tons of good books
but listening is far more important than any book
to play jazz correctly you need to first understand how to listen to jazz.
every time I say that people think it's some hoity toity jazz nazi stuff.......not at all....it's the truth
you cannot listen to jazz the way you listen to rock,funk, blues, pop or any other genre for that matter and "get it"....it is a completely different language...... completely .... constant conversation
to truly "get it" in my opinion you have to live it, breathe it, play it , and constantly take chances in your expression and challenge every musician on the band stand as if it was a friendly loving duel ...it is completely free and raw expression .....
most importantly you need your ride cymbal beat to be solid, authentic, driving, trustworthy , and unique to you .....this alone could take weeks , months, even years in some cases ....its a true development process ....own and completely internalize that quarter note and make it feel good.
without a solid ride beat....you could have all the independence in the world and nothing will sound right and no jazz player will want to be anywhere near you
KNOW MELODIES .......this is the main key to playing jazz in my opinion....just know tunes...even if you are unfamiliar with the form....know the melody and be able to hum it
these are things you don't get from books
as I have already said....but bears repeating....listen listen listen....then listen some more....listen to every jazz record you can get your hands on....then seek out more and listen to all of them multiple times......cannot express how important that is
listen so much that within 10 seconds of a tune you know who the drummer is by his distinct ride pattern and feel ......you know who the sax player is by his tone .....who the piano player is by his phrasing and attack....who the bass player is by his pocket alone
go see good jazz if it is in your area ....then go home and listen some more.....no substitute for listening to the guys who laid the pavement that we all drive on
as for book to get a grip on the vocab
all Rileys books....Art of Bop, Beyond Bop, Jazz Drummers Workshop....plus his DVD the Master Drummer
the drummers complete vocabulary as taught by Alan Dawson
the evolution of jazz drumming by Danny Gotlieb
Systems by Ari Hoenig
the essence of jazz drumming by Jim Blackley
Art Blakeys Jazz Messengers by John Ramsay
get yourself those and a copy of Syncopation (which I'm sure you have ) .......you will get an unbelievable amount of milage out of Syncopation ...the possibilities are endless
check out some Ralph Peterson videos ...they are great
I would recommend learning some of the famous solos as well...such as For Big Sid etc....
here are some great youtube channels
Tim Metz -
http://www.youtube.com/feed/UCBEzfbDywiscq_bWuAoXSCg
Justin Varnes at the JazzDrummersResourse -
http://www.youtube.com/feed/UC_OrSvwdr0OUz7lMVOmvxMw
Andrew Hare -
http://www.youtube.com/feed/UCpP1ZY7d96w94oHgzDVBQqw
jazz playing is a life long journey and a beautiful one......I hope you enjoy it
there are some killer jazz cats around here
Dmacc
8Mile
Haredrums
ToddBishop
Numberless
groove1
kafkapenguin
Brady
among others
....hit up this thread for much knowledge
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91887
you are a kick ass player Thaard.......I hope you dive into a life of jazz and fall in love as I did