SKF NOTE – November 15, 2021, in my blog post, “With Regrets to Donald Bailey,” I praised the wonderfully creative drummer Donald Bailey, Sr, and I told the story of how, back in the early 1980s, I dismissed a suggestion to interview Bailey for Modern Drummer magazine.

Decades later, I was more familiar with Bailey’s playing and discography. Best known for his work with Jimmy Smith, Bailey also had many first-class albums with Hampton Hawes, Jimmy Rowles, Harold Land, Esther Phillips, Lou Donaldson, and others.

But Donald Bailey Sr was dead. And I regretted my earlier decision to pass on even asking if he would consent to be interviewed.

October 1, 2023 I received a reader response to my “With Regrets to Donald Bailey” post:

“Hey Scott I would love to talk to you about my Father. Just came across your blog today.”

The sender was Donald Bailey, Sr’s son, Donald Bailey, Jr, who is also a drummer.

I jumped at the chance to make amends for my 1980s lack of judgement with two conversations with Donald Bailey Jr. One in late May of this year, followed by a conversation in mid-July of this year.

This interview is a combination of our two conversations. Bailey Jr shares several insights into his father’s playing – both as a drummer and as a chromatic harmonica player. We covered the same ground I would have covered with his father.

Enjoy.

Donald Bailey Jr took these photos of Donald Bailey Sr’s famous ride cymbal in May 2024.