Bill Stewart - Evidence

Some fantastic footage of Bill Stewart playing Thelonious Monk's "Evidence" with guitarist Gilad Hekselman:

Philly Joe Jones!

Thanks to Billy Drummond who recently shared these very brief but amazing clips of Philly Joe Jones in action via Instagram:

For Sale: 22" K Custom High Definition Ride

I've been thinning out my cymbal collection lately and have this really nice ride cymbal for sale.

For Sale:

22" Zildjian K Custom High Definition Ride

$499 

Buyer pays shipping, duty, etc. 

Recording available upon request. 

Send me a message to fouronthefloorblog@gmail.com with any questions.

Redesigned by Terri Lyne Carrington for 2008, the 22" K Custom High Definition Ride is thinner than the original model for greater "crashability" and feel while riding.

• The result of collaboration with Terri Lyne Carrington
• Redesigned in 2008 for improved feel and response
• Thinner than the original High Definition
• Offers great "crashability"
• Superb feel while riding

The Monday Morning Paradiddle - September 2026

And...we're back.

Well, it's certainly been a minute or two since there's been any significant blogging activity going on around these parts but I'm finally back in the saddle following a very busy stretch over the Summer months including jazz festival dates and tours with bassist Kristin Korb, vibraphonist Jason Marsalis and alto saxophonist PJ Perry, a well-needed and productive artist retreat on Vancouver Island and then finally a wonderful and extensive family holiday in Ireland. And now I'm well into September and back into the Fall routine with regular teaching and gigs starting up again. I spent last week in the studio finishing my new album and I'm looking forward to many exciting musical projects in the months ahead. Stay tuned!

Anyways, someone asked me the other day if this blog was even still happening or not (!) Yep, I'm still here but it's just been too busy over the last while to keep things consistent from behind the keyboard. Sometimes an extended break is a good thing but I'm confident that regular, weekly blogging will now resume. There is just too much good stuff to share with everyone. Thank you for all your support.

Anyhow, it's been a long time since I've written one of these columns but here's the September 2026 edition of the Monday Morning Paradiddle, my once-in-a-blue-moon curated jazz drumming variety column. Please enjoy.

The Monday Morning Paradiddle - September 2026

1. Vinnie Sperrazza continues with his exceptional Substack series Chronicles including his regular and evolving A History of Jazz Drumming series. 

Check out his first three chapters here:

Chapter One 

Chapter Two 

Chapter Three

2. On the heels of his latest solo drum release Drum Stories, check out Ted Warren's adventurous live solo set: 

 

3.  And another exciting solo set from Denmark's Kreston Osgood:

4. Brian Pace and The Pace Report presents "A Time for Tain" featuring Jeff "Tain" Watts:

 

5. A handful of clips featuring the great Joe Farnsworth in action:

6. Samo Salamon and Trevor Lawrence Jr. interview Gregory Hutchinson:

 

7. And thank you to Dr. Jazz Samo Salamon for offering these incredible drum solo excerpts featuring the great Lewis Nash... 

 

Gregory Hutchinson

 

Marieke Wiening

Dan Weiss

 

...and Brian Blade! 

 

8. Tam Tam Percussion presents a drum clinic with the inventive Mark Guiliana:

9. Jason Marsalis interviewed by the Rhythm Section Life podcast:

10. Some rare audio of the Philly Joe Jones Quartet recorded in France circa. 1977:

11. The Billy Hart Quartet on Tolli's Dance:

12. And finally thank you to Tim Roberts and Reverie Cymbals for sharing this inspiring drum clinic featuring the great Mike Clark! 

 

What am I listening to these days?

John Coltrane "A Love Supreme" - Elvin Jones (drums)

John Coltrane "The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings" - Elvin Jones (drums)

Art Taylor "A.T.'s Delight" - Art Taylor (drums)

Nicole Glover "Literature" - Nic Cacioppo (drums)

Joe Lovano Us Five "Birdsongs" - Otis Brown III, Francisco Mela (drums)

Abraham Adzenyah & Anthony Braxton "Duo: Wesleyan 1994" - Abraham Adzenyah (percussion)

Mamady Keita & Kunda Drame "Africa - Tribal Drums & Rhythms" - Mamady Keita, Kunda Drame (djembe)

Gary Smulyan "Hidden Treasures" - Billy Drummond (drums)

Matt Wilson Quartet "Humidity" - Matt Wilson (drums)

Barry Elmes Quintet "Night Flight" - Barry Elmes (drums)

Duke Ellington "Such Sweet Thunder" - Sam Woodyard (drums)

The Final Word

And today's Final Word goes to Brian Blade:

“The most honest playing happens when you stop trying to prove anything.”

- Brian Blade

Quincy Davis - Mastering the Swing Feel

Well, blogging has been more than a bit lite over here at Four on the Floor lately, over the past few months. Things have just been really busy these days with numerous projects on the go and I've already been on the road for a good portion of the Summer. 

Anyways, all is good around here however this will also likely be the last blog post for the Summer and I'll resume things and try to get back into a proper regular blog groove again once the Fall hits. I've still got plenty of interesting things to share with the world. 

Thank you for your continued support!

In the meantime check out Quincy Davis' latest on-line instructional series Mastering the Swing Feel.

Sign up for this excellent resource here and check out the trailer for his new course here:

https://qsdigitaldownloads.sellfy.store/p/jazz-drumming-course-mastering-the-swing-feel/

I've been a big fan Quincy's teaching and YouTube series for a long time and I usually make a point of sharing his wonderful video tips here on my blog.

