JASON BITTNER • MATT HALPERN • TIM ALEXANDER THE WORLD’S #1 DRUM MAGAZINE CHICK COREA’S MARCUS GILMORE SEARCHING FOR THE SOURCE KNOWER’S LOUIS COLE GLITCHED BEATS: DISPLACEMENT DEEP-DIVE + JUNE 2019 LUKE BRYAN’S KENT SLUCHER ASTON MICS: LOW-COST, HIGH-QUALITY RA KALAM BOB MOSES: DRUM WISDOM THE ORIGINAL. ONLY BETTER. The 5000AH4 combines an old school chain-and-sprocket drive system and vintage-style footboard with modern functionality. Sought-after DW feel, reliability and playability. The original just got better. www.dwdrums.com PEDALS AND ©2019 Drum Workshop, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HARDWARE 12 Modern Drummer June 2014 GRAMMY WINNER FP7 shown Whether on stage or in the studio, Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning drummer and percussionist Julio Figueroa relies on Audix Fusion series drum packs to deliver his signature sound. Expertly curated, attractively priced, and built to withstand the rigors of performing live, the FP7 and FP5 Fusion drum packs are the choice of both acclaimed artists and up and coming musicians. “I love my Fusion mics and I use them live and in the studio all the time. They are rugged, rich, and punchy. They always make me sound great!” — Julio Figueroa AudixUSA.com | 800.966.8261 CONTENTS Volume 43 • Number 6 CONTENTS Cover and contents photos by Alex Solca 42 RA KALAM BOB MOSES The art of being utterly unique by Keith Carne 48 KNOWER’S LOUIS COLE Bonus Lesson: Inspiration and Inspired Grooves by Willie Rose 54 LUKE BRYAN’S KENT SLUCHER Bonus Lesson: Live with Luke Bryan: Digging into some of the country and rock powerhouse’s grooves and approaches on the road. by Aaron Strickland ON THE COVER 26 CHICK COREA’S MARCUS GILMORE Much has been made of his being the grandson of drum god Roy Haynes. And not without reason—he grew up as a drummer at Mr. Snap Crackle and Pop’s knee. But he’s indisputably defi ned his own space on the jazz landscape by aggressively looking to the future while obsessively drawing inspiration from the original sources of our art. by Ken Micallef LESSONS DEPARTMENTS 4 AN EDITOR’S OVERVIEW 64 STRICTLY TECHNIQUE Nuggets of Drum Wisdom Eights and Sixes Part 3: Sextuplet Groupings and the “Pu-Du-Du” by Bill Bachman by Michael Dawson 66 ROCK ’N’ JAZZ CLINIC 6 READERS’ PLATFORM Moving Around the Kit Utilizing Clockwise and Counterclockwise Motions in Fills What’s Your Favorite ’90s Jazz by Jost Nickel Drumming Album? 68 ROCK PERSPECTIVES 8 OUT NOW Glitched Beats Diving Deep into Displacements by Aaron Edgar Matt Halpern on Periphery IV: Hail Stan 10 ON TOUR Jason Bittner with Overkill EQUIPMENT 12 DRUM CAM 14 PRODUCT CLOSE-UP LAST CHANCE TO WIN! Aric Improta’s “Creativity” A $5,700 package from Barton Vintage Beech Drumset Independent Drum Lab 5.5x15 Yamaha and Paiste 78 CRITIQUE RESoArmor Maple Snare Page 61 Mark Heaney’s new solo album reviewed— Aston Origin, Spirit, and Starlight including comments from the electro- Microphones acoustic rhythmic auteur—plus the latest SledgePad Dampening System from Dream Theater and more. 22 GEARING UP 82 ENCORE Primus’s Tim “Herb” Alexander The Lounge Lizards’ Voice of Chunk by John Colpitts 72 NEW AND NOTABLE 86 INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS Alvin Fielder remembered and more 88 KIT OF THE MONTH The Cherry on Top AN EDITOR’S OVERVIEW Nuggets of Drum Wisdom Founder Ronald Spagnardi n addition to interviewing some of 1943–2003 the most cutting-edge drummers on I Publisher/CEO Isabel Spagnardi the planet—such as two of the featured artists in this issue, modern-jazz prodigy Senior Vice President Lori Spagnardi Brady Hartman Marcus Gilmore and forward-thinking Vice President Kevin W. Kearns electro-funk artist Louis Cole—we also Associate Publisher Tracy A. Kearns like to check in with some of the living legends of our instrument, those unique Advertising Director Bob Berenson personalities who paved the way for us years ago and continue to inspire Advertising Assistant LaShanda Gibson future generations via their ageless artistry and sage teachings. Senior Art Director Scott G. Bienstock This month we caught up with the one and only Ra Kalam Bob Moses, Editorial Director Adam J. Budofsky who cut his teeth in the 1960s with legendary jazz saxophonist Roland Kirk, fusion guitarist Larry Coryell, and vibraphonist Gary Burton, and Managing Editor Michael Dawson who’s since gone on to become one of the most respected educators and Associate Editor Willie Rose drum artists on the planet. Moses also authored one of the fi rst conceptual Editor at Large Billy Amendola drum method books, Drum Wisdom, in 1984. Although currently out of print, much of what Moses discusses in that book remains relevant today. I THE MD PRO PANEL/ADVISORY BOARD: Chris Adler, Kenny Aronoff, Eddie spent many hours reading, contemplating, and trying to apply the various Bayers, Gregg Bissonette, Jason Bittner, Bill Bruford, Will Calhoun, Terri Lyne concepts covered in those brief but dense fi fty-one