Buddy Rich Slingerland Ad 1968

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: A Slingerland ad found on the inside back cover of the August 22, 1968 Down Beat magazine. This is the drumset I will probably forever associate with Buddy Rich. It is what he played most of my formative years.

A drumset for the ages.

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Pre-Order Robyn Flans’s Bio of Drummer Jeff Porcaro

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: When Robyn Flans was a frequent Modern Drummer contributor, and I was Managing Editor, we worked together on several 1980s interviews — including the Ringo Starr cover story.

I’m looking forward to reading Robyn’s upcoming biography of one-of-a-kind drummer Jeff Porcaro.

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Pre-order now and receive an autographed copy of It’s About Time, signed by author Robyn Flans, and a limited edition card featuring a “Rosanna” chart handwritten by Jeff with early childhood photo from the family archive.

Pre-Orders are expected to ship beginning in mid-September.

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Anniversary of Gary Chester’s Passing – August 17

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: From the Gary Chester the Drummer Facebook page. Gary was a wonderful guy and, without a doubt, an innovative drummer. Check out Gary’s Facebook page if you have not already done so. Here’s the back story on my first meeting with Gary.

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August 17th, 1987 around 4am EST Gary suddenly passed away at home with his wife and two of his daughters.The time was actually right about now as I post that the unbelievable was forced to fit into the believed for so many around the world.

Still to this day there is no replacement for the innovator and I suppose THAT is a true definition of the word itself, Innovator = irreplaceable. Those who knew Gary feel as satisfied as one can, knowing he was lost at 62 yet even one day with Gary was more than enough to know… your life had changed.

We miss you and love you profoundly. We will ALL be thinking of you today, Gary. xoxo

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Mel Lewis on Playing Thad Jones’s Charts (1968)

Posted on August 16, 2020 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra remains one of the all-time great big bands. For me it’s always interesting reading how the team worked. Here’s Mel Lewis sharing his perspective on playing Thad’s charts.

“[Thad Jones writes] the unexpected, interesting underparts, interesting jumps for the guys who are not playing lead. His placing of the notes as opposed to the rests is never obvious. You can’t anticipate his charts. He stays away from the eighth note rest-dotted quarter note routine. His whole rhythmic conception — the way everything falls — his use of space — it’s so beautiful to play from a drummer’s standpoint.

“There is so much impact in his ensembles; the voicing leaves you breathless.

“And then there are the things he does after he writes an arrangement, the changes he makes as he is rehearsing and directing it. I can say this for sure: Of the few arrangers and instrumentalists who have achieved a sound of their own, he is one.”

Source: “Thad’s Thing,” by Ira Gitler, Down Beat Feb. 22, 1968

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The Sound of Six Cups of Water

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: When I use the coffee pot for making coffee – as opposed to a K-cup – I fill the water level to six cups. I do that by listening to the sound of the water rising.

I’ve gotten good at knowing what six cups of water sounds like.

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