SKF NOTE: This excerpt is from audiocassette Side B of my Modern Drummer Freddie Gruber interview. Gruber was a respected drum teacher whose students include Neil Peart, Steve Smith, Dave Weckl, and Vinnie Colaiuta.

Gruber, a product of post-World War 2 NYC, is known by his peers of that era as a visionary jazz drummer. Perhaps the best example is drummer Jim Chapin‘s description of Gruber’s drumming circa 1949:

Gruber is admittedly a controversial figure. His critics point to Gruber’s lack of a discography. If Freddie Gruber’s so great, why isn’t he on any records, say his critics.

In fact, there is plenty of evidence of Gruber on record, and of Gruber’s ability to play drums, and to teach drumming. Here’s a great example from former Gruber student, Neal Sausen:

So, here’s Gruber on his journey from player, to non-player, to teacher. Teaching, he told me, saved his life.

As I’ve mentioned before, we were at Buddy Rich’s NYC apartment kitchen table. Buddy was not home, but I was in awe at being so close to Buddy’s presence.