Category Archives: Audio

Joe LaBarbera: My Gretsch Set-Up with Chuck Mangione

Posted on September 5, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: In the early 1970s Joe LaBarbera was recording and performing with Chuck Mangione. The group released three excellent albums with Mr. LaBarbera: Land of Make Believe (Mercury, 1973), Bellavia (A&M, 1975), and Chase the Clouds Away (A&M, 1975). … Continue reading →

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Papa Jo Jones with Louis Armstrong

Posted on September 2, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: Papa Jo Jones here in the drum chair once held by his friend Big Sid Catlett. Papa Jo is always fun to watch because there’s always something drummers can learn from him.

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Louis Bellson’s 1940s Gretsch Kit in ‘A Song is Born’ Movie

Posted on August 31, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: There’s quite a cast of jazz greats in this A Song is Born 1948 movie clip including a very young Louis Bellson on his original mid-1940s Gretsch double-bass drum set. Some wonderful footage of Louis. Watch for his … Continue reading →

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Bill Bruford: Saying ‘I’m a Drummer’ is a Dangerous Privilege (1982)

Posted on August 29, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: This excerpt provides a look back at two views of the new LinnDrum which was brand new on the market in 1982, the year this Bill Bruford interview took place. Bill Bruford was familiar with the Linn from … Continue reading →

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Bill Bruford – Using Hybrid Acoustic Simmons Drumset with King Crimson

Posted on August 28, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: I never met Bill Bruford in person. Our 1983 Modern Drummer interview was by phone. It was one of my rare MD interviews for which I wish I had been better prepared. Not that I was careless in … Continue reading →

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Artimus Pyle Describes Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash, Rescue (1982)

Posted on August 27, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: I don’t have much to add to my written introduction to Artimus Pyle‘s Modern Drummer interview published in April 1983. This excerpt and the other Artimus Pyle excerpts on this blog are part of my interview with Art … Continue reading →

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Freddie Gruber – Greatest Disservice: Drum Teacher to Student

Posted on August 17, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: Here’s the back story on my interview with Freddie Gruber. In this part of the interview I ask Freddie, “What do you think is the greatest disservice a teacher can do to a drum student?” And Freddie gives … Continue reading →

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