The one on that record is ''Its a blue world.'' His specialty was definitely brushes. He was ambidextrous and often began phrases with the left hand, unconventionally.
This is one of my favorite all-time underrated drum set performances ever, and it's by a "percussionist". The part later in 4/4 is just as heavenly... Who knew Airto could play kit so amazingly!
Jebus, how was Specs so undersung?!?! His phrases seem so advanced for that time. I’ve been working on just the first 4 trade on Lil’ Darlin with Red Garland and it’s just so hip. How he came up with it so effortlessly is mind blowing to me. Great job and great demonstration!
Ha! This is great. thank you! I can't tell you how relieved I was when I found out he was doing the cymbal with his hand, and not splashing the hi hat, which is so hard to make sound so consistent! I am surprised that more drummers did not emulate this style, or build upon this Marching band approach. This would make great accompaniment over lots of music and good grist for variation improvisation.
Nice! That phrase is the same as the line "My mama done told me" from "Blues In The Night." Check outel Torme's vocal phrasing of that line from the album by Buddy Rich and Mel Torme "Together Again, For The First Time."
Jeremy thanks for all your posts of the great drummers very very appreciated Now a special request for you? You forgot to give us a lesson for Buddy Rich? How can you forget Buddy Rich? I would love for you to give us a demonstration exercise for some buddy rich can you do that for me and many many buddy rich fans?
Fantastic Transcription. Elvin is Difficult to follow. Jeremy how do You train your brain, to adjust to To include 3 to 5 different ideas In a 4 bar phrase? For example He might start with a fast paradiddle Between rack Tom and snare. Followed by new idea parradiddle With off beat accents on floor Tom Then last idea resolve with last part Of your fill demonstration above!
Great stuff. A band I play with began doing Tony William's "Sister Cheryl" last summer. His basic groove on that is a direct homage to Fournier's Poinciana. I also love Jeff Hamilton's take on his version. Nothing feels better than a swampy N'awlins groove.
In 1972 I was a freshman in college with the extent of my Jazz knowledge being the big band stuff we played in high school (Basie, Kenton etc.) which was great but I was lacking exposure to other influential material. An upper classman invited me to his place one evening to listen to some "sides" after his wife put their daughter to sleep. The first thing he played for me was Bitch's Brew. Right over my head and he knew that there was no way I was going to comprehend that. Next up was Dave Holland's "Conference of the Birds," an even less accessible yet intriguing recording. It somewhat piqued my curiosity but I was still puzzled by the advanced concept. Then, he puts on "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs." I'm sitting there totally entranced and soaking all this in thinking, "oh my God this is the most incredible playing I've ever heard!" I was hooked and ran out and got that record the next day and nearly wore it out. Haynes' playing was captivating and it also started my fanatic love affair with the music of Chick. But Roy's light, dancing and melodic playing just grabbed me. Shortly after I was digging Airto's drumming on "Light as a Feather" and the stuff a young Steve Gadd was putting down with Chuck Mangione's quartet. The 70s was a marvelous decade for discovery. There was so much out there to absorb and throughout those years the listening parties at different people's dorm rooms and apartments were some of the best learning experiences ever.
