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:
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.”
