Departments
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Out Now June 2026
Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in the…
Tower of Power’s “The Skunk, The Goose and The Fly,” from East Bay Grease. Drummer, David Garibaldi
This month, we travel back to 1970—the explosive dawn of funk music. At the time, James Brown ruled the genre, building its very foundation alongside legendary drummers Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks. Concurrently, Sly and the Family Stone were riding…
YAMAHA YOUNG PERFORMING ARTISTS COMPETITION, MID ATLANTIC DRUM CAMP SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST WINNERS
Yamaha Honors Two University of North Texas Students in its 37th Annual Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition Elijah Marrewa and Alex Parker, students at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX, are among the thirteen winners of the 2026…
Music Minus One
The running cliche amongst my peers these days is, “Don’t fall down.” We’re all desperate to remain injury-free. Stories shared are more often about non-slip hotel bathroom shower stalls than musical conquests (romantic conquests went the way of the sideman…
A Late Bloomer Gets Her Tama Dream Kit
This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Tracy Urvater. Tracy found her drumming passion at the age of 51 and that passion still drives her nine years later. She is taking lessons, practices a minimum of 20…
It ALL Comes Back Around
The fact that the first names that Lamb of God drummer Art Cruz mentioned, when I asked him about his drumming influences, were Michael Shrieve, David Garibaldi, Dave Lombardo, Chris Adler, and Poncho Sanchez, made me smile. These are not…
Payton Taylor’s Zara Larsson Touring Kit
Drums: Pearl Reference One: 16×22 Bass Drum, 7×10 Rack Tom, 8×12 Rack Tom, 16×16 Floor Tom. Snares: 5×14 Pearl Sensitone Black Nickel over Brass (Main Snare,) 8×14 Professional Maple (Deep Snare,) 3×13 Maple Piccolo Snare. Cymbals: Zildjian (from stage left to stage right): 20” K…
James Edward Gadson, June 17, 1939- April 2, 2026
Born on June 17, 1939, drummer, producer, singer, and songwriter James Gadson grew up in the Kansas City music scene. He was greatly influenced by his father Harold, who was a well-known drummer in Kansas City. James later moved to…
Out Now May 2026
Modern Drummer enjoys spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in the…
CHICAGO DRUM SHOW SCHEDULE, NEW ROLAND EL SEGUNDO HEADQUARTERS
2026 Chicago Drum Show Announces Diverse Schedule of Educational Sessions. An exciting variety of drum clinics will be featured at the upcoming Chicago Drum Show — the 35th Anniversary edition of the world’s largest and longest running independent new, vintage,…
Ichi Go, Ichi Ye
It’s been fifty-two years since I first visited Japan. Back then I was the 19-year-old drummer for Stan Kenton’s big band, long of hair while short of experience, but with no lack of enthusiasm to be here. I’m typing this…
Clean, Compact, and Consistent.
And now for something completely different… This month’s Modern Drummer Kit of The Month comes to us from Seattle, Washington’s Jon Levitt. The origin of Jon’s rig is that after he got into electronics, he realized that he was carrying…
Summer Drum Reading
Summer is here! If you are touring you will be logging many hours in busses, vans, and planes. If you are vacationing, there may be hours at the pool, lake, or beach. Maybe you are a homebody and just enjoy…
Felix Lehrmann’s Steve Hackett Touring Kit
Drums: Gretsch USA Custom in Mystic Blue Lacquer – 16 x 22 Kick, 6.5 x 8 tom, 7 x 10 tom, 7.5 x 12 tom, 14 x 14 floor tom, 16 x 16 floor tom. Snare: 6 X 14 Gretsch USA Custom Snare. Cymbals: Paiste – 14” 602 Medium Hi-hat, 22” Signature Mark 1 Ride, 18” 602 Paper thin…