pages. Carrington, Matt Chamberlain, Jeff Davis, Peter Erskine, Daniel Glass, Benny Since we have a modern-day interview with Bob in this issue, I thought Greb, Matt Halpern, Horacio Hernandez, Gerald Heyward, Taku Hirano, Susie Ibarra, Jim Keltner, Paul Leim, Peter Magadini, George Marsh, Pat Mastelotto, it would be fun to complement that story with a few juicy quotes from Allison Miller, Rod Morgenstein, Andy Newmark, Stephen Perkins, Dafnis Drum Wisdom for you to ponder. The fi rst two come from the chapter titled Prieto, Rich Redmond, Brian Reitzell, Jim Riley, Antonio Sanchez, Gil Sharone, “Attitude.” “I always play from something; I never play from nothing,” says Chad Smith, Steve Smith, Todd Sucherman, Billy Ward, Kenny Moses. I wish I could say that I understood this idea back when I fi rst read it. Washington, Dave Weckl, Paul Wertico There have been many times when I’ve sat down at the kit to practice and thought to myself, I have no idea what to play. But it doesn’t take much to CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: SUBSCRIPTION get the creative juices fl owing. Sing a bass line, hum a melody, beat box a Patrick Berkery, Stephen Bidwell, CORRESPONDENCE: Modern groove…anything will do. David Ciauro, John Colpitts, Bob Girouard, Drummer, PO Box 274, Oregon, Mike Haid, John Martinez, Ben Meyer, IL 61061-9920. Change of Along the same lines, Moses adds, “There should be a musical idea behind Ken Micallef, Jeff Potter, Will Romano, address: Allow at least six everything you practice, just as there should be a musical idea behind Bernie Schallehn, Ilya Stemkovsky, Robin weeks for a change. Please everything you play.” I’m going to print that one out and plant it right next Tolleson, Lauren Vogel Weiss, Paul Wells. provide both old and new address. Call 800-551-3786 to my kit. MODERN DRUMMER magazine or 815-732-5283. Phone hours, Here’s some food for thought, from the chapter “Internal Hearing,” that’s (ISSN 0194-4533) is published monthly 8AM–4:30PM Monday–Friday CST, by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, or visit Subscriber Services at most applicable to times when we’re playing behind a soloist and want Inc., 271 Route 46 West, Suite H-212, www.moderndrummer.com. to get in on the action: “Trying to play with the soloist is like two people Fairfi eld, NJ 07004. PERIODICALS trying to get into the same end of a canoe—it’s going to tip over. Therefore, MAIL POSTAGE paid at Fairfi eld, NJ MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is 07004 and at additional mailing offi ces. distributed by Hal Leonard Corp., you must continue to play off of the basic melody even when the soloists Copyright 2019 by MODERN DRUMMER 800-554-0626, [email protected], have abandoned it.” There are countless examples of this concept being Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. www.halleonard.com/dealers applied on classic records. Even the most interactive players, like jazz greats Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, and Tony Williams, are often heard hinting at the Modern Drummer, PO Box 274, Oregon, melodies while supporting soloists. This is the secret sauce, really. EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ IL 61061-9920. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: This fi nal excerpt is pulled from the chapter titled “The 8/8 Concept,” and MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Canadian Publications Mail Agreement it’s one that I felt was particularly relevant for the overzealous rhythmist 271 Route 46 West, Suite H-212, No. 41480017 Return undeliverable living within each of us: “Some drummers get into the habit of fi lling up Fairfi eld, NJ 07004. Tel: 973-239- Canadian addresses to: PO Box 875, Stn A, 4140. Fax: 973-239-7139. Windsor ON N9A 6P2 every possible space, because they practice by themselves and forget to Email: [email protected]. think about the fact that there will be other musicians playing with them.” SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S. $29.95, Canada MEMBER: National Association of Music So don’t be selfi sh—space is the place. $33.95, other international $44.95 per Merchants, Percussive Arts Society year. For two- and three-year subscription Enjoy the issue! prices go to www.moderndrummer.com. MODERN DRUMMER welcomes Single copies $5.99. manuscripts and photos but cannot assume responsibility for them. MODERN DRUMMER ONLINE: www.moderndrummer.com Michael Dawson PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES Managing Editor Music Key facebook.com/moderndrummer @modern_drummer +moderndrummer @modern_drummer 4 Modern Drummer June 2019 June 2019 Modern Drummer 5 READERS’READERS’ PLATFORM PLATFORM What’s Your Favorite ’90s Jazz Drumming Album? We recently checked in with our readers and I Can See Your House from Here [1994] by Pat Bill Stewart on Peter Bernstein’s Earth Tones social media followers to fi nd out which jazz Metheny and John Scofi eld with Bill Stewart [1998].