Drum Set
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Art Blakey was a popular drummer starting in the 1940's. He played with the Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra and the Billy Eckstine group where he started to hit the public scene. In the late 40's he co founded the Jazz Messengers, an extremely popular group that continued to gig for many years. Art was known for his aggressive style of drumming, hard hi-hat beats on 2 and 4 and African and Indian drumming influences.
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Buddy Rich is arguably one of the best drummers of all time. He began playing when he was very young, even playing on Broadway at the age of 4. He made his big jazz appearance by playing with Tommy Dorsey's band in the late 30's. He was a funny and charismatic person, leading to many t.v. appearances and segments of his playing, making him a well known 'pop' star. Rich was known for his ridiculous drumming speed and dexterity, especially since he never took drum lessons. He learned mostly by ear, and had tremendous natural rhythm.
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Gene Krupa was an extremely popular and talented drummer and bandleader of the swing era. He was known for his energetic style and showmanship. He became a national celebrity with the big hit 'Sing, Sing, Sing' with the popular Benny Goodman orchestra. Krupa left the group to start his own band in the early 40's. He appeared in multiple films and even had a film biography of himself created in 1959. He was known for making drums become an instrument that could take improvised solos just like the horns.
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You can't go wrong when two of the greatest jazz drummers go head-to head in a drum battle! This is Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich showing it up for the audience.
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Elvin Jones was a popular drummer if the later Be bop era. He spent many years early in his life in the military, and it wasn't until later in his life he began being recognized as a drummer when he joined the John Coltrane quartet. He also led many small performing groups of his own.
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Joe Morello was best known for his drumming with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, where he often had multiple chorus drum solos. He has a softer style to his drumming, even using his bare hand in the second video, and he had great talent for playing in the 5/4 and 3/4 time signatures that Brubeck was writing. The song Take Five was easily one of the Quartet's most famous songs, and has a well known drum solo by Joe.