Quincy was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about his latest endeavour:

Quincy Davis: Mastering the Swing Feel 

1) Tell us all about your new instructional series! What is it all about and what are the goals of your course?

I'm really excited about this project because it's something I've wanted to create for a long time. It's called Mastering the Swing Feel on the Drum Set, and it's entirely focused on what I believe is the most important and, at the same time, one of the most challenging aspects of jazz drumming: developing an authentic swing feel.

There are countless jazz drum lessons online, including plenty on my own YouTube channel, but those lessons are naturally limited by time. I wanted to create something much more comprehensive. A place where we could slow down, connect all the dots, and really take a deep dive into what makes this music feel the way it does.

So instead of jumping straight into ride patterns or comping ideas, we actually begin with the origins of swing. We explore how swing evolved, how the drummer's role changed over time, and then build everything progressively, from the feet, to the ride cymbal, to developing an internal pulse, comping, brushes, learning tunes, and ultimately playing with a live bass player.
My goal wasn't simply to give drummers more exercises. It was to give them a deeper understanding of the music itself.

By the end of the course, I hope drummers have a much better understanding of the evolution of swing, a stronger and more authentic swing feel, and greater confidence expressing that feel through comping, brushes, and playing tunes.

2) What was the motivation and inspiration for putting together this method?

The response to my YouTube videos really opened my eyes. A lot of drummers were looking for something deeper than a ten minute lesson. They wanted one place they could go instead of trying to piece together ideas from hundreds of individual YouTube videos. They wanted more context, more history, and a better understanding of why this music feels the way it does. That inspired me to create a course where all of those concepts are connected and build on one another.

I also grew up wearing out VHS instructional videos by drummers like Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl, Ed Thigpen, Herlin Riley, and even Elvin Jones' Different Drummer. I watched those videos over and over, and they had a tremendous impact on my own development. I wanted to create something that could have that same kind of lasting impact on today's drummers.

This course is really the culmination of many years of studying, listening, performing, and teaching jazz. It's also a reflection of the countless conversations I've had with drummers through my YouTube channel, at the university, in masterclasses, and through my online community, Q/MUNITY.

I hope it not only improves drummers' swing feel, but also deepens their appreciation for this incredible music.

3) How does your course differ from other jazz drumming courses currently online? What makes it unique?

I think one of the biggest differences is that we don't just talk about what swing is. We spend a lot of time exploring the nuances that actually create a great swing feel and the different approaches drummers can take to developing it.

Another thing that's pretty unique is the historical perspective. Most drummers know how to play a ride pattern, but very few really understand how swing evolved or why we play the way we do today. I think understanding that evolution gives you a much deeper appreciation for the music and ultimately helps you make better musical decisions behind the drums.

Toward the end of the course, I also bring in a live bass player so we can explore one of the most important relationships in jazz: the connection between the drummer and bassist.

Every drummer also receives my new Ultimate Practice Guide as part of the course. While it's certainly valuable for drummers, it's really written for musicians in general, and I think it'll help anyone practice more efficiently and get more out of their time in the practice room.

4) How do you recommend drummers and teachers approach working through your materials?

I'd recommend working through the course in order and at your own pace.

While I do plan on making each module available individually, I designed the complete course as one progressive learning experience. Each lesson builds on the previous one, so you'll get the most out of it by following that sequence.

That's one of the biggest differences between this course and my YouTube channel. My YouTube videos are designed to stand on their own, but I wanted this course to be a one stop resource where drummers could learn everything in one place instead of having to search through hundreds of separate videos and figure out how all the concepts fit together.

There's no rush. Pause the lessons, spend time at the drums, revisit sections whenever you need to, and really let the concepts become part of your playing.

5) What are some of the challenges of putting together an online instructional course and series? What advice do you have for anybody potentially interested in creating and producing their own?

The biggest piece of advice I'd give is to create the curriculum first. Spend a lot of time organizing exactly what you want to teach and in what order. Be as detailed as possible because, while things will naturally evolve a little once you start filming, having a solid roadmap makes the entire process much smoother.
I'd also recommend hiring professionals for the things that aren't your specialty. A great audio engineer and a great videographer make a huge difference in the final product, and they allow you to focus on teaching instead of worrying about the technical side.

Another thing I wasn't fully prepared for was just how mentally exhausting it is. You're standing in front of cameras talking for hours with no feedback from anyone. Your voice gets tired, your brain gets tired, and it takes a lot of concentration to stay clear, organized, and engaging.
I filmed everything over two days, and for me that was about right. I definitely wouldn't recommend trying to film an entire course in one day.

Finally, make sure it's a topic you know inside and out. You should feel completely comfortable not only demonstrating the material but also explaining it from different angles. That's what separates a collection of lessons from a truly great course.

6) Tell us about your other current activities as a drummer and teacher.

I'm currently Professor of Drum Set at the University of North Texas, where I teach applied drum set lessons, jazz chamber music, and serve as Chair of the Drum Set Department.

Outside of the university, I stay active performing, presenting clinics and masterclasses, and creating educational content through my YouTube channel, where I've been fortunate to connect with drummers from all over the world. Many of those drummers have also become members of my online drumming community, Q/MUNITY, where we continue learning together through live sessions, discussions, and exclusive educational content.

I feel really fortunate that performing, teaching, and creating educational resources all feed into one another. Everything I learn on the bandstand influences how I teach, and the conversations I have with drummers, whether they're at UNT, on YouTube, or in Q/MUNITY, continually challenge me to think more deeply about my own playing. I think that's what keeps both parts of my career exciting.