Tony Williams Drum Clinic 1987

And…we're back.

These two clips of Tony Williams from a 1987 drum workshop in Austria have been making the rounds this summer. What an incredible opportunity to see a Master up close like this.

In the first footage we see Mr. Williams "warming up":



Notice the extensive use of single strokes, doubles and various paradiddles, switching effortlessly and executed at a very high dynamic level and stick height. A "warm up" indeed!

And here's the following drum solo performed for his class:



I saw Tony perform a very similar type of clinic like this in San Antonio at an IAJE conference in 1993. This video, I think, is a great demonstration of Tony Williams' style during the 80s and 90s. Interestingly enough, drummer/vibraphonist Jason Marsalis also attended that same clinic and, while we were playing some gigs together last year, it was interesting for the two of us to compare notes on what we remembered and took away from the experience.

Somebody also sent me an audio recording of this clinic and once I have the opportunity to listen to that I'll provide the highlights later.

*Edit* Thanks to Camil Belisle, here's the audio recording I mentioned!