Some more brief but awesome footage of Claude Ranger on drums, this time taking a brush solo with vibraphonist Peter Appleyard, Hank Jones on piano and Slam Stewart on bass, filmed for Canadian television (circa?)
I admire the fact that when it's time for Claude to solo, he just does his thing and of course he sounds great, even in a brief solo feature. He doesn't seem to be bound stylistically nor he does he seem to be inclined to mimic or play in the style of any other drummers that may have played with the likes of Peter Appleyard, Hank Jones or Slam Stewart before him. Claude plays the music in front of him, in the moment and of course it all works out. I think there's a real lesson there for the rest of us.
I'm taking a break from blogging and all things social media for the next few weeks.
In the meantime check out Quincy Davis' awesome drum jazz community Q/munity on Skool:
I was shopping for used records the other day and took home a few great LPs by the late Ralph Peterson Jr. that he recorded for Blue Note back in the 80s. I was reminded that a lot of great jazz music that was released in the 1980s on record, cassette and eventually on CD isn't currently available for streaming and lot of it has consequently gone under the radar.
Later, after going down a bit of a 1980s "Young Lions" rabbit hole on YouTube (or maybe it was a lions den?) one evening, I discovered this music that Cindy Blackman Santana also recorded and released in the 80s/early 90s:
I gotta say that these albums were a pleasant surprise and I think the playing and writing is fantastic and sounds fresh as ever. I am going to make a point of checking out more music from this time (around 40 years ago!)
Questlove recently interviewed Cindy for his series Questlove Supreme:
Canadian soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett shared a brief video of Claude Ranger on her Facebook page last month (captured during the studio recording of her debut album "In Dew Time", I believe).
Commentary in the comment section of Bunnett's social media post led me to some brief footage of Claude engaged in a sort of drum battle with the French Canadian swing drummer Guy Nadon (from the documentary "Le Roi du Drum", a feature on Nadon's life and music).
I've edited the clip below, piecing together some brief footage of Claude Ranger in action:
Thanks for taking some out of your day to read what I have to share. Here is the January 2025 edition of the Monday Morning Paradiddle, my monthly jazz drumming variety column.
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The Monday Morning Paradiddle - January 2025
1. More great writing from Vinnie Sperrazza's Substack series Chronicles including:
4. Portland's Alan Jones (one of my all-time drum heroes) interviewed by the Portland Arts Watch
5. Allison Miller on her favourite B3 drummers and drum duos from JazzTimes magazine and an older interview from I'd Hit That (a podcast for Drummers):
6. Bill Stewart with his trio:
7. Dr. Jazz Salmo Salamon interviews Roberto Gatto:
...and Kresten Osgood:
8. Thanks to Ken Micallef for this wonderful three-part series with Paul Wells:
9. More fantastic lessons, of course, from Quincy Davis' Q-Tips jazz drumming lesson channel on YouTube:
Make sure to check out and sign up for Quincy's latest endeavour, Q/munity.
Quincy has done a great job creating a very cool on-line jazz drumming community that has the potential to be something really special.
Come join the fun, get to work, learn something and....Let's Go!
11. Ali Jackson Jr. demonstrates Max Roach's approach to playing in 3/4:
12. A year-end show from Drummer Nation featuring Adam Nussbuam:
...and some fantastic footage of Adam with Michael Brecker:
13. Christian Vander solos on John Coltrane's Impressions:
14. Willie Jones III interviewed by Sounds of the Diaspora:
15. Mike DiRubbo interiews Nasheet Waits:
16. Emmet's Place Miami interviews the great Herlin Riley:
17. Thanks to Toronto jazz drummer Ernesto Cervini for taking the time to transcribe my drum solo from the title track of my album Sunalta:
18. A beautiful solo piano composition entitled Home written and performed by Jack DeJohnette:
19. What am I listening to these days?
Allison Au, Jodi Proznick & Mili Hong "Dunbar Heights" - Mili Hong (drums)
Leap Day Trio "Live at the Café Bohemia" - Matt Wilson (drums)
Lamy Istrefi Quartet "Sparkle from the Infinite" - Lamy Istrefi Jr. (drums)
Michael Shrieve "Drums of Compassion"
Jon Ballantyne "A Musing" - Dave Laing (drums)
Barry Elmes Quintet "Climbing" - Barry Elmes (drums)
Brian Dickinson "In Transition" - Bob McLaren/Barry Romberg (drums)
Peter Leitch "Jump Street" - Terry Clarke (drums)
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra "Live in Swing City: Swingin' with Duke" - Herlin Riley (drums)
Joel Jeschke "Time & Place" - Joel Jeschke (drums)
20. And today's Final Word goes to Kenny Werner:
Music never dies in terrible times. To the contrary, it flourishes. At those times, the essence of what music can provide really comes through. The music that gives strength to deal with the atrocities of the day, a song that can articulate our pain, the dance that plays out our longing, the poetry that restores for us a moment of tranquility or incites us to riot - that's what becomes important.
