Come Study with me at the Mount Royal Conservatory!

Hey! I am now officially part of the percussion faculty at the Mount Royal University Conservatory in Calgary, Alberta and currently accepting drum set students of all ages and levels of experience. 

Contact the Conservatory or myself directly and let's get to work!

https://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/TheConservatory/

Jason Tiemann on Drums

Jason Tiemann is a killing New York City based jazz drummer and he's been compiling and sharing these excellent instructional videos on his YouTube page.

These are all very useful concepts and patterns to work through. What I really appreciate is that, in addition to being well explained and articulated, these come straight from the source and they are demonstrated by a great drummer who is the real deal, someone who's done his homework and regulary plays with a great informed sound, feel and a deep sense of swing with many of the world's greatest jazz musicians.

Check these out.

Max Roach Norway 1977

I'm still on cloud 9 these days, following my Max Roach tribute concert a few weekends ago at Congress Coffee. Thanks to everyone who came out.

Studying and researching the music for this epic gig lead me to this incredible Max Roach concert recorded in Norway circa. 1977 featuring Cecil Bridgewater (trpt), Billy Harper (tenor saxophone) and Reggie Workman (bass).

In particular, check out the free-wheeling 20 minute version of "It's Time!":

I would also like to draw your attention to a portion of the interview at the very end of this footage. 

Specifically, listen to Roach's very eloquent, articulate and inspiring answer that he gives to the interviewer when asked to describe "the history of Jazz music":

As Sonny Rollins said so profoundly in the recent Max Roach documentary The Drum Also Waltzes, "Max was Heaven" and I think these videos illustrate this perfectly.

Jazz Drumming Workshop + Trio Performance

Jazz Drumming Workshop and Performance

Saturday, November 2nd

Cornerstone Music Cafe
14919 Deer Ridge Drive SE

Jazz Drumming Workshop   3pm   $25

Trio Performance   6pm   $30

featuring:

Jon McCaslin - Drums
Aaron Shorr - Guitar
Jeff Gammon - Bass

*Attend both events for $45*

www.cornerstonemusic.ca

Art Blakey 1974

Thanks to the Jazz Estate for sharing this rocking footage of Art Blakey, performing with Benny Golson in France circa. 1974:

 

(for some reason the camera footage is sometimes reversed so it looks like Bu is a southpaw, but that's obviously not the case!)

And from 1985 here's a brief portion of a conversation between Ben Sidran and Art Blakey:

The Monday Morning Paradiddle - October 2024

Thanks for stopping by today and here's the October 2024 edition of the The Monday Morning Paradiddle, your one-stop on-line jazz drumming variety column.

But first, just a couple of brief advertisements:

I am reluctant to advertise these on Facebook these days due to all the ridiculous fake profile t-shirt scams going around (!) but rest assured that these are indeed legit and I still have a handful of the classic black Four on the Floor black t-shirts left in stock if anyone is interested.

But once they are gone, they are GONE and it will very likely be a very long time before I have any more printed (if at all...) so don't miss out and get yours today!

These shirts are still available in small, medium, large and xxl sizes (sorry folks, all the xl sizes are gone!) and are lightweight premium fitted 100% cotton tees. I am also told that they are very comfortable : )

The shirts are $30 each (+shipping)

If you are interested in purchasing one, please drop me a line at fouronthefloorblog@gmail.com or reach me through social media and I'll set you up asap.

It's Time! 

Hey, if you happen to find yourself in Calgary, Alberta this coming week, don't miss my upcoming tribute to Max Roach happening on Saturday, October 12th at Congress Coffee www.congresscoffeeyyc.com

I will be performing a mix of solo drum set repertoire made famous by Max Roach. I'll also be performing several of Max's iconic compositions and music associated with him from over the course of his career with Chris Tauchner on keyboards and the percussive force that is Raul Tabera on percussion.

I'm really looking forward to this one and make sure to reserve your seat in advance as seating is limited.

The Monday Morning Paradiddle - October 2024

1. Fantastic columns and commentary from Vinnie Sperrazza's Substack Chronicles including:

Kenny Clarke and Miles Davis

The Big Tent: Richard Davis and Roy Haynes

and

Back to School - on rudiments, George Lawrence Stone and Charles Wilcoxon

2.  A Sunday interview with Berlin's Michael Griener from The Free Jazz Collective

3. Max Roach teaches The Count a thing or two about counting on Sesame Street:

 

4. And (if you need more than one...) here's Ten Reasons to Love Max Roach from the Drum Candy podcast:

 

5. Adam Nussbaum featured on The Hang podcast with, as always, many words of wisdom:

 

6. Billy Drummond and Adam Nussbaum featured on Drummer Nation:

 

7. Peter Erskine interviewed for the Jazziz magazine podcast:

 

....and some fantastic creative duets recorded with Kim Richmond:

 

8. Carl Allen with Christian McBride's band Inside Straight from the Detroit Jazz Festival:

 

9. Allison Miller plays on Thelonious Monk's "Green Chimneys" at the Women Who Drum festival:

 

10. A pair of great bebop drumming lessons from Jason Tiemann:

 

11. The inimitable Trilok Gurtu with a brilliant opening solo:

 

12. Jerome Jennings and the Lichtfield Jazz Camp present The History of Essential Jazz Drum Grooves:

 

...and Max Roach at 100: Listening Session with Jerome Jennings:

 

13. Quincy Davis continues with more instalments of his always informative Q-Tips series on YouTube:

"LET'S GOOOOOO!!!"

14. John Daversa interviews Ari Hoenig:

15. Brilliant brush work from Joe Farnsworth:

 

16. Christian McBride interviews Louis Hayes:

17. Classic Joe Morello with Dave Brubeck on "Blues for Joe":

18. Some more inspiring Max Roach from a concert in Norway circa. 1987:

 

19. What am I listening to these days?'

Pheeroan Aklaff "Drumset Variations" - Pheeroan Aklaff (drums)

Don Cherry "El Corazon" - Ed Blackwell (drums)

Max Roach "Drums Unlimited" - Max Roach (drums)

Chick Corea Trio "Trilogy" - Brian Blade (drums)

Milford Graves "Grand Unification" - Milford Graves (drums)

Neil Swainson "49th Parallel" - Jerry Fuller (drums)

Jim Hall "Live!" - Terry Clarke (drums)

Oscar Peterson "Night Train" - Ed Thigpen (drums)

20. And today's Final Word goes to Rick Rubin via Rick Beato:

(take the time to watch this...)