MODERN DRUMMER VOL.8, NO. 9 Cover Photo by Rick Malkin CONTENTS FEATURES ART BLAKEY After paying his dues with such greats as Fletcher Henderson, Dizzy Gillepsie and Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey went on to lead the legendary Jazz Messengers. Here, he traces his career from its inception in Pittsburgh clubs to the present, and discusses the inspiration and training he received from Chick Webb and Sid Catlett. by Chip Stern 8 CARMINE APPICE To remain at the hub of the music industry for nearly 20 years takes talent, perseverance, and versatility. In addition to drumming for such major acts as Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, Ted Nugent and Ozzy Osbourne, Carmine Appice has been active as a clinician, educator and songwriter. He openly discusses his career and offers candid insights about the industry. by Robert Santelli 14 ARTHUR PRESS Drawing from his experiences as percussionist and assistant timpanist with the Boston Symphony, Arthur Press shares his thoughts about interpreting orchestral parts, adjusting to different conductors, and maintaining professionalism. He also gives advice about concert snare drums, and discusses his MMO recording, Classical Percussion. by Rick Mattingly 18 INSIDE YAMAHA 22 by Charles M. Bernstein and William F. Miller JONATHAN MOFFETT Have Drums—Will Travel 26 by Robyn Flans COLUMNS THE JOBBING DRUMMER EDUCATION JUST DRUMS 114 Avoiding Overplaying 88 PROFILES CONCEPTS by Tim Price Drumming And Prejudice JAZZ DRUMMERS WORKSHOP PORTRAITS by Roy Burns 30 Jazz Patterns In 5/4 Bobby Daniels 94 by Robyn Flans 34 THE MUSICAL DRUMMER by Chuck Kerrigan First Review CLUB SCENE ON THE MOVE by Bill Molenhof 52 The Etiquette Of Sitting In: David Dunkley/Emedin Rivera 92 Part 1—The Good Host TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS by Rick Van Horn 96 Your First Big Break NEWS by Sandy Gennaro 54 EQUIPMENT UPDATE by Robyn Flans 110 ROCK PERSPECTIVES SETUP UPDATE Breaking Up The Double-Bass Roll by Peter Erskine and Michael INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS 112 by Joe Franco 60 32 Shrieve ROCK CHARTS PRODUCT CLOSE-UP DEPARTMENTS Alex Van Halen's "Jump" 2 Corder 5000 Series Drumset EDITOR'S OVERVIEW by James Morton 76 4 READER'S PLATFORM by Bob Saydlowski, Jr. 70 6 ASK A PRO TEACHER'S FORUM SHOP TALK A Balanced Approach Collecting Drums For Fun And Profit DRUM MARKET 98 by Rodman A. Sims 86 by Ken Mezines 72 IT'S QUESTIONABLE 108 STAFF: EDITOR/PUBLISHER Ronald Spagnardi FEATURES EDITOR Rick Mattingly A MANAGING EDITOR Rick Van Horn ASSOCIATE EDITORS Susan Hannum Team William F. Miller ART DIRECTOR David Creamer Effort ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kevin W. Kearns ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER I'm often asked how all the material for MD's feature articles comes Isabel Spagnardi together month after month. To the immediate right of this column stands ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER a list of names under the heading of Contributing Writers. This list actually Ann Thompson represents the backbone of our free-lance field staff, and though there are ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE others who occasionally write for the magazine, the individuals listed are MANAGER essentially our key people. Perhaps now is as good a time as any to credit Ellen Urry DEALER SERVICE MANAGER some of the people behind the scenes of the MD features. Janet Gola Anyone who has been reading Modern Drummer for the past five years CIRCULATION should certainly recognize the name Robyn Flans. Based in the Los Leo L. Spagnardi Angeles area, Robyn has submitted more feature articles to the magazine Robin De Paul than any other single individual. A list of the people she's interviewed Lori-Jean Syintsakos might fill the remainder of this column. Robyn also keeps us abreast of Tracy Kearney recent happenings in the drum world through her regular Update column. SALES PROMOTION MANAGER Scott K. Fish, MD's former Managing Editor, is another writer who Evelyn Urry should be familiar to MD readers. Over the years, Scott has interviewed heavyweights like Neil Peart, Jim Keltner, Max Roach and Bill Bruford, MD ADVISORY BOARD among others, and was also the author of our five-part "History Of Rock Henry Adler, Carmine Appice, Louie Bellson, Drumming" series. Originally from Long Island, Scott continues to work Bill Bruford, Roy Burns, Jim Chapin, Billy Cobham, Les DeMerle, Len DiMuzio, Charlie for the magazine on a free-lance basis. Donnelly, Saul Goodman, Danny Gottlieb, Both Susan Alexander (Alan White, Phil Collins, Graham Lear) and Sonny Igoe, Jaimoe Johanson, Jim Keltner, Robin Tolleson (Terry Bozzio, Rod Morgenstein, Ndugu Chancier) hail Don Lamond, Mel Lewis, Peter Magadini, from the West Coast, while T. Bruce Wittet, who gave us memorable trib- George Marsh, Butch Miles, Joe Morello, Neil utes to Keith Moon and John Bonham, is one of Canada's finest music Peart, Charlie