Impressions

A friend suggested that I "review" other drummers here, and so I will. Feel free to offer suggestions via email.

Alex Acuna: Such a wise, brilliant musician. Are there any rhythms he doesn't know? He plays with such taste, feel, and passion. One of the greatest drummers of our time, and a paragon of Christian humility.

Carter Beauford: Carter's playing with the Dave Matthews Band pretty much shatters the lie that drumming must be simple to work in a pop context. He plays what he feels, and it works perfectly. Those songs would not groove the way they do without his syncopations. His feel is phenomenal- so fluid, yet precise.

Terry Bozzio: Probably my favorite drummer, ever. Terry's innovative use of linear drumming with short, dry sounds since early in his career has really influenced my playing. His development of melodic ostinato drumming of course influenced me to try it too. I believe that he has revolutionized the drummer's role in ways that may take years to be fully digested. I think, though, that what makes Terry stand out is simply that, whatever he plays, his personality comes shining through. It is all self-expression. He's a capital-"A" Artist.

Todd Bragg: One-half of Caedmon's Call's dynamic duo, Todd's creative, solid drumming is a huge part of that band's groove. He's a great percussionist as well.

Bill Bruford: Bruford is another extreme personality, though "extreme" probably isn't the right word for this gentle, dignified Englishman. What I mean is, he has his own distinctive voice. I love his use of polyrhythm, the "final frontier" of our instrument.

Garett Buell: Garett is one of my favorite percussionists, and he's also an amazing drumset player. He has a knack for placing the right sound in the right place. Go see Caedmon's Call live and thrill to his exploits (or just buy, oh, any recent Christian album)! And that setup- to think I get grief for my drumset!

Danny Carey: I really like Danny's playing with Tool. His use of the toms is very cool. He's a thoughtful, very precise and melodic drummer. His double-bass playing is very creative. I love his command of odd meter. It's a shame such an obviously gifted and intelligent man would allow himself to be deceived with all the occult mumbo-jumbo he's into.

Bun E. Carlos: Bun E.!!!! He rules. Cheap Trick would not work without him. The perfect rock n' roll drummer for the perfect rock n' roll band, and a great guy.

Dennis Chambers: A phenomenal drummer. The muscle of Tony Williams and Billy Cobham with a funky feel. He's one of the most copied drummers around, IMO, but he's an original.

Jim Chapin: One of the drumming community's treasures. There simply is not a more enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and gentlemanly teacher in our midst. Jim downplays his astounding technique by attributing it all to the teachings of Sanford Moeller, but he is the one who earned it. I hope, someday, to achieve only half of what he has accomplished. My delight in teaching has come largely from what I have learned about education from Jim.

Vinnie Colaiuta: Terry Bozzio has called Vinnie "probably the best drummer alive right now". I wouldn't disagree with that at all. He is the master. His simple playing is all groove and feel, and he pulls off mind-boggling complexities with the greatest of ease. He is a Buddy Rich, a Tony Williams, a Steve Gadd. He has changed drumming, and his influence will always be felt.

Stewart Copeland: I really liked the Police in my youth. I'm only now realizing what an influence Stewart was in my playing. I'll do something on the hi-hat and think "Hey, I'm doing Copeland". His use of space and his energy are amazing. Another fine example of a drummer whose playing is complete self-expression. He rushes, though. ;-)

Jerome Dillon: Nine Inch Nails' drummer has the perfect gig: interesting, challenging music, arena tours and he gets to be the Crow every night. What more could you ask of a rock gig? And Jerry is a great drummer. He's solid, inventive, and seamlessly blends in with all the sequencing going on around him.

Virgil Donati: Outstanding chops, incredibly inventive, and most of all, a work ethic second to none. Virgil cares about his drumming more than just about anyone, I think.

Alan Doss: Alan is a fine drummer and a great guy. His playing with the Galactic Cowboys perfectly suited the band. I think of him as John Bonham meets Ringo Starr. And I liked his big ol' bass drum! Also, I know from first hand experience what a challenge it was to keep up with David Von Ohlerking.

Nick D'Virgilio: Nick deftly handles the many twists and turns of Spock's Beard's music, from full out Prog-Rock to the poppier stuff. He's great. I like his playing a lot.

