The Drummer as Composer Part Four: Influential Recordings

(Lead Sheet above: "Hey It's Me You're Talking To" - by Victor Lewis)

For today's instalment of "The Drummer as Composer" I decided to conduct an informal poll from various musicians and friends I know and ask them to list their favourite recordings led by drummers. 

The focus was originally on drummers who were also composers/arrangers but since so many drummers have such an impact on the music at large by the way they (the good ones anyways!), really anything goes.

As an aspiring drummer/composer/arranger myself, I'm always looking for inspiration and new ideas. You'll see some really albums listed below to check out...

Thank you to all the people who kindly took time to answer my poll.


- Jesse Cahill (Vancouver Jazz Drummer) www.jessecahill.com

Tony Reedus - “The Far Side”
Reedus was so great, underrated by guys of our generation (and younger) that’s for sure.  When I first started listening to him back in the late 1980’s early 1990’s I remember being into the power and energy he created.  As I’ve matured  as a musician (whatever that means) I’ve come to appreciate the greasiness of his beat!   Mulgrew Miller is on this one too, makes me a bit sad to listen to it now..
Victor Lewis “Know it Today Know it Tomorrow"

What can I tell you?  This is such a classic recording.  Victor has such a great approach to the drums.  To my ears he has a perfect balance between the past and the present.  Seamus of course is instantly recognizable and always cookin! Oh and then there’s Dr Eddie, Christian McBride, and Ed Simon.  I guess they’re pretty good too!

Art Blakey Quintet - “A Night at Birdland Volumes 1 & 2”
This is it. If I had to pick a recording that defined the spirit of great music for me this would be at the top of my list.

Mel Lewis/Thad Jones - “Monday Night”
The first time I heard a recording of this band I almost lost my mind!  I only got my hands on this one recently but it has quickly become my favourite. 

Max Roach - “Max Roach +4”
Whenever I’m trying to get across the importance of the clarity of one’s idea in improvisation I find myself referencing Max Roach.  His intro to Minor Trouble on this record is as clear as it gets!


- Eric Platz (Professo Jazz Drums, Brandon University)

Paul Motian - "Lost In A Dream" (2010) w/ Chris Potter and Jason Moran
Recorded at the Vanguard, I think live recordings capture PM's sound and energy so well. The recording quality and sound is amazing, as are the tunes. I particularly like this combination of musicians. Jason Moran and Chris Potter are both favorites of mine, and the music that results in the live setting is great. I routinely listen through to this record start to finish.

Jeff "Tain" Watts - "Citizen Tain" (1999)
Hearing Tain play with Wynton, Branford, Kenny Kirkland (one of my faves) and Eric Revis and Reggie Veal on bass is always awesome for me. I love that swing feel and energy. The tunes are this record are very cool. Wynton's solo on the first track (The Impaler) is incredible.

Roy Haynes - "We Three" (1958)
Roy's first recording as a leader, I believe. Roy is probably my favorite drummer of all time. I love the drum and cymbal sounds on this record (especially the crash), and the swing with Phineas Newborn and Paul Chambers is incredible. Roy's solos, 4s and 8s on this record blow my mind. I don't understand how someone can think that way,

Bill Stewart - "Snide Remarks" (1995)
Another one of my favorite drummers. Funny, quirky tunes ("7.5") and great drum sounds. Another reason I like this record so much is because of pianist Bill Carrothers (who is really under-recorded). I always have a soft spot for Lovano as well. 

Bob Moses - "Nishoma" (2001)

Bob was my teacher for many years, and I love that guy. I was spending a fair amount of time with him when he was making this record, and putting everything together. We would often play tunes on this record duo (Bob on piano, me on drums). I think Bob has one of the more unique and beautiful sounds and groove feel. He's a special person, and I think this recording captures a lot of his loving spirit. 


- Gordon Fick (Radio Host of "Lift the Bandstand", CJSW)

Max Roach Trio - "With The Legendary Hasaan"
Chico Hamilton - "Live At Strollers"
Shelly Manne - "At The Blackhawk"
Peter Erskine - "Transition"
Bobby Previte - "Empty Suits"
Tony Williams - "Emergency'
Tony Oxley - "The Baptized Traveller"
Masahiko Togashi - "Bura Bura"
Fritz Hauser - "Zwei"


- Mike Downes (Juno Award-Winning Bassist, Humber College)

Brian Blade Fellowship - "Perceptual" and "Season of Changes"
Musical playing, great band, excellent writing.

Art Blakey - "Caravan"
His band in great form plus killer arrangements.

Peter Erskine w/John Taylor and Palle Danielson - "Time Being" 
Love this trio and the open feel. 


- Rob Vanstone (Sports Editor, Regina Leader Post)

Shelly Manne - The four "Blackhawk" sessions could devour five spots in the list: 2, 1, 4, 3 in that order. 

As for the fifth, go with Ed Thigpen's "Mr. Taste"!


- Nick Fraser (Toronto Jazz Drummer)

Paul Motian - "Trioism" 
Simply my favourite Paul Motian Trio record. Great compositions played by the band at the height of their work together. I could honestly list 5 Paul Motian records as my top 5, though. :-)

Art Blakey - "The Big Beat"
This was the first Art Blakey album I ever bought and it is extremely swinging. Lots of great medium tempos. It's my favourite recording of my favourite edition of the Messenger band (w/ Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt)

Tony Oxley - "Quartet"
Amazing electro-acoustic free improvisation from a supremely creative musical architect. With Derek Bailey, Matt Wand, and Pat Thomas.