Happy New Year everyone and I hope you all enjoyed your holiday break. Now we are back to work, back to school and it's time to get focused, challenge ourselves, get inside the music and hit some drums.
And what better way to get inspired, motivated, organized and productive by joining my friend Quincy Davis' new Jazz Drumset Q/munity.
Quincy has done a great job creating a very cool on-line community that has the potential to be something really special. Come join the fun and....let's go!
Here's a few words from the man himself:
QUINCY DAVIS' JAZZ DRUMSET Q/MUNITY
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
If you’re looking for a supportive community of drummers who share a passion for jazz, are dedicated to learning, growing, and improving, you’ve found your place! After 10 years of creating video lessons for so many drummers, this community gives me the opportunity to engage with you directly, get to know you better, and help you grow—and vice versa!
INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP
Live Feedback and advice during Zoom calls Personalized Growth Plan and Recommendations Group lessons/Q&A/discussion group sessions Guest pro drummer masterclasses Free access to Recorded Group Lessons Exclusive Discounts: 50% off play-alongs and PDFs 20% off Quincy Davis signature drumsticks
BONUS CONTENT FOR NEW MEMBERS
Free Group Lesson: Advanced jazz drumming techniques Gig Tips: Behind-the-scenes insights from gigs and tours
COST$20/month (7-day free trial available) Price increases after 100 members
This is a blog about jazz, jazz drumming and all things unrelated. Thanks for stopping by!
A Bit About Me...
Jonathan McCaslin was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. Jonathan began playing the drums at the age of nine. He progressed through the Regina Lions Junior Band and the music program at his high school, Campbell Collegiate, soon developing a passion for playing the drums and jazz. Ultimately, Jon's interest in music led him to enroll in the Jazz Studies program at McGill University, graduating with distinction in 1999.
While at McGill Jon had the opportunity to study with some of the finest jazz educators in the country including Gordon Foote, Kevin Dean, Jan Jarcyzk, Chris McCann, Andre White, Michel Lambert and Dave Laing. He also attended the prestigious summer jazz workshop presented by the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1997, where he performed with Canadian jazz greats Hugh Fraser, Don Thompson and Kenny Wheeler.
Jon has also been fortunate to have performed with many of Canada's jazz elite including Charlie Biddle, Brian Hurley, Louise Rose, Alaister Kay, Mart Kinny, Gary Guthman, Mike Rud, Hadley Caliman, Greg Clayton, Chase Sanborn, Andre White, Tilden Webb, John LaBelle, Kevin Dean, Dave Turner, Ralph Bowen, Don Thompson, Dionne Taylor, Jim Vivian, Kelly Jefferson, Ian McDougall, Brad Turner, Jim Brenan, The McGill Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Johnston, Lorraine Desmerais, Steve Amirault, Hugh Fraser, Chucho Valdes, Kieran Overs, The Altsys Jazz Orchestra, Pat LaBarbera, The Regina Symphony Orchestra and The Montreal Jazz Big Band.
In the spring of 2002 McCaslin completed his Master's in Jazz Studies at McGill University where he studied jazz drumming, improvisation and composition.
In January 2003 Jon released his debut CD, “McCallum’s Island”. Featuring his quintet, the CD contains an exciting collection of McCaslin’s original compositions, featuring himself and his band. The release of this CD was followed by a twenty-day tour of Western Canada, performing to enthusiastic, capacity audiences. During March of 2003 Jonathan was the recipient of a fellowship from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and attended the “Betty Carter Jazz Ahead” residency in Washington, D.C. Along with twenty other distinguished young jazz artists, McCaslin was featured with such jazz icons as Terence Blanchard, Carmen Lundy, Winard Harper, Curtis Fuller and John Clayton.
McCaslin’s quintet performed at the 2003 edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival and was nominated for the General Motors Grand Prix du Festival (awarded to the most outstanding Canadian group). From 2004 until 2006, Jon toured North America, Asia and Europe with the high-energy, critically acclaimed music production troupe “Barrage”. Featuring a cast of seven world-class fiddlers and a four-piece band, this dynamic show featured high-energy music and fiddle traditions from around the world set to upbeat choreography and movement.
In 2015, Dr. McCaslin received his Doctorate through the University of Toronto and completed his dissertation on the conceptualization of contemporary melodic jazz drumming. He is currently based in Calgary, Alberta where he maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule across Canada.
