While I was getting ready for this interview with Canadian drummer Mark Kelso, I listened quite extensively to his latest record Elementals with his own band The Jazz Exiles. One thing that struck me …
David Garibaldi – Fifty Years of Funk
It was some time in 1972, either a birthday or Christmas, as I sat on my bedroom floor excitedly stripping the plastic wrap off a three-album set I’d gotten as a present. It was called, Fillmore: The …
John “The Baron” Von Ohlen: May 31, 1941 – October 3, 2018
There’s no question–the legacy John Von Ohlen leaves behind has inspired countless musicians and will continue to encourage growth and exploration for all who come across his name. On October 3, we lo…
Yamaha Crosstown Hardware Pack – Review
Only twice in my years with Drumhead Magazine have I asked to review a product. I’m lucky in the fact that my relationship with the mag allows me the familiarity to approach them in this manner. I’m n…
Doc Sweeney Birdseye Maple Kit – Review
Doc Sweeney Drums is a custom drum company whose bread and butter centers around building steambent and stave drums. Their website states that they: “Specialize in building high-quality instruments us…
Louie Bellson: A Life of Persistence, Patience and Modesty
When we think of the great drummers that have walked this planet, several factors come into play when defining how greatness relates to that person. Of course, every drummer who can be referred to as …
Elvin Jones: Relax, I Got It
Few drummers have ever reached musical pinnacles and generated as much admiration as Elvin Jones did. He resides in the one-name pantheon of the greats of our instrument along with Gene, Buddy, Max, T…
Papa Jo Jones: High Praise
Jonathan David Samuel Jones was born on October 7, 1911, in Chicago, Illinois. The man known to so many as “Papa Jo” spent 74 years on this earth until he passed away after a valiant battle with cance…
Terri Lyne Carrington, on Legends Vol. 3
PAPA JO JONES I first met Papa Jo when I was 10 or 11. My dad used to take me to a club called Sandy’s [Melody Lounge, and later, Jazz Revival] in Beverly, Massachusetts; Papa Jo would play there some…
Mitch Mitchell, A Man So Experienced
When we hear the name Jimi Hendrix, our thoughts are inundated with a range of images and connotations. We’re tempted to imagine a fuzzy-haired silhouette tinted blue and purple, and associate it with…
Donn Carr: February 15, 1944 – October 17, 2018
There are those in our lives that not only influence and help guide us, but also leave a lasting impression and impact, and in my case, this case, an everlasting impression and life-long impact. I mus…
Provenance 1944 Rolls Royce Merlin XX V12 Snare – Review
Recently I was enjoying a night out with friends and I ordered a specialty cocktail made with a liquor ingredient which I never had before. Yes, this is a product review for a snare drum and I promise…