jazz Jazz JAZZ!

[KCDrummer]

Hey all, the UMKC band recorded some tunes a couple weeks ago and I finally got 'em! Most of the drum action is in the second halves of both tunes, but the ensemble stuff and the horn and piano solos are definately worth a listen too. Enjoy!

http://media.putfile.com/Essential-Trivia

http://media.putfile.com/Body--Soul-Trane

[tomgrosset]

Well man, after listening to it several times, I have to agree that these are some grand recordings. The band is tremendous, and I enjoyed the solos that came from the piano, the horn players, and the xylophone player as well. Some remarkable players for sure.

I like how you responded to the band with your interesting playing ideas, and your use of accentuation. Your fills and dynamics were also well accomplished.

Essential Trivia contained such enthusiastic playing from you and the entire ensemble.
Man, Body Soul Train is such a great song and you played it damn good too.

Thanks for posting. I'm gonna add these to my list of tunes.

[Drummer Karl]

Hey! Congrats for being in a great Big Band with some amazing musicians!
What I can I say? =) Well, the (de)crescendos were cooool of the horn and brass players. And you played incredibly good unisono with these...wow.

Also I`m so darn impressed about comping. just WOW. Can you tell us a few comping ideas between snare, bass and hi-hat?

Karl

[root]

well done!

It must be a fantastic job being drummer of this band, and you really deserve it.

all my respect.

[KCDrummer]

Thanks for the kind words fellas!

Karl, for comping, I always have my ears pinned to the soloist. You don't want to immitate everything the soloist plays, but you can pick up on melodic, rhythmic, and dynamic aspects of their solo and try to support them.

I also like to play some repeated figures, maybe all the way through a whole chorus. Listen to the other members of the rhythm section for this. It can really put the soloist and the listeners into a groove, and soloists really like it when you give them something they can riff off of.

About the snare, bass and HH, don't get so caught up with those three things that you forget about the ride cymbal. I'm a firm believer that anything a jazz drummer needs to do can be done (and should be done, first and foremost) with the ride pattern. All the other chatter is cool, but if your ride pattern suffers as a result, the swing and the groove are gone. If you listen to a player like Bill Stewart, he'll play all kinds of crazy dialogue between his bass, snare and HH, but his ride pattern is still swingin', rock solid.

[Drummer Karl]

About the snare, bass and HH, don't get so caught up with those three things that you forget about the ride cymbal. I'm a firm believer that anything a jazz drummer needs to do can be done (and should be done, first and foremost) with the ride pattern. All the other chatter is cool, but if your ride pattern suffers as a result, the swing and the groove are gone. If you listen to a player like Bill Stewart, he'll play all kinds of crazy dialogue between his bass, snare and HH, but his ride pattern is still swingin', rock solid.

mhhh, yes, I know. at the moment I do those comping things mainly between snare, HH and Ride or bass often. You know, my comping repertoire isn`t so big yet.
One thing I love to do is to play triplets between right hand, left hand and step hi-hat. Gives a great feeling while the actual beat is going on, it`s also a nice melody if you repeat it here and there. It`s simple but also just a basic idea I had. I also told Tom Grosset my idea in his thread.
also I wrote it down:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/Drummer_Karl/Bild024.jpg

...and one of many Drori excercices which are soooo interessting because of that "question-answer" game between bass and snare:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/Drummer_Karl/Bild028-1.jpg

or a comping idea over 7/8?

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/Drummer_Karl/Bild029-1.jpg

or something over 3/4:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/Drummer_Karl/Bild030.jpg

as I said, just some basic ideas I had and always have...lol

Karl

[tomgrosset]

Indeed it is. The ride cymbal is essential and KC displays this really well.

Yeah, Karl, you can really hear those ideas in Elvin's playing as I said before.

[Drummer Karl]

Indeed it is. The ride cymbal is essential and KC displays this really well.

Agreed...and I`m always angry about myself if I don`t follow this importance. and yes, he shows that very well...and you Tom, too from what I`ve heard.

Karl

[brittc89]

I love your playing man! I thought it sounded great. So jazzy and a great interaction with the big band. A lot of times you here guys play in a big band and they forget they are part of the band, but i thought you did a really great job. Good band too, for sure. I love how clean those set-ups you are pulling out are too, the three sixteenth note triplets into the sixteenth note and the the kick on the and of one or whervever. And I am also really diggin what you are making happen with your solo breaks. I dont have any negatives, I thought it was fantastic college big band playing, I hope by the time im in college I can work a band like you do. Good stuff man.

[boomboomda]

Great playing KC, great playing.

[KCDrummer]

Thanks guys!

Britt, I'm glad you mentioned drummers who forget they're part of the band too. It's easy to lose sight if what we're there to do and try to turn it into the next Buddy Rich Tribute Concert. A few years ago, I would have wanted to hi-jack that recording session and cram all of "me" onto the record that I possibly could. I can't say I'm not still a little bit guilty of it, but I'm trying more and more to just do my job, do it well, and let that be its own reward. Thanks!

[bobo]

Very good job man...

[Latin Groover]

Nothing new to say here. That was very tasteful playing KC, i really loved Essential Trivia myself. Great playing. Loved your fills at the end, and the latiny feel after it was cool.

[HardcoreLogo]

Lovin' the vibes!! Your drum parts are full of colour!

[KCDrummer]

Thank you sirs!

I WISH I could say that was me playing the vibes, but it is Chris Carlson, a great vibist who has come to UMKC after a stint with the Marine Band.

[marcibischi]

hi , have someone of you an idea what is a good jazz song ?!! like James Brown , sunny ? or something like that !!??? marcibischi

[straks]

Your band is great, right from you out. I enjoyed listening to it.

[KCDrummer]

hi , have someone of you an idea what is a good jazz song ?!! like James Brown , sunny ? or something like that !!??? marcibischi

I wouldn't put James Brown in the jazz category. If you're looking for a jazz album, start with Miles Davis "Kind of Blue".

[marcibischi]

oh sry marcibischi

[dom]

are you playing with the set you built? everything sounds great. love it

[KCDrummer]

Yup, that's my baby, built 'em in '03.

[dom]

Yup, that's my baby, built 'em in '03.

they sound great. i got my shells for my first build today its more just a practice build but its gunna be fun!

[KCDrummer]

they sound great. i got my shells for my first build today its more just a practice build but its gunna be fun!

Cool! If you haven't already, you should check out my article, there's a link to it in my signature.

[d.c.drummer]

Wow i love. You and your band are very talented. I wish i could play in a band like that. when it switched to the latin part, i almost melted. the sound is soooo nice.