The legendary Steve Gadd

Dannar said:
I don't think anyone has posted this video yet, it's a really cool video with him playing brushes. You don't see a whole lot of him with brushes, which is surprising because he tears it up! Really great piano too, I keep finding my self paying more attention to it than to Gadd!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j8Ch5lU5dw&search=gadd


Gadd simply owns...Fatastic clip...I swear, learing how to play with brushes really makes you a better drummer overall...You can tell from this small sample that Steve Gadd was truley blessed with a gift...Not many are.
 
giantantreal said:
He is EASILY the most technical drummer at all time. And he grooves too. Oh yes, he grooves.

Well, the latter part is right. But how on earth do you reckon him a more technical drummer than Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Buddy Rich, Bill Cobham, Virgil Donati, Thomas Lang, Jo Jo Mayer or similar? He's not even close. And if you're talking about actual clean physical motion he's still not a patch on Vinnie, or Joe Morello, or Jim Chapin... or any number of great modern jazz players.
 
finnhiggins said:
Well, the latter part is right. But how on earth do you reckon him a more technical drummer than Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Buddy Rich, Bill Cobham, Virgil Donati, Thomas Lang, Jo Jo Mayer or similar? He's not even close. And if you're talking about actual clean physical motion he's still not a patch on Vinnie, or Joe Morello, or Jim Chapin... or any number of great modern jazz players.
About the technical part... Analazing Gadd solos, especially on Chick Corea records, makes you wonder if there's any post-1980 drummer that really invented new technique (ok, Colaiuta, Donati and Lang are out of the competition). Maybe Gadd isn't the fastest single-stroker, but his technique on the kit and in fills is really scary once you try it out yourself. Without Gadd, I wonder if Weckl would've gotten very far...
 
finnhiggins said:
Well, the latter part is right. But how on earth do you reckon him a more technical drummer than Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Buddy Rich, Bill Cobham, Virgil Donati, Thomas Lang, Jo Jo Mayer or similar? He's not even close. And if you're talking about actual clean physical motion he's still not a patch on Vinnie, or Joe Morello, or Jim Chapin... or any number of great modern jazz players.

Legend has it that Buddy Rich thought Steve Gadd was the best drummer in the world, after himself, of course. The reason is because, aside from Buddy, Gadd was the most musical drummer ever, and Buddy knew it. None of the drummers you've listed (other than Buddy), can compare to Gadd's musical phrasing and musical taste. THAT'S what makes Gadd, Gadd. Musical phrasing and musical taste. That's why Gadd, not Vinnie, JoJo, Lang, Virgil, et al., is the most studied and imitated drummer of all time, after Buddy Rich, of course.

As for technique, Gadd's technique is impeccable. He's a rudimental drummer with all the chops in the world. He may not have the fastest hands or feet, but, his control, feel, time are all supreme. NO ONE has ever played with the feel and time of Steve Gadd.
 
Henry II said:
Legend has it that Buddy Rich thought Steve Gadd was the best drummer in the world, after himself, of course. The reason is because, aside from Buddy, Gadd was the most musical drummer ever, and Buddy knew it. None of the drummers you've listed (other than Buddy), can compare to Gadd's musical phrasing and musical taste. THAT'S what makes Gadd, Gadd. Musical phrasing and musical taste. That's why Gadd, not Vinnie, JoJo, Lang, Virgil, et al., is the most studied and imitated drummer of all time, after Buddy Rich, of course.
.


I would have to disagree. I find Gadd, Vinne, Virgil, and Jo Jo's musical ability to be far better than Buddy's IMO...When I think of Buddy, "musical" is not something that jumps into my mind...Just my humble opinion.
 
Debating the merits of Gadds technique is a dead end. I would certainly point to some other already mentioned artists if a student wanted to study tehcnique. Steve's grip is unconventional but it's what works for him. Can other guys "outplay" him? Probably and I doubt that he would even argue that. The truth of the whole matter is that he is a complete musician and consistently contributes his artistry to any performer he works with, He can make something very simple sound so tasty. Eg: the little bass drum fill on the intro to Carly Simon's "You Belong To Me". Three notes that just fit the feel perfectly. I really can't think of any player who defines playing in the pocket any better than Gadd.
 
Steve Gadd is such a humble guy - but no doubt, he's the star. He is the only one - beside Charlie perhabs - who needs bodyguards at Pasic.

Take all these clinics: half full or half empty, people coming and going.

But the Steve Gadd Clinic: two hours before the show started, the lobby was packed. No chance to enter (...glad, that I have the backstage-pass - lol)

Then during the show: you could hear a needle drop. Full attention from the first note to the last. And he pulls out his well known licks and grooves - in such a beauty and clearness: drive tears in your eyes. And really impressive: standing just beside the man, hear the dynamics and attacks: again much more impressing than on videos or Dvd's.

