Drummer/Composers

[Sundog]

Been thinking about this topic on and off for quite some time. Found an interesting article from Jazztimes on the very subject.

Jazztimes Article

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

No mention of Ben Dixon.

MG

[Sundog]

The article is far from comprehensive but interesting none the less. Denzil Best comes to mind as a big omission.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

The article is far from comprehensive but interesting none the less. Denzil Best comes to mind as a big omission.

Indeed - and Pucho and Idris.

I also didn't notice Cecil Brooks III or Winard Harper in there.

MG

[AllenLowe]

I think it's John LaPorta in his autobiography who talks about hearing Max Roach in a practice room at the Manhattan School of Music, playing, interestingly, very good classical piano -

[sonnymax]

Why would one assume that a drummer who composes music is a rarity? Is it because the drums aren't as "musical," "melodic," or "harmonic" as other instruments? That's nonsense. Some of my favorite drummers today--Andrew Cyrille, Matt Wilson, Paul Motian, Bill Stewart--have written many wonderful songs with great melodies and tight arrangements. Drummers also make great band leaders--they're at the center/heart of it all.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Why would one assume that a drummer who composes music is a rarity? Is it because the drums aren't as "musical," "melodic," or "harmonic" as other instruments? That's nonsense.

Damn right! Good thinking!

MG

[Guy Berger]

Why would one assume that a drummer who composes music is a rarity? Is it because the drums aren't as "musical," "melodic," or "harmonic" as other instruments? That's nonsense.

I don't think it's nonsense. You can become a good jazz drummer without a proficient technical understanding of melody and harmony, but that's not true of most other instruments.

I think it's interesting that the "drummer composer" only really emerged in the post-bebop era.

Edward Vesala also deserves mention here.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I think it's interesting that the "drummer composer" only really emerged in the post-bebop era.

What about Roy Milton? (Just the first name that popped into my mind.)

MG

And the second name that popped into my mind, was that of Chick Webb.

MG