Mike Clark's performance of "Actual Proof," on drums for Herbie Hancock's album Thrust, is considered to be the finest example of LINEAR DRUMMING. A truly amazing drummer, indeed. Gives me hope that I will be still playing in my 50's, 60's, and maybe beyond.
He’s older but old school is the thing many drummers wish they had in their style It’s molded in you and your hand grip through a life time I give my thanks so much to my mentors
Back in 1976 Mike and Paul were more or less neighborhood guys and I was lucky enough to jam with them half a dozen times. There was no combination of noises they could not make a funk beat out of. At the time, Thrust was my favorite record and it was kind of stunning that here I was playing with my rhythm section heroes. Total coincidence, my pal (kbd [player) calls up and say "hey wanna come over and jam? Oh by the way, Mike Clark & Paul Jackson are playing drums & bass." Me: "yeah, sure."
watched 11 mins 28 seconds of this and already heard what i think will be the most important lesson for me: He's talking about 16th notes on the hi-hat and says: "I will not ever play them straight". That's Mike Clark in a nutshell - and that's why he's so amazingly brilliant.
Thank you for the $1,000.00 lesson. I learned a lot, I’m 66 years old been playing since I was 10 which shows your never too old to learn or be inspired! 🙏🏻
I'm so glad I stumbled on this video. I've never heard Clark teach and speak his mind on R&B, funk and jazz. Love this vid I return to it every other month. Really getting what he's saying. Clark obviously is the world class best. Mat thanks for putting this together hope seeing more.
He started playing on the floor tom, drags and accents and stuff, nice trad grip at 4 or 5 then got house drummer after his dad heard it and took him to the local gig......... Nuts!!!!
Clark is really about making the music take front row. These days its about the drummer chops before the music. In my humble opinion Clark is world class pro. Love his playing with the Head Hunters.
