Best Drummers in the World at the Moment? 

Who did I miss? Let’s fight!

I feel the most slept on is Chris Coleman. I've seen and heard some best drummers in the world fangirl over Chris Coleman's playing and call him their favorite, but don't really see him pop up much in discussions outside that sphere.

The best drummer list must include any drummer ever hired by Frank Zappa, most notably Bozzio and Colaiuta.

where are Marcus Gilmore and Ronald Bruner Jr????

Elliot Hoffman of Car Bomb is the heaviest drumming of today.

Mike Mitchell

Larnell makes me want to play the drums, he's that inspirational. Add to the list: Gergo Borlai and Roberto Porta

Virgil Donati. Arguably the most technically advanced drummer to have ever lived!

How do you not include El Estepario?

Everybody leaves out the great Sonny Emory, Dafnis Prieto, Keith Carlock, JoJo Mayer, Jeff Tain watts But I get how hard it would be to make a list of the "best' because there is to many not to mention....

Nate Smith and Benny Greb. Very few drummers can match their magical, ineffable sense of groove and pocket. It's a mysterious thing that happens somewhere in the grid that we mortals haven't discovered.

I think when it comes to musicality and expression there is no better drummer than Brian Blade

Look at Ramon Montagner’s session videos on Meinl’s channel. Incredible Brazilian drumming, very technically innovative but also disciplined in the sense that he stays musical.

Vinnie Colaiutta?

Chris Dave, Thomas Pridgen and Mike Mitchell… Aaron Spears (RIP) Ronald Bruner ??

I've had the pleasure of seeing two of these drummers live, Nate Smith and Matt Garstka absolutely incredible and in very different ways lol I recorded one of the tunes Nate Smith played and I listen to it and I'm just in awe how literally every single hit is perfectly timed for the pocket. Not a single microrhythm misplaced, and this was in the middle of a *second live show in a row* that night And then, the feeling I got when Matt came in on Arithmophobia... indescribable

Not seeing Marco minnemann mentioned should be a crime. Dude can play literally any genre. Can solo amazingly. And, cmon. The man played with necrophagist of all bands and KILLED it.

Bit scabby to say Ari Hoenig is "slept on" in the thumbnail but not bother to feature him in the video. He deserves better

I don't believe most popular drummers are the best ones! My favorites are Eric Moore II, Maison Guidry, Mike Mitchell, Chris Coleman, Tony Royster Jr.!

Maaan thats a good video there. I appreciated all of your honest opinions. But if we put them in a concept like ‘’todays drummers “ Danny Carrey shouldnt be there. Dont get me wrong i worship Danny but if we talk “ at the moment” Mark Guiliana , Ari Hoenig , Marcus Gillmore these guys changing the shape of Today’s Not only jazz music , Music in general. Very cool content by the way. Thank you

Metal guy here just saying that that Spencer Prewitt from Archspire should be on this list. He is the fastest drummer in extreme metal. Also Navene Koperweis and Jamie St Merat.

Chris Dave, Benny Greb, Gergo Borlai

No jazz drummers allowed rick Allen of def leopard is the best drummer

Maison Guidry is the King! Jay Kalo is also great!

Tim Alexander is probably one of the most underrated drummers out there. His drumming is peak musicality.

nekrutman?

Baard Kolstad from Leprous

The whole idea of “best drummer in the world” is ridiculous at best.

JD Beck bruv. Clean, new approach to rhythm, maximizes the minimal, and his age makes him seem way more advanced than any other drummer when they were his age. But you made an awesome list here either way.

Add to the sleepers: Nate Smith, Aaron Mellergard and Roni kaspi.

Steve Gadd

If you like Garstka, check out the new Tigran Hamasyan records! Oh and Casimir Liberski - Cosmic Liberty, ah stellar (pun intended) modern jazz album

Larnell Lewis Just needed 20 minutes to make me fall in love for drums. i listem música and like drums since ever. But it wasn't Nico macbran from iron maiden (The Band of my life), wasn't Jhon Bonann, neither Mitch Mitchel. Was him, Larnell Lewis.

