Tag Archives: Duke Ellington

’72 All-Star Swing Festival: Great Drummers Throughout

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: I just came across this 1972 Timex All-Star Swing Festival with great drummers throughout. Harold Jones with Count Basie, Rufus “Speedy” Jones with Duke Ellington, Gene Krupa with Benny Goodman Quartet, Alan Dawson with Dave Brubeck, Bobby Durham … Continue reading →

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Sonny Greer on Buddy Rich and Jo Jones

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: My interview with Sonny Greer took place at Sonny’s New York City apartment on March 4, 1981, published in an edited version in the November 1981 Modern Drummer. Brooks Kerr, a pianist and Duke Ellington aficionado, was performing … Continue reading →

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Duke Ellington vs Chick Webb: ‘We Tore Them Up, Man’

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Sonny Greer was Duke Ellington‘s drummer 1924-1951 when he was replaced by Louis Bellson. This exchange about a Savoy Ballroom Battle of the Bands between the Duke Ellington and Chick Webb Orchestras is from my interview with Sonny … Continue reading →

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Mel Lewis on Sinatra/Ellington’s “Follow Me”

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: The Frank Sinatra/Duke Ellington album, Francis A. & Edward K., is one of my all-time favorites. And, of course, it’s fun and instructive listening to Mel Lewis‘s thoughts on the song, Follow Me. Mel Lewis: That, of course, … Continue reading →

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RIP Bunny Briggs: Tap Dancer Extraordinaire

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Tap dancers and drummers have always been connected. Drum history is scattered with musicians who excelled at both art forms. Buddy Rich, Fred Astaire, Steve Gadd are but a few. I had never heard of Bunny Briggs before … Continue reading →

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