Creative Solo Applications Inspired by a Master I had the chance to study with the great Jim Chapin during the last four years of his life. (Jim passed away at ninety years of age on July 4, 2009—coincidentally, as he’s been referred to as the “Father of Independence” in the drumming world.) For four years I’d been studying intensely with Dom Famularo, who suddenly said during one of my lessons, “Steph, you’re now ready for Jim.” He picked up the phone and called Jim right away. He came, and we started our first lesson. It was moving to watch Jim having a hard time getting out of his car, yet impressive to see him sit at the practice pad and play like he was still twenty years old. From that day on, almost every month that I was on Long Island, I took lessons with him. We worked on techniques […]