Talk To the Drummer

Minions,

Recently a friend asked me to provide a list of who I thought were the greatest drummers of all time…….wuh huh?! What an impossible undertaking! Who’s even qualified to make such a list, and how objective could it really be? But it did get me thinking…There are several artists your average music lover has never heard of, and they tend to be the ones, in my arrogantly humble opinion, that should be considered among the greatest musicians.

So, with the understanding that this would be MY list, I decided to give it a go – with a slight adjustment: Here are 10 of my favorite jazz & fusion drummers.
(See what I just did there?)

Perhaps still a bit subjective, yes - but safer!

Please to enhoy –

Philly Joe Jones - One of the first pure bebop drummers. Performed with all the jazz greats in the 50's & 60's. Aggressive swing style, with a melodic, musical approach; often imitated. Favorite recording: Two base hit from the album Milestones (Miles Davis)

Art Blakey - Like Jones, one of the original, important bebop drummers. Incorporated afro-cuban rhythms in his drumming style. Was also crucial as a band leader, building and nurturing younger musicians. Favorite recording: It's only a paper moon from the album The Big Beat (The Jazz Messengers)

Max Roach - Another bebop drummer with musical sensibilities integrated in his drumming. Beautiful brushwork, and simple, tasteful swing style. Also key in nurturing young artists, and fronting his own band. Favorite recording: If I Love Again from the album Study in Brown (Clifford Brown)

Billy Cobham - Brilliant post-bebop drummer, and one of the first to fuse jazz stylings with rock. Also a master clinician, with technically amazing drumming skills. Favorite recording: Arroyo from the album Observations & Reflections
(Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie)

Tony Williams - An amazing hard-bop drummer, performed with Miles Davis in the 60's. Like Cobham, began to fuse jazz with other musical styles. A true pioneer in early fusion, has inspired many of the current, great fusion drummers. Favorite recording: Proto-Cosmos from the album Believe It

Steve Gadd - The guru. Began a "percussion renaissance"; was the catalyst for drummers to begin receiving credibility as true musicians. Favorite recording: Fawlty Tenors from the album Steps: Smokin in the Pit

Vinnie Colauita - Arguably the most versatile, best all-around drummer. My favorite of all drummers. Mind-blowing technique. Could go on and on. Favorite recording: Goe from the album Live at the Baked Potato (with Greg Mathison, Abe Laboriel, Michael Landau)

Dave Weckl - Tremendously versatile, master drummer. Began recording in the 80's for everyone, eventually forming his own jazz/fusion band. Highly regarded in the music world. Favorite recording: Step It from the album Step It (Bill Connors)

Steve Smith - Berklee trained, would go on to play with Journey for several years, and eventually lead his own fusion group, Vital Information. Well versed in all musical styles; a true artist of world music. Favorite recording: Night Dive from the album Easier Done Than Said (Vital Information)

Simon Phillips - In demand British session drummer, worked for a wide variety of artists and eventually developing into a highly respected fusion artist. Has worn many hats: bandleader, songwriter, drum clinician. Favorite recording: Another Lifetime from the album Another Lifetime