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John Ramsay's interest in playing drums began at the age of ten. He went on to study with jazz greats Joe Morrello, Max Roach, and Alan Dawson, leading to a two-year stint as the second drummer for Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He was one of the first teachers at the renowned Berklee College of Music, where he developed a holistic teaching philosophy which presents music as an avenue for students to discover their own humanity and form a happy life. After 38 years of teaching, John recently retired from Berklee. He’s authored several method books and continues to be active on the jazz scene. Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Vocalist Cathy Rich, daughter of the great jazz drummer Buddy Rich, began her career as a child, singing with her father's band. Honoring his wish for the band to continue after his death, she and husband, drummer Gregg Potter, record and tour the world fronting the Buddy Rich Band. Gregg began his career after winning a national drum contest in his home town of Chicago. Tasked with the challenge of filing the chair of arguably the world’s greatest drummer, Gregg responded with a keen understanding of big band jazz, and a great sense of humor. It's a far-ranging and fun-filled interview with them both, offered on the 103rd anniversary of the birth of the legend himself Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

John Mahon has been Elton John's percussionist for more than two decades. In this far reaching interview, Mahon talks about his initial move to L.A., drum lessons with David Garibaldi, auditioning for Sir Elton, adapting to life on the road, and much more. Assisting me in the discussion is Phil Hood, co-founder of DRUM! Magazine. Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron

During the US quarantine of 2020, Sean Kennedy revisited the popular 1700’s rudimental snare drum solo, "The Downfall of Paris." After discovering a little known fife part, Sean penned an arrangement for a percussion section with brass quintet. Friends Clayton Cameron and Bernie Dresel were enlisted as additional snare drummers. Over a two week period, the musicians began submitting their audio and video performances to Kennedy, who had them edited into a unique performance. Sean was joined by Clayton and Bernie for this interview, offered as our salute to this week’s Independence Day holiday. Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Matt Brennan is an author, musician, and academic. He is currently an Associate Professor in Popular Music at the University of Glasgow. His newest book is Kick It, A Social History of the Drum Kit. In it, he addresses the seeming contradiction between the centrality of the drum kit on one hand and the general disparagement of drummers on the other. He examines the roles of artists and manufacturers against a dynamic backdrop race relations, global migration, and the tensions between high and low culture Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Todd Sucherman, best known as the drummer for the band Styx and as an award winning educator, has a new album out under his own name, called Last Flight Home. Coproduced and cowritten by longtime friend, J. K. Harrison, Todd's, sensitive groove based drumming serves to reveal his talents as a solid song writer, producer and arranger, and surprisingly, as a first rate singer. Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Duduka Da Fonseca started playing drums when he was thirteen. He moved to New York City in 1975 and was the founder and leader of Brazilian All Stars, Brazilian Express, and the New York Samba Band. (pt 2 of 2) Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Duduka Da Fonseca started playing drums when he was thirteen. He moved to New York City in 1975 and was the founder and leader of Brazilian All Stars, Brazilian Express, and the New York Samba Band. He was a teacher at the Drummers Collective and wrote an instructional book, Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset. He is a founding member and co-leader of Trio Da Paz and leads the Duduka DaFonseca Trio. (Part two of two. Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Coping with Corona: Sabian CEO Andy Zildjian is my guest. Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Coping with Covid: a discussion with Sabian CEO, Andy Zildjian Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Duduka Da Fonseca started playing drums when he was thirteen. He moved to New York City in 1975 and was the founder and leader of Brazilian All Stars, Brazilian Express, and the New York Samba Band. He was a teacher at the Drummers Collective and wrote an instructional book, Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset. He is a founding member and co-leader of Trio Da Paz and leads the Duduka DaFonseca Trio. Part one of twohttp://www.drummernation.com/ Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Duduka Da Fonseca started playing drums when he was thirteen. He moved to New York City in 1975 and was the founder and leader of Brazilian All Stars, Brazilian Express, and the New York Samba Band. He was a teacher at the Drummers Collective and wrote an instructional book, Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset. He is a founding member and co-leader of Trio Da Paz and leads the Duduka DaFonseca Trio. Part one of twhttp://www.drummernation.com/ Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron  

