"non-drummers" to the public who can actually play well

[GoAndPractice]

Sammy Davis Jr:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USxvJFfKXrE

Wow..... I didn't know Sammy could play that well...... left handed floor tom, ala Joe Jones.......

" Smooth babe ...... and I mean that..... "

That is Jo Jones

[Kurtis]

Wow. Sammy is the complete package. Vibes. Drums. Entertainer. Singer. Tap. Actor.

[Pocketplayer]

[Superstition] The song's opening drum beat was performed by
Wonder on the kit that Scott Mathews provided at the Record Plant in
Hollywood

[nomsgmusic]

No "Go and Practice," that drummer (that Sammy replaces) is the great Michael Silva. He was a wonderful drummer, and a favorite of ALL tap dancers. He and Jimmy Slyde even toured as Taps and Traps. Bob Moses used Jimmy on one of his recordings, Jimmy was like the Jack DeJohnette of tap.

Musicians that "also" play drums? The first ones that I thought of were Jan Hammer and Steve Wonder, Steve Winwood as well (he plays everything.) Jan is KILLIN on the drums (or at least he used to be.)

Saxophonists Mike Brecker and Joe Lovano could/can play great drums. I studied with Lovano, and our "lessons" would consist of just me and him playing duets (sax and drums) and occasionally he would sit down and "show me something" and LITERALLY sound like Elvin (I kid you not!) Lovano plays some drums on one of his large group recordings (he tracked himself playing duets with him playing sax and drums.)

Chick Corea plays drums very well too (no surprise,) he is heard on the bonus tracks on one of his CD's (maybe "Three Quartets") playing drums (uncredited.) At an interview, I actually got a chance to sit and listen while Jack played piano and Chick played drums, then Jack asked Chick to get up and let me play, and I accompanied both Chick and Jack playing four hands one the same piano (pretty cool!) I wish I had the tape running for that.

MSG

[GoAndPractice]

Saxophonists Mike Brecker and Joe Lovano could/can play great drums. I studied with Lovano, and our "lessons" would consist of just me and him playing duets (sax and drums) and occasionally he would sit down and "show me something" and LITERALLY sound like Elvin (I kid you not!) Lovano plays some drums on one of his large group recordings (he tracked himself playing duets with him playing sax and drums.)

Chick Corea plays drums very well too (no surprise,) he is heard on the bonus tracks on one of his CD's (maybe "Three Quartets") playing drums (uncredited.) At an interview, I actually got a chance to sit and listen while Jack played piano and Chick played drums, then Jack asked Chick to get up and let me play, and I accompanied both Chick and Jack playing four hands one the same piano (pretty cool!) I wish I had the tape running for that.

MSG

Wow crazy... what an experience!

[Rene]

Sammy ... my man!!

and uh does Lenny Kravitz count?










not to forget Justin B

[Rhythmatist]

Comic Charlie Callas is another I saw a few times on the Tonight Show.

Hey, did we all forget about Bruno so soon?

MSG...yeah, Three Quartets...listened to that just a couple weeks ago. Chick plays some very cool, fluid shit on there. And, playing with Chick and Jack!!! Sick! That's gotta be one of those moments that you recall every detail!

[amoergosum]

Josh Groban >>>

[matthughen]

I love listening to drums played by "non-drummers." Stevie Wonder is well cataloged in that effort. His magical foot and musical accompaniment are truly stunning. His is is a lesson in phrasing and musicality in support of the song.

Bootsy Collins is another guy whose drumming is an absolute inspiration to me. He has played on many uncredited tracks in the p-funk archive and more frequently plays drums on his eponymous albums as well as those he produced. His girl band, Godmomma has lots of great Bootsy-drum tracks.


Here is Bootsy playing on the iconic P-funk track sampled by Digital underground for Humpty Dance, "Let's Play House" on the Trombipulation album:




This track seems to define for me how drumming from a "non-drummer" can be inspiring. Junie Morrison's drum track on "Superspirit" is stunning in it simplicity and complexity. The phrasing and way junie plays in support of the composition is so fresh to my drumistic ears and way of thinking I shall never tire of listening to this track.

[LinearDrumma]

Back in tha day Stamos had a tv show with Jack Klugman post soap opera stuff where he was a musician...his playing caught my attention -