Tag Archives: Mel Lewis

Mel Lewis – Best Beat of a Lifetime

Posted on March 5, 2018 by scottkfish

SKF NOTE: This 1968 Gretsch drum ad with Mel Lewis — and other great drummers in the series — need to be kept in the public eye, IMO. As I’ve said before, pre-internet, these ads gave young drummers one our … Continue reading →

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Mel Lewis Plays Herbie Hancock ($4.95)

Posted on February 26, 2018 by scottkfish

SKF NOTE: This album, Mel Lewis & the Jazz Orchestra Play the Compositions of Herbie Hancock Live in Montreux, looks promising. Mel Lewis’s Orchestra in concert playing Herbie Hancock tunes arranged by Bob Mintzer. At $4.95 (as of Feb. 26, … Continue reading →

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Frankie Dunlop: Max Roach Took Me Under His Wing

Posted on September 5, 2017 by scottkfish

SKF NOTE: Prior to interviewing Frankie Dunlop, Mel Lewis told me he thought Frankie, when he first came to New York City, had studied with Max Roach. This interview excerpt is Frankie’s response to what Mel Lewis said.

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John Von Ohlen: I Started on Drums at Age 17 (1984)

Posted on August 24, 2017 by scottkfish

SKF NOTE: From the transcript of my interview with John Von Ohlen, published in the March 1985 Modern Drummer. John’s relatively late start on drums were preceded by more than a decade of studying accordion, piano, and trombone. And also, … Continue reading →

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Mel Lewis: ‘I Own Four Sets of Drums’

Posted on August 21, 2017 by scottkfish

SKF NOTE: Arnold Jay Smith interviewed Mel Lewis for the June 1, 1978 Down Beat. Revisiting that interview last night, I don’t recall Mel owning four drumsets, each different in configuration, that he used for different situations. Mr. Smith asks … Continue reading →

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