Practicing Drummer

For most of us, Steve Smith needs no introduction. He’s simply one of the most influential drummers of our time. He was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame for his work with journeyHe’s also considered one of the top jazz and fusion drummersHe’s led his own group Vital information for more than 40 yearsOn top of all that he’s produced some of the best educational books and videos for drummers - I’m currently obsessed with the brush video he did with Adam Nussbaum where they sit...

Recorded June 2025 Ron Tierno's name first came up in my interview with Hank Allen-Barfield, who mentioned studying The Melodic Snare Drummer—a book by Ron—while working with Billy Drummond at Juilliard. Ron has spent his entire career based in New York, where he did some recording and worked extensively as a Broadway musician. He played on the first national tour of CATS and later joined the show's long-running Broadway production. These days, Ron teaches out of Good Hands Drum Shop in Manha...

Recorded June 2025 Drummer Mark Ferber appears on more than 200 recordings and remains active with several ongoing projects, including ECM artist Ralph Alessi’s This Against That, the Marc Copland Quartet, the Brad Shepik Organ Trio, and the Grammy-nominated big band and nonet led by his twin brother, Alan Ferber. He maintains a full schedule, performing regularly in jazz clubs and recording studios across Los Angeles and New York, as well as touring internationally. His past collaborations i...

Recorded February 2025 Hank Allen-Barfield is a young drummer living in New York City who recently graduated from Juilliard. In college Hank has studied with people like Kenny Washington, Billy Drummond, Paul Wells, and Joe Farnsworth. You can catch Hank playing regularly in New York City or out on the road with Stella Cole. https://hankallenbarfield.com https://www.instagram.com/hankallenbarfield Stella Cole Tour Dates https://www.stellacole.net Nica's Dream at Emmet's Place https://ww...

Recorded January 2025 Scott Amendola is a drummer who grew up on the east coast and made his way to the Bay Area after his time at Berklee in Boston. With a career spanning more than three decades, he’s an ambitious composer, bandleader, electronics explorer, first-call accompanist, and educator. As a sideman, Scott has performed and recorded with people like Bill Frisell, Regina Carter, John Zorn, Mike Patton, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Laurie Anderson, and many others. With his...

Recorded November 2024 Joe Dyson is a drummer from New Orleans who now lives in New York City. His album Look Within has been out for a few years and he hinted at a new solo project and another Bridge Trio album coming in 2025. Joe has worked with Pat Metheny, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Joel Ross, David Weiss, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), and many others. Links https://www.joedyson.com/ https://www.instagram.com/joe_dyson/ https://joedyson....

Recorded June 2024 Jeremy Dutton is drummer from Houston who now lives in New York City. He was featured in Modern Drummer magazine last year and his first album as a leader, Anyone is Better Than Here, has been out for almost exactly a year. Aside from his solo projects, he plays regularly with Joel Ross, Vijay Iyer, James Francies, and many other great artists. Links: imjeremydutton.comInstagramJeremy Dutton @ stephan's basementJeremy Dutton x Cycle Studios: Solo SessionsJames Francie...

Recorded April 2024 Colleen Clark earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas and after living in NYC for many years, she’s now an Assistant Professor of Jazz at the University of South Carolina. In addition to her role at USC, Colleen has several musical projects and the recent album with her band Alliance received a 4 star review in Downbeat. She is also the founder and artistic director of USC’s Jazz Girls Day. Links: colleendrums.comInstagramAllianceJazz Girl...

Recorded March 2024 Geoff Clapp spent the majority of his career in New Orleans where he was mentored by Ellis Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell, and many others. He has a couple of great albums out as a leader and has played with Dianne Reeves, Benny Green, Charlie Hunter, Sam Fribush, Wynton Marsalis, Nicolas Payton, and many others. Links: Geoff Clapp - Instagram - Hit him up for lessons!Percussionist Alexi Marti live on WWOZJohnny VidacovichHerlin Riley live with Emmett CohenShanno...

Recorded March 2024 From performing with Duke Ellington at just nine years old, having his own band with Marcus Miller and Kenny Kirkland, to playing with Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, McCoy Tyner, and countless others, Ronnie has had a really impressive career. He's currently staying busy teaching, working with his non-profit called World Rhythm Academy, and playing with his band, Holographic Principle. Links: ronnieburrage.bizInstagramWorld Rhythm AcademyHolographic Principle live...

Recorded May 2023 Dan is a drummer and tabla player living in Brooklyn with a unique musical voice that draws from jazz, Indian classical, progressive rock, hip hop, metal, and more. In addition to his varied work as a sideman, he’s also a highly regarded bandleader and composer. Be sure to check out the Dan Weiss Trio and his band Starebaby. Links danweiss.netInstagramPatreonBandcampDan Weiss TrioThe song featured in this episode is Halfway to Hartford by Noah Preminger. Practicing Drummer...

Recorded May 2023 George Fludas is a staple of the Chicago scene who has toured extensively as a member of Ray Brown's Trio, and with groups led by Hank Jones, Diana Krall, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton and Joey DeFrancesco. George is also a great rock drummer and a John Bonham expert. Links: George's websiteInstagramYouTubeBonhamologyPeople’s Front of ZeppelinPhilly Joe Jones Brush ArtistryYurt Rock sample packsChicago Pizza Uno and DuePequod'sVilla Napoli (Tavern style)Jimmy's (New York sty...

Billy Drummond - Recorded April 2023 Billy Drummond is a jazz drummer based out of New York who has played with Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, J J Johnson, Sonny Rollins, and countless others. He’s also a great band leader with several wonderful records under his own name. His most recent album as a leader, Valse Sinistre, was a Downbeat Best Album of 2022. Links: Billy Drummond's websiteFacebookThelonious Monk biography by Robin D.G. KelleyMonk's Dreams by Fran...

Colin Stranahan - Recorded April 2023 Based out of Brooklyn, Colin plays and tours with a wide range of artists and is a member of Kind Folk, Real Feels, and the Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato Trio. Links: Colin's InstagramColin with Kurt Rosenwinkel in New OrleansColin's online coursesElite Music MentorMy Music MasterclassPatreonGilad Hekselman / Cécile Mclorin Salvant @ Cornelia St. CafeSquare Song by Theo Kapilidis JK KimTimothy AnguloSasha BerlinerImmanuel WilkinsKweku SumbryThe songs fea...

Brad Webb - Recorded April 2023 Brad is a drummer from Louisiana and after studying classical percussion for most of his life, he switched his focus to drum set. He’s living up in Boston now and it was great to catch up with him and learn more about his development as a player. Links: Brad Webb's siteExtended TrioExtended Trio live at MonksCalvin and Hobbs kitLA Backbeat drumsticksBasher plays halftime at a Pelicans gameKenny Barron Live at Bradley'sOscar Rossignoli (piano) playing with Al...