Pelle Berglund’s new book, "Buddy Rich, One of a Kind,” offers a precise and highly detailed accounting of the events in the life of one of the foremost musical geniuses of the twentieth century. From Buddy’s early days as a child Vaudeville star, to his emergence as the most in-demand sideman of the swing era, to his eventual success with his own band, Berglund dots the landscape with the names of hundreds of musicians, band leaders, performances, and recordings. Buddy’s personal relationships with celebrities including Frank Sinatra and Johnny Carson are detailed. Never before seen photos complete this first rate accounting of the life and music of arguably the greatest drummer of all time. Click this link to enter to win a set of Istanbul Mehmet Shiny Black Bell cymbals: https://drumlink.com/category/contest/ Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron

Bill Goodwin began his professional career at the age of seventeen with saxophonist Charles Lloyd. During the 1960s, he worked with Art Pepper, Bud Shank, George Shearing, and many other jazz luminaries. In 1969, Bill moved east to work with Gary Burton and settled in the Pocono Mountains. In 1974, he became a founding member of the Phil Woods Quartet, remaining with Woods for some forty years as a drummer and record producer, and winning three Grammys. Crossing genres, he’s also worked with Tom Waits's and Jefferson Airplane. He’s been teaching at William Paterson University in New Jersey since 1970. Website       Newsletter       Become a Patron

Bill Goodwin began his professional career at the age of seventeen with saxophonist Charles Lloyd. During the 1960s, he worked with Art Pepper, Bud Shank, George Shearing, and many other jazz luminaries. In 1969, Bill moved east to work with Gary Burton and settled in the Pocono Mountains. In 1974, he became a founding member of the Phil Woods Quartet, remaining with Woods for some forty years as a drummer and record producer, and winning three Grammys. Crossing genres, he’s also worked with Tom Waits's and Jefferson Airplane. He’s been teaching at William Paterson University in New Jersey since 1970. Website         Newsletter         Become a Patron  

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and pioneering jazz-rock drummer, Danny Seraphine, is a founding member of the legendary band Chicago.The iconic group has earned 23 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums, as well as 21 top-ten singles. In 2016 Danny and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Critically acclaimed as an instrumentalist and a composer,  Danny Seraphine is considered a founding father of jazz rock drumming, and was ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the top 100 drummers of all time.  We had a great conversation about his highly influential style and how he developed it, as well as the content of today's music scene. Website         Newsletter         Become a Patron  

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and pioneering jazz-rock drummer, Danny Seraphine, is a founding member of the legendary band Chicago.The iconic group has earned 23 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums, as well as 21 top-ten singles. In 2016 Danny and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Critically acclaimed as an instrumentalist and a composer,  Danny Seraphine is considered a founding father of jazz rock drumming, and was ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the top 100 drummers of all time.  We had a great conversation about his highly influential style and how he developed it, as well as the content of today's music scene.      

New Orleans drummer Johnny Vidacovich is an expert in the unique Second Line musical drumming tradition. He is highly sought after for his contributions in styles from jazz and Dixieland to blues and R&B. No drummer's trip to New Orleans is complete without hearing Johnny play at one of the many local venues. What do you ask a living legend to talk about on his own show? Anything he wants to...Unscripted. Website         Newsletter         Become a Patron

New Orleans drummer Johnny Vidacovich is an expert in the unique Second Line musical drumming tradition. He is highly sought after for his contributions in styles from jazz and Dixieland to blues and R&B. No drummer's trip to New Orleans is complete without hearing Johnny play at one of the many local venues. What do you ask a living legend to talk about on his own show? Anything he wants to...Unscripted.

At the age of 23, Los Angeles drummer Paul Kreibich got his first major jazz gig with the great jazz singer Carmen McRae. Paul later auditioned for Ray Charles, was hired on the spot, and toured with Charles for four years. He became a first call LA drummer, working with jazz luminaries Mose Allison, Anita O'Day, Rosemary Clooney and Lee Konitz. His recording credits include Dianne Reeves, Bob Cooper, Conte Candoli, Cedar Walton,  Kenny Burrell, Gene Harris, and many others.  Paul continues to tour, record and perform locally. He's now on the music faculty at Cal State Fullerton and teaches privately.