the heads, crash or ride cymbals. Having the hi hats keeping up in varying volumes or even pauses also do this. Knowing the words and singing the song in my head, gives the song its heart and soul. Also, knowing which arrangement you're playing makes a world of difference in the same song; for instance, "Girl Talk" by Jack Jones or by the Thilo Wolf Big Band are very similar but very different at the same tempo. This applies to sticks as well as to brushes, but I always feel the warmth from the brushes. Other swinging songs I like are by Vince Guaraldi with Gerry Granelli playing in the Charlie Brown series, particularly, "Linus & Lucy" and "Skating". There are some KZbin videos on all of the above songs.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Great comments all around and listening suggestions. Thanks always for sharing your experience here. Have a swinging great day my friend 🤙

[@boomerguy9935]

@@jazzdrumschool Watching you listen to this song makes me smile. You are having way too much fun listening to this!

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks man! What's not to love? So swinging and tasty ❤️

[@boomerguy9935]

@@jazzdrumschool OK, I'm hooked. I've lost track of how many times I've watched this video and I'm far from being done. By the way, I've already told my wife and daughter to get me some CD's (yes, I'm that old) of Ahmad Jamal for my birthday and Christmas gifts.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Nice! 🤩

[@constantkiffer7924]

Von, thank you for sharing !👍🏻

[@jazzdrumschool]

My pleasure and thanks always for connecting 🤙