Perry, Charli Persip, Arthur writers. Press, Paul T. Riddle, Ed Shaughnessy, Ed Bob Santelli and Chip Stern are two of MD's key New York writers, and Thigpen, Max Weinberg. though both are relatively new to the magazine, each brings a wealth of writing experience from other music journals. Among numerous recent CONTRIBUTING WRITERS articles, Bob's insightful piece on the great reggae drummers and Chip's Susan Alexander, Charles M. Bernstein, Scott well-researched "Inside Sabian" are both worthy of honorable mention. K. Fish, Robyn Flans, Simon Goodwin, Dave Two of our other contributors are Dave Levine and Charles Bernstein. Levine, Robert Santelli, Bob Saydlowski, Jr., Dave is another Californian whose latest effort was February '84's very Chip Stern, Robin Tolleson, T. Bruce Wittet. popular "Guide To Drumset Tuning." Chuck Bernstein is from San Fran- cisco, and jazz aficionados should recall his absorbing interviews with Billy Higgins and George Marsh, among others. MODERN DRUMMER Magazine (ISSN 0194- Simon Goodwin and Bob Saydlowski, Jr., in addition to writing occa- 4533) is published monthly by Modern Drum- sional features, have made the bulk of their editorial contributions to mer Publications, Inc., 1000 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, N.J. 07013. Second Class Postage paid MD's column department. Simon, who makes his home in England, is at Clifton, N.J. 07015 and at additional mailing MD's primary author for The Jobbing Drummer, while Bob has handled offices. Copyrighted 1984 by Modern Drummer the chores of Product Close-Up for four years in an almost in-house capac- Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Repro- ity from his home base in Massachusetts. duction without the permission of the publisher As long as I'm on the subject of in-house people, mention must also go is prohibited. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $21.95 per to Features Editor Rick Mattingly, who, along with coordinating assign- year, $39.95, two years. Single copies $2.50. ments and editing the manuscripts of the above-mentioned writers, has MANUSCRIPTS: Modern Drummer welcomes also found time to present outstanding interviews with Elvin Jones, Jack manuscripts, however, cannot assume responsi- DeJohnette, Steve Gadd, Andy Newmark, Tony Williams, and many bility for them. Manuscripts must be accompa- nied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. more. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Allow at least six As you can readily see, MD's features department represents the coordi- weeks for a change. Please provide both old and nated efforts of a group of talented and dedicated individuals. We like to new address. MUSIC DEALERS: Modern think we've assembled a team of some of the most gifted music writers in Drummer is available for resale at bulk rates. the country, and personally, I'm proud to be associated with each and Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer every one of them. Publications, Inc., 1000 Clifton Avenue, Clif- ton, N.J. 07013. (201) 778-1700. POSTMAS- TER: Send Address Changes to Modern Drum- mer, 1000 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, N.J. 07013. TONY WILLIAMS PETER DONALD AND want on paper. I just got the June issue of Modern Drum- GERRY BROWN I'd love to see an article on Paul Motian. mer, and I must say that the Tony Williams Let me start out by saying I think you have I consider him one of the giants. Just check interview was long overdue. The warm a wonderful publication. Not only do I out his playing on all the older Bill Evans things he said made me feel so good to be a read your magazine regularly, but I also reissues that are out now. Then listen to his drummer. It was a reawakening for me. put your written practice material in my playing with Keith Jarrett, Tim Berne, and Tony has been my main inspiration since I daily practice sessions. There is only one on his own new album on Soul Note heard him with Miles on the Four And problem. When you put two of the great records. That cat is timeless! His feel/con- More album. It's funny how Tony Wil- drummers around today (Gerry Brown ception was evident back in the late '50s; liams is mentioned as an influence in and Peter Donald) in your magazine, don't he's always been playing great! He's also a almost every interview in your magazine, bury them in the Portraits section like they very good writer! Thanks for turning out whether it is a rock drummer, jazz drum- are some up-and-coming drummers. These some quality stuff. mer, studio drummer or whatever. Tony's two guys are top of the tops, and deserve Tim Price comments on how much he loves the much greater recognition from you and all Reading, PA drums reminded me of how much I love of the drumming community. Peter the drums, too! Donald was so humble in that interview. Thank you, Tony, for the years of beau- I'd rather listen to him than Tony Williams LEARNING TO READ tiful drumming and positive vibes.