Tag Archives: Max Roach

Alan Dawson – Discovering You’re Playing Drums by Yourself

Posted on February 23, 2020 by

SKF NOTE: This exchange is from my interview with Alan Dawson for Modern Drummer’s January 1986 10th Anniversary Issue. The interview took place in 1985 in Alan Dawson’s Massachusetts’ home living room over Dawson-made tuna fish sandwiches. This is part … Continue reading →

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Max Roach – The Onus is Always on the Rhythm Section

Posted on April 27, 2019 by

SKF NOTE: Interviewing Max Roach on July 15, 1981 in his Connecticut home was, and is, one of my life’s highlights. Hearing Gene Krupa ignited my lifelong love of drumming. Hearing Max Roach for the first time gave my drumming … Continue reading →

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Max Roach and Steve Gadd

Posted on August 9, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: Yesterday I remembered an early 1980s phone conversation I had with Max Roach. I couldn’t remember why Mr. Roach and I had the conversation. But this morning I can fill in the blanks. I was still Modern Drummer’s … Continue reading →

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Start with Curiosity

Posted on June 8, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: The first time a kid with the desire to learn picks up a pair of drumsticks and starts playing the most basic rhythm, he or she has the opportunity to learn from all other drummers present and past. … Continue reading →

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The Beat Changes the Entire Style

Posted on February 28, 2018 by

SKF: Researching for my History of Rock Drumming series, Robert Palmer’s book, Deep Blues: A Musical and Cultural History of the Mississippi Delta, was quite helpful. This morning, leafing through a few pages from Deep Blues I had photocopied in … Continue reading →

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Alan Dawson: Innovator vs Innovative

Posted on February 13, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: In 1985, Alan Dawson invited me to his Massachusetts home for this interview, part of which was included in Modern Drummer‘s 10th Anniversary issue January 1986. As time allows I am converting portions of the Mr. Dawson’s interview … Continue reading →

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Between Beginner and Buddy Rich

Posted on January 7, 2018 by

SKF NOTE: This 1958 photo of Chico Hamilton brings back memories of a turning point in my learning to be a jazz drummer. The first two jazz drummers I noticed, who really grabbed my attention, were Gene Krupa and Buddy … Continue reading →

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