For sheer virtuosity, power, incredible double bass and mind bending rhythms....it’s Virgil donati for me....there are others of course like Thomas Lang etc in that realm...but me for me Virgil is the pioneer for face melting drumming, pushing the boundaries if you will of the instrument....

There's so many spectacular drummers out there, but subjectively the drummer that makes me feel the music the most is hands down Baard Kolstad. The way he uses grooves and dynamics smooths out anything he plays over in a way I'm having trouble describing

Mike portnoy? He is back

I saw Maison Guidry live without knowing who he was yet. Wow did I get lucky to find that show! Easily one of my favorite drummers now, but I think he's not getting promoted enough. Its hard to find a lot of content for him even searching for him specifically

The sound of Gavin Harrison's Sonor kit at the Zildjian 400th anniversary celebration alone is as impressive as any of the drummers here.

Awesome video, really accurate descriptions of the drummers. Going to see Yussef Dayes in London in August, can't wait!!

ii from Sleep Token.

Edit: you put Ari Hoenig in the thumbnail but didn’t even include him in the video?! Shameful. Clicked because I saw Ari Hoenig in the thumbnail. His use of melody on the drum set is so unique and he can groove hard.

You are SOOOOOO ON POINT. I was waiting for Danny. No one plays like him. Great job man!

ii sleep token

Now so many drummers that it is virtually impossible to say which are the best ones.

Gavin Harrison and Carter Beauford

Carter Beauford anyone?!

Senri Kawaguchi

The biggest 'sleeper' I know of is Joel "JT" Taylor. Joel has played all over the world with many big names, but too few seem to know of him. Look up his solo with the late/great Allan Holdsworth (Letters of Marque from the LIVE Galaxy Theater show) and you'll know why I chose to study with him. He's very musical (beginning as a trumpet player), and can play any genre required of him. Another 'sleeper' from the world of Latin/Afro-Cuban drumming is Jimmy Branly. I got to see him live recently, and became a huge fan instantly. You just can't stop moving, or smiling, while listening to him play! Some of my top faves include: Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets), Gregg Bissonette, Larnell Lewis, Vinnie Colaiuta, Manu Katche, Robert 'Sput' Searight, Gary Novak, Chris Coleman, Sonny Emory, Nate Smith, and Peter Erskine.

Chad Smith has earned numerous accolades for his drumming skills, including being named one of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Nah...I feel like I can play like these guys. No big deal. Beat Virgil. He's the all-time champ. Marco Minniman is up there too. Everyone else is within reach of top-level RU-vid drummers, I think.

You had me up until Danny Carry. Great drummer, but you over look Marco Minnemen and NO ONE ever puts Billy Martin on a list SMH. However, very happy to NOT see NP or JHB!! Best list I’ve seen to this day and prolly more accurate!!

Virgil Donati

RONALD BRUNER JR. nuff said

It's impossible to fit all the drummers into a list of 10, but I do feel like Dave DiCenso gets a bit slept on. His modern drummer performance from 2006 is an astounding display of mastery. Top educator too.

I feel Baard Kolstad is not mentioned enough. He is a monster, very versatile, technical, musical and groovy. My current favorite with Danny Carey in another style ;)

In the metal world, Eloy’s been the ‘talk of the town’ for quite some time now…

Got absolutely baited with Ari Hoenig in the thumbnail, still, good list

The fact that you included Maison made me subscribe. My sister married his uncle and he played my set at their wedding and reception. The way his mind works is a masterclass in improv. I’ve never heard him play metal but he plays everything else well.

Robert 'Spud' Searight

Carter beauford for me is more irreplaceable than Danny Carey and plays more interesting and creative stuff. The band would end without him or Dave. Instantly.

I thought a lot about, who is the best, but there won't be a clear answer, I guess. There are so many FANTASTIC drummers out there, and every one of them has such a lot to say. I can agree with Danny Carey as one of the GOATs anyway.

