Tony Williams / Jazz drumming

Martin Abend · From: Berlin, Germany

I've been a drummer for about 16 years now but I never understood Jazz drumming, so I thought I should work a bit on this. Since most of the drummers I like claim Tony Williams for a major influence I bought "Maiden Voyage" by Herbie Hancock a few days ago. Man, this record is so unbelievably great, I can't imagine how I could overlook it for so long. It's a concept album about the sea and Tony Williams is just brilliant. I still have no idea why he plays like he does but it sure is fantastic.
I know that some of you are drummers as well, so if you or non-drumming steelers would tell me which Jazz drummer you like I's really appreciate it.

There's soooo much to learn...

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martin abend my homepage chicotarde@web.de
s-10 sierra crown gearless 3 x4 - fender hotrod deluxe

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Some drummers I have really appreciated over the years:
oh, definitely Tony Williams--Eric Dolphy, "Out to Lunch"

Ed Blackwell, earlier Ornette Coleman
Andrew Cyrille (sp?) with Cecil Taylor
Barry Alschul w/ Anthony Braxton

One guy who blows my mind--he is STILL great and never sounds out-of-date--Max Roach. A more musical drummer you will never hear.

Steven Welborn · From: Ojai,CA USA

I'll second that on Max Roach. Also, check out Tony William's Lifetime album. It was a trio by the same name with John McLauphlan. They were kind of experimental. Interesting stuff by McLauphlan to before he exploded into the Hindu thing. Elvin Jones with the John Coltrain Quartet should blow your mind to. A master of polyrythms.

HOWaiian · Posted 21 Jan 2001 12:28 am

martin-

check out Miles Davis' late 60's-early 70's material: Filles de Kilimanjaro, Bitches Brew, Black Beauty, Live Evil, On the Corner, Big Fun, Dark Magus. each is absolutely mind-blowing for its ensemble & individual playing; it's like all of these guys share a central nervous system.

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Steve, the Lifetime project, wasn't that the one with Jack Bruce (Cream, Bluesbreakers, etc) on bass?
Jack and McLaghlin (how do you spell it?) cut solo albums in 1969, which were totally different spectrums of jazz-rock, but both are interesting.

Sam Marshall · From: Chandler, AZ USA

Art Blakey

Steven Welborn · From: Ojai,CA USA

Jason, i cant recall who played bass. If it was Jack Bruce i think would remember that, but then my memory is not the best. it's possible.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

My favorite is "Smilin" Billy Higgins

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www.jimcohen.com

P Gleespen · From: Toledo, OH USA

My favorite Tony Williams stuff is with Miles in the "Four and More", "Miles Smiles" and "Nefertiti" era. It's Tony and Ron Carter at their best I think. It's a darn shame that someone so talented died so young (I think Tony was only 51 when he died in 97)

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

The historic Lifetime recording is "Emergency" it does not have a bass player.
Jack Bruce played on the recording after that.

Greg Vincent · From: Folsom, CA USA

Hey Martin,

I've read that Tony was Miles's favorite drummer EVER --so I guess you're choosing
your influences well!

I've heard that Tony Williams was 17 when he started playing with Miles. 17!!!

GV

Steven Welborn · From: Ojai,CA USA

Bob, by god youre right..thanks for the correction. I lost that LP ages ago.

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

Roy Haynes, Jack DeJonnette (sp?), Elvin Jones...and the list goes on & on....but when Tony Williams first hit the scene, his own brand of youthful fire was really somethin' else!!! Plus, he also wrote a few really beautiful tunes.

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

I think it was Larry Young playing B3 bass on the first Tony William's "Lifetime" records. ...but I'm not possitive. It's been years since I've heard those.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

My all time favorite jazz drummer is Philly Joe Jones. IMHO Philly Joe could say more musically with an 8 bar break than Buddy Rich could with an 8 minute solo.
I once met a guy who had a photo of Rich framed with a half-smoked cigarette Rich had left in an ashtry. Now that's hero worship.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

I can't believe that in all the drummers mentioned,no one remembered "Shelly Manne".
His work was featured on the "Poll Winners" albums that won all three major popularity polls for 1956-57-58. The Poll Winners Three combo consisted of Shelly Manne (drums), Barney Kessel(guitar), and Ray Brown (bass).

GENE JONES http://genejones.bizland.com

Rich Paton · From: Santa Maria, CA.,

Earl Palmer (Old Material)
Peter Erskine (New Material)
Earl's drummuing was recorded on 1000's of hit songs, with artists from Fats Domino to Roy Lanham and Howard Roberts. Earl's playing is a must-hear in any serious study of Jazz and other drumming styles.
An excellent bio on Earl is at: http://www.weeklywire.com/ww/01-31-00/boston_music_1.html

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Shelly was fantastic. The way he commented and answered Barney's musical statements on the Poll Winners albums was very original. His work with the LA-4 was unique in that he never overpowered Laurindo Almeida's Classical guitar but contributed significantly to the overall sound of the group.

Let's not forget Joe Morello for touch and technique, Art Blakey for control and sheer power, and Big Sid Catlett, who could swing a whole band playing a cardboard box.