November 1983 – Volume 7 • Number 11
Articles in November 1983
Rufus "Speedy" Jones
Jazz has often been called the true American classical music, finding its most immediate roots in the blues. Although the blues sang out against physical hardship and mental depression, its simple, haunting rhythms would most always convey a jubilance and…
Rufus "Speedy" Jones
Jazz has often been called the true American classical music, finding its most immediate roots in the blues. Although the blues sang out against physical hardship and mental depression, its simple, haunting rhythms would most always convey a jubilance and…
Def Leppard's Rick Allen
Rick Allen carefully studies his hands, which are blistered already, just a few days into Def Leppard's tour with Billy Squier. "Yeah, I've often thought about it," he says, examining one especially calloused finger, "how playing the drums has totally…
Alan Schwartzberg
BB: Where and when did you first hear drums? AS: I was ten years old and on my way home from school in the Bronx. I passed a house and heard a drummer playing a Gene Krupa/Cozy Cole-like solo. I…
Drumming and Discouragement
Most of us get frustrated and discouraged at one time or another. It is difficult to keep your spirits up when there are no jobs in sight. Furthermore, it is difficult to keep practicing and rehearsing when your career is…
Sandy Nelson
For those who grew up in the '60s, Sandy Nelson needs little introduction. Those who are not familiar with him should find someone who has one or 35 of Sandy's albums and start listening! One of the few drummers to…
A Beat Study
The following musical examples comprise what I term a "beat study." It is by no means exhaustive (every possible variation), but simply presents related time feels. Bar 1 is the pattern on which all the others are based. The focus…
Joe LaBarbera — Goal Achiever
Sometimes, jazz just seems to run in the family. There are the Joneses (Hank, Thad and Elvin), Chuck and Gap Mangione, Tootie, Percy and Jimmy Heath, the Brecker Brothers, the Brubecks (Dave, Darius, Chris and Danny), and the LaBarberas—saxophonist Pat,…
Leon “Ndugu” Chancler
The great drummer, known for his work with Santana, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, and Michael Jackson, among many others, passed away on February 3. This interview originally ran in the November 1983 issue of Modern Drummer. Ndugu. The name…