Drum soloing 101 with Jeff Hamilton

[Rodge]

Gretsch, I think you're not in a good mood with Jazz drummer, specialy those who REALLY play with the knowledge of the tradition, well, to each his own.

But keep in mind that the more you're aware of the Jazz tradition and its langage, the better you'll play that music. It's not really about doing "fun" stuff, but playing that music in the best way possible, with authenticity and depht.
So do you want to play some Jazz music ?

Greg's Master Class at Berklee is realy great !!!

[Matthijs Ament]

I love Art Blakey, he is so 'from the street'. Big Huge Swing, fearless and down to earth. There is a lot of this 'University Jazz' that is besides the point of what most people like about music and therefore the audience keeps getting smaller. Sad, but somehow Jazz has come full circle imho. Jeff Hamilton is great though.

[Rene]

[DeeP_FRieD]

This guy has his stuff together; however, what makes this a "Jazz" solo?

I see that the kit itself could be identified as "Jazz", but marine pearl, and x, y, and z sizes do not designate "Jazz" really.

There's no cymbals.

I saw a few licks that could be construed as coming from the "Jazz" vocabulary.

I'm confused here.

[Paul Marangoni]

what makes this a "Jazz" solo?

We just have to trust that he's imagining jazz music while he plays I guess. That, and the fact that he calls it a "jazz solo" is enough for it to be a jazz solo. If he was wearing a beret or scarf it may have been more authentic.






And yeah, what about some cymbals?

[Rene]

Hans van Oosterhout is one bad ass jazz drummer, who has been playing drums for Toots Tielemans over the last decade. The reason for me to post this vid was that I thought it was an good example of jazz soloing with respect to tradition, but he's also seeking the boundaries. Just to extend on Rodge's previous reply. He probably recorded this video for his students (he's head of Jazz faculty at the Rotterdam Conservatory). He left out the cymbals to demonstrate in trying to be creative with just drums ....

With some cymbals:

[gretsch-o-rama]

Sorry for the late reply...hard drive crapped on me. Well to answer, Jerry, the last solo before my comment was...well, low velocity to say the least. There's a lot of irony in trying "recreate" the traditions so fervently...first off, all the great Jazz drummers(IMO) had a groove so strong you could consider dancing to it. Ihad heard that some of the greats had started out as dance band drummers. My usage of "Jazz Nazi" implies an over intellectualized and academic concept of music. You cannot dance to that. And that's why I believe jazz music is dead. And every Brandford won't stop whining about it. And wasn't always the point of hiring a band to make people dance? Over intellectualizing everything isn't for everyone...people need therapy for that.

And to answer the question, yes I'm very much into Jazz and playing. It's been hugely important in finding my own concept... I went through the phase with the bebop kit and the cymbals that shatter. Decided it wasn't for me. I decided that what Jazz is known for today is actually Anti-Jazz.


Although, I will say I'll stop short of doing heroin like Jojo Mayer...

[willyz]

[electrizer]

Pro-level meme application *applause* :D:D

[gretsch-o-rama]

I think somehow I'm supposed to take offense to that....but i don't.