Dom Famularo: Drumming's "Goodwill Ambassador" is such a great guy, it sometimes overshadows his great playing. Dom is an incredibly gifted drummer, and his enthusiasm is infectious.

Steve Gadd: When I think of Mr. Gadd, I think of a tune he played with the Buddy Rich band in which he played simple quarter notes on the ride, and 2 and 4 on the hi hat, and it killed me. That, more than his chops, more than his innovations, sums up what Steve Gadd is to the drums. No one can play like he does.

David Garibaldi: I love David's playing. He helped invent the linear funk style that I love to play in. His work with Michael Spiro and Jesus Diaz in Talking Drums is inspired, and a gift to all the rest of us.

Tommy Igoe: Tommy just kills. What a great all-around drummer. And he's a fantastic educator.

Akira Jimbo: Unbelievable chops. Jimbo-san is so typically Japanese-I can imagine him diligently practicing for hours to attain his incredible ability. You can see the thought and logic behind his performances, yet his feel and groove are so obvious as well. He radiates joy when he plays. An inspiration.

Manu Katche: Mssr. Katche has really had an effect on my approach. His rhythms are so elegant-not a lot of notes, just the right notes. I love his use of splash cymbals and toms. His feel is unbelievable; his grooves just dance. He's a perfect blend of African-influenced drumming married to Classical sophistication with a lot of R&B soul.

Michael Mangini: Mike's a huge influence on me right now. His method books are groundbreaking. Every musician should check them out. I have seen pretty much all the great drummers up close, and I have never seen any one of them with more sheer physical prowess than Mike. His playing, however, is not all chops-he plays with great taste and feel. Mike is also one of the funniest people alive, yet he is also one of the most thoughtful and intelligent drummers out there.

Marco Minnemann: Wow. Marco has skills. I love the way he plays. I especially like the way he can incorporate many different sounds into his grooves in such musical ways. His book on "Interdependence" is awesome.

Neil Peart: I'm not as into Rush as I was as a kid, but I still have very fond memories of trying to play along with "the Professor". After years and years of being known as "the best", Mr. Peart was not content to rest on his laurels but instead took lessons. How amazing is that? That's the kind of man he is. I get really upset when Neil gets criticized for overplaying or for not having feel. The man can sit down and explain the reason for every note he plays. How many "less is more" drummers can do that? Not many.

Mike Portnoy: I really don't listen to a lot of Dream Theater, but what I've heard of Mike is pretty impressive. I really like the things he says in his interviews. He's very honest about what he does and how he likes to play. That's what music is supposed to be: one honestly plays what one feels. If what one feels is a bazillion notes played down a lot of toms in 13/8, then that's what needs to be played! We need that. I'm glad there are guys like Mike who feel that way, and who prove it can be as successful as anything else, if one works hard.

Buddy Rich: What can I write that hasn't been written? If you're too young to remember him, buy Buddy Rich:The Legend. You need to see him play.

Doudou Ndiaye Rose: Doudou is a master sabar drummer from Senegal. He composes and conducts elaborate pieces performed by him with up to 50 other drummers. Producer Eric Serra has called him "the most amazing rhythmatist on the planet". That may very well be true. He exudes a deep drumming wisdom, that kind of cool power that many African drum masters possess.

Chuck Silverman: Mr. Silverman is one of the best teachers of Latin rhythm that there is. He is also an amazing drummer. The ease with which he plays, and the taste and appropriate-ness (is that a word?) of his drumming is beautiful. He is also an incredible gentleman, as I found out years ago when we hosted him for a drum clinic.

Steve Smith: Another huge influence of my youth. I was a big Journey fan. Mr. Smith is another example of an elite level drummer who still has enough humility, and desire for excellence, to study and practice his craft. And so, he just keeps getting better. Amazing.

Billy Ward: Billy is too cool. That's about the best description of his playing I can give. He's just too cool for words.

Dave Weckl: Hearing Weckl for the first time was like hearing Peart for the first time, earlier in my development. I hadn't heard that kind of playing before. He's only gotten better; here is yet another top drummer with the humility to go take some lessons.

Tony Williams: Most of the drummers I have raved about here list Tony as a major influence. That says a lot. He was a genius and a true innovator. Even if you've never played jazz, you as a drummer have been directly affected by Tony's influence. His power, touch and taste were awesome. We lost him entirely too soon.