Jo Jones Trio (on Everest)
Jo Jones has it all. On this record, the drums are absolutely CRANKED in the mix and you can hear all of the detail of Papa Jo's brush playing. He plays pretty well with sticks, too. And his hands.

Gerry Hemingway Quintet - "Special Detail"
This is a great document of a slightly different version of Gerry's regular 80s-90s quintet. It was the first one of his records that I heard, which is possibly why it's still my favourite. (with Don Byron, Ed Schuller, Wolter Wierbos and Ernst Riesiger)

Honourable Mentions:

Michel Ratte - "Passages et Derives" (Can-con!)
Jean Martin Trio - "Get Together Weather" (more Can-con!)
Tony Williams - "Spring"
Tony Williams Lifetime - "Emergency"
Philly Joe Jones - "Showcase"
Gerry Hemingway - "Acoustic Solo Works"
Paul Motian - "On Broadway Vol. 2"
Billy Hart - "Enchance"
Tom Rainey Trio - "Pool School". I haven't heard the new quintet one called "Obligato" yet, but I heard the band live and it was AMAZING.
Peter Erskine - "You Never Know"
Mel Lewis - my real favourite Mel is "Joe Williams meets the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra", but I don't know if that fits your criteria of "drummer-led", so there's also "The Lost Art", an 80s sextet session under Mel's name.
Max Roach - similarly, my favourite Max is the Clifford Brown stuff. "At Basin Street", probably? Hard to pick just one... Also, "Freedom Now Suite" and "Deeds, not Words".
Elvin Jones - Puttin' it Together. Also, I have a sentimental attachment to "In Europe", as it's the version of the Jazz Machine band that I saw when I met Elvin in 1991. 


- Peter Hum (Jazz Critic, Ottawa Citizen) www.jazzblog.ca

Art Blakey - "Free For All"
For the crazy intensity of the title track and whole album, and the joie de vivre of Pensativa

Brian Blade Fellowship - "Perceptual"

For the great tunes, band feeling and vibe. This music really connects.

Billy Hart - "Oshumare"

Great tunes and arrangements, a distinctive vision. I love Billy Hart’s Latin/straight-eighths playing, and his overall mix of taste and audacity.

Elvin Jones -  "Earth Jones"
Maybe not the best Elvin CD, but … Kenny Kirkland! Lieb! Terumasa Hino! But that slow Elvin on the title track is nasty/great.

Jack DeJohnette - "Special Edition"
Again, great tunes, band feeling and vibe.


- Morgan Childs (Toronto Jazz Drummer)

Jeff "Tain" Watts - "Citizen Tain"
Max Roach/Clifford Brown - "Study in Brown"
Clifford Brown and Max Roach - "At Basin Street"
Art Blakey - "Roots and Herbs"
Art Blakey - "Caravan"
The Band - "The Band"


- Craig Brenan (Professor Jazz Trombone, Grant MacEwan University)

Marvin "Smitty" Smith  - "Keeper of the Drums"
The first album is so awesome - great writing, fantastic drumming, ok the solos could be better but this is the beginning of M-Base and all the players on it have gone on to monster careers with their own sounds and concepts.

Tony Williams - "The Story of Neptune"
Great band and great charts, sensitive yet powerful - Blackbird still a favourite

Art Blakey - "Caravan" - 
Not a lot of drum solos, or any writing, but the drumming is incessant, non stop, unrelenting and swinging. A big album for me

Louis Bellson - "Thunderbird"
I bought this for Carl Fontana who blows on every track but it wouldn't feel as good with out Bellson cranking it up every tune. Each tune gets faster and great blowing.

Mel Lewis Thad Jones - "Live at the Village Vanguard featuring the music of Bob Brookmeyer"
I guess these are more like trombone CDs but this live album captures the sound of the Vanguard, the band and a great big band drummer. Great tunes, Bob Brookmeyers return to NYC.


- Paul Read (Canadian Pianist, Saxophonist, Composer/Arranger and Jazz Education Icon)

Elvin Jones Quartet - "Live at the Lighthouse" 
I know he didn’t write for the album, but this is a desert island recording for me.

Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra - "The Music of Bob Brookmeyer"  
This is too good to ignore.

Matt Wilson - "An Attitude for Gratitude"
Total groove and musical wholesomeness.

Mel Lewis Sextet - "The Lost Art" 
Great writing and playing. Mel didn’t write but he did everything else.

Terri Lyne Carrington - "Money Jungle" 
Beautiful playing, production and compositions.

John Hollenbeck - “Eternal Interlude”
It’s weird, but I dig it!


- Tom Van Seters (Professor, Grant MacEwan University)

Peter Erskine - "You Never Know"


- Ted Warren (Toronto Jazz Drummer)

Tony Williams - "Spring"
Jack DeJohnette - "New Directions In Europe" 
Elvin Jones - "Earth Jones" 
Paul Motian - "Time and Time Again"
Art  Blakey - "The Big Beat"