Johnny Mathar (Yoni Madar) is incredible. His precision, coordination, control, & feel with complex polyrhythms is mind blowing. Would like to see him play with a band, but it seems like he has no interest in that

Brooks Wackerman from Avenged Sevenfold. The most versatile drummer in the world.

“Best” is subjective and speed doesn’t make a drummer great in my opinion. It’s all about patterns that sound good and compliment the song. One of my favorites - Carter Beauford

Gavin Harrison would have been one pick for me, just incredible musicality and feel

So much comedian,...There is one handed covers of a most famous metal songs and he has almost 4 millions subscribers in you tube.. The invisible guy from Spain....

Add Tomas Haake 🎉

Some drummers that needs to be consider; Jojo Mayer Louis Cole Thomas Lang Anika Niles El Estepario Siberiano Brett Clur ;)

For me it has to be Marcus Gilmore. His innovation, flow and musicality is just mind-bogglingly good.

Dave Weckl,Vinnie Colaiuta,Gergo Borlai.Eric Moore?

GOAT? No, but almost. GOAT status is reserved for The Professor, may he rest in peace.

Marcus Gilmore for sure, and I have to mention JD Beck and Louis Cole.

Keith carlock and Gavin Harrison are some of the most creative and musically sound drummers not featured on this list

🤦‍♂️ Bro this List funny af. U got only like 2 of them ok: maison, nate, maybe matt i can agree

Hard not to make a bigger list. There’s many more…two off the top of my head are Mark Guiliana and Aric Improta.

The best drummers of all time included any drummer who was ever hired by Frank Zappa.

How is II “Sleep Token Drummer” That drummer is a modern day Danny Carey….

Drumming is not a sport. There’s not a who’s best. It’s art. What a You tube $ grab.

Awesome video ! 🎉 And ofcourse can't forget El Estepario, this guy insane

Kenny Grohowski. Check him out with John Zorn's Chaos Magik.

I am a mediocre drummer at best and I swear that to my ear there's a horseshoe where people that are bad drummers sound messy and confused, but also drummers that are outstanding also sound messy and confused.

Tom Rainey, the "Messi" of the avantgarde jazz drummers. Unlimited imagination and creativity.

Just had to make sure Garstka was on your list or else we were fighting. Great list.

Maison gouidry gives me Hella Zach Hill vibes. So dope.

Most of them sound the same. There’s very few that really have they’re own sound

My top 5 favorite drummers 1. Larnell Lewis 2. Thomas lang 3. Calvin Rodgers 4. Eloy c 5. Thomas Pridgen

Morgan Simpson is my pick. his drumming with black midi is extremely good. its sad they seem to have broken up now though..

Yoni Madar

Wer is mike portnoy ?

Love Garstka, but i doubt he could swing in jazz.

Nah Tony had that something that seems to be missing today!

Kendrick scott and perin moss for me

Horatio 'eo negro' Hernandez, Gavin Harrison......(Ian Paice)

we all trying to avoid acknowledging how good marcus gilmore is?

I guess a lot would depend on what style of music one would like. Robert "Sput" Searight, Aaron Spears, Eric Moore, Sonny Emory, George "Sparky" McCurdy, John Blackwell Jr., Chris Coleman, Stanley Randolph, Chris Patrick Bounds, Calvin Rodgers, Senri Kawaguchi,etc etc, etc.

Did you go to jazz fest? Yussef Dayes was epic

Go watch Anything from Morgan Agren…we’ll wait while you make a new video 😂

All great drummers of drumismus. Shows also your taste. There are plenty „best drummers“ in the world who play different styles of music. If you want dig deeper into music and be amazed by something new for you, and hopefully challenging the stupidity of the idea of a „contest“ you’ll find them fast. Just for a good start a name: Tyshawn Sorey

So glad you mentioned Danny by far my all time favorite his drum parts are out of this world 🌀

My top five: 1 Larnell Lewis 2 Dave Weckl 3 Benny Greb 4 Nate Smith 5 Steve Smith I love Yussef Dayes, probably in my top 10 with Steve Jordan, Jost Nickel, Juan Carlito Mendoza, Isac Jamba