The Birth Of The Jazz Drummer - Part I I have said this before, and I'll continue to say it. If you play the drumkit, you owe it to yourself to check out it's foundation and the music it was created to play. This goes for the jazz drummers as well. Nine out of ten jazz drummers I meet outside of the U.S get caught up in these modern players like Paul Motian, Jack DeJohnette, even Elvin Jones. They really learn the language of their idols, but they are lacking overall swing. Then when they come to me for a lesson I ask, have you checked out J.C Heard? No? Well he's somewhat unknown. What about Papa Jo? No? Sid Catlett? No? I think we have a problem. You need a foundation. Whether you want to play rock, funk, or latin, you owe it to yourself to do some research on and about your instrument. I'd like to begin this multi part column with two pioneers, Zutty Singleton and Baby Dodds. Arthur "Zutty" Singleton was known for amazing suppleness, he was the first to closely follow the melodic lines of a jazz improvisation. He also used a more modest set up consisting of a bass drum, snare, 2 toms, and a few cymbals. Drummers at that time had very elaborative setups with temple blocks, chinese toms, and many sound effect toys. Singleton [left] was born in Bunkie, Louisiana in 1898. During his amazing career he worked with The Maple Leaf Band, The Tuxedo Band, Steve Louis, and the well known Fate Marable. He didn't gain national notoriety until his recordings with Louis Armstrong's Hot Five during the 20's. In 1917 Singleton was part of the migration of jazz musicians to Chicago where jazz was very popular. While in Chicago he performed with Dave Payton, Doc Cook, and Jimmy Noone. He later moved to New York and played behind Armstrong, Fats Waller, Sidney Bechet, Pee Wee Russell, Jelly Roll Morton and Buster Bailey. My favorite aspect of Zutty's playing was his press roll time keeping. Before the jazz cymbal beat there was snare drum time keeping. Singleton would play a press roll while accenting 2 and 4. This brings us to our next pioneer who also was an amazing snare time player, Mr. Baby Dodds. Warren "Baby" Dodds is known as the world's first great jazz drummer. His approach to jazz drumming is still in use today. His drums were tuned resonant, melodic and harmonic, He was the first to make the bass drums' rhythmic undercurrent the foundation of the band. Dodds is credited with being the first drummer to play fills and breaks between phrases and solos. He was also the first to fully interact with the ensemble by changing colors and textures according to the soloist. Born in New Orleans in 1898, he studied drums with Dave Perkins, Henry Zeno, and Louis Cotrelle. Through his illustrious career he backed up greats such as King Oliver, Fate Marable, Freddie Keppard, Lil Armstrong, Sydney Bechet, Mezz Mezrow, Art Hodges, Miff Mole and Louis Armstrong. He left New Orleans for the house drum chair at N.Y's famous Three Dueces from 1936 to 1939. Before Tony and Elvin, there was an even greater innovator. Mr. Warren "Baby" Dodds. Now go do your home work!! hahaha.. More soon, HASSY :-) << BACK