And behind the curtains: the whole drummerworld community is watching: Ed Soph, John Riley, Steve Smith, Thomas Lang, Virgil Donati, Russ Miller, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Houghton, Stanton Moore, Jason Bittner, John Blackwell, Bernard Purdie....to name a few.

So it's clear:

STEVE GADD IS THE STAR OF DRUMMERWORLD

Bernhard

SteveGaddBernhard.jpg
 

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he really is. i don't know how, but somehow he was always the guy i kept coming back to on the site, no matter how many clips i still had to see.
 
Sorry folks, this is long….

I just read a few post's here regarding what the BIG fuss is about Steve as well as others criticizing his technique and chops (or lack of) … well here's my input on Steve.

I believe (and im in good company when I say this) part of what makes Gadd's "sound" so unique is that not only does he have great 'military chops' but 'jazz chops' as well ( he excelled at both styles at a very young age ) which inevitably would become his foundation for the studio work that would follow.

For instance, Steve had an uncanny ability to take rudiments and apply them to the kit and make the groove come to life. And you would never know that he was playing a rudiment, unless you took the time to dissect the groove (audio examples at bottom of page)

Stanton Moore is another very interesting drummer, who knows how to take a sticking pattern and apply it many ways around the kit musically…. But Steve was doing this on hit records in the 70's.

Lets talk about linear drumming and 4 way independence (as applied in linear drumming). Steve was without a doubt one of the originators of this style. Again, steve was pulling this stuff off musically on hit records (audio examples below) Check out Danny Gottlieb's quote, it's very interesting what he has to say.

There is MUCH more to Steve's drumming that I don’t even know how to put into words. To me, Steve's drumming will always be an enigma. His grooves are like riddles and I am constantly finding new things the more I "listen"

I guess if I had to choose just one word to describe why Steve has been so successful, then that word would have to be "feel" … Bernhard has mentioned this before, that its one thing to be able to play a Gadd groove/fill, but, it is a completely different matter in achieving his feel.

I remember reading that Paul Simon mentioned when some other drummers tried to play the "50 ways" the groove just didn’t feel/sound right even though the notes were correct. To me, this says it all.

But hey why listen to me, im just an average drummer.... So im including a few quotes from some of the greatest drummers in the world for their take on Gadd.


Danny Gottlieb (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Gil Evans, Pat Metheny)

"Another interesting topic to note....Gary Chester was another great, legendary NY studio drummer in the 60's and 70's, and later in life, after his incredible studio career, before his untimely passing in the 80's, became a world renown drumset instructor. I took some lessons with Gary, and was involved with helping him get started on a drumming text, which was later published as an instruction book called "The New Breed." Since Gary's passing, the book has become one of the main texts used in the study modern drumming, and specifically in styles that relate to the innovations of Steve Gadd!

A few months ago, I was cleaning out a box of old cassettes, and I saw one labeled: "Gary Chester 1 and 2." I figured that it was a tape of me practicing Gary's book. As it turned out, it was an interview tape, of me asking Gary specific questions, to be used for the introduction of the book! As it turns out, there are very few tapes of Gary's lessons, or even his voice. I turned the tape over to his family, and they are in the process of editing it for the purpose of including it in future releases of "The New Breed."

The reason I mention it, is many of the questions I asked Gary related specifically to Steve Gadd. The point I was making, in the discussion with Gary, was that the method book he was writing contained some very advanced groove and coordination ideas, that really were not found in the traditional studio drumming that Gary himself had played. When you hear him on "Bad Bad Leroy Brown", or "Do the Locomotion", or "Do You Believe in Magic?", the drumming was straight-ahead, as compared to the advanced coordination exercises in "The New Breed."

My point to Gary, as mentioned on the tape, was that when Steve Gadd started to be recognized as a studio performer, his groove style, with creative nuances, became an example of a CREATIVE drummer, whose drumming became accepted as a commercial style. It was something to me that was almost unheard of before Steve's influence. I have heard people mention that they feel Steve Gadd invented "Disco" because he used the device of playing off-beats on the hi-hat as a musical nuance. It became one of the main points of our conversation, and when the tape is released, I hope Steve's fans will enjoy hearing Gary's responses and comments. And, of course, Gary, loved Steve's playing as well!"


Peter Erskine;
"I can't think of another percussionist today who has inspired more drummers than Steve Gadd. His level of innovation, sheer technical mastery of the instrument, and dedication to the groove in every style of music he plays has delighted and instructed countless drummers in how good drumming can be. I'm grateful for every paradiddle, single and double stroke the man has ever played."

Vinnie Colaiuta;
" I couldn't believe it from the first time I heard Steve. Not only does he do what he does with technical brilliance, but he basically put the word "music" right in the forefront of the drums. His influence on me was tremendous, as well as his influence on the entire drumming and musical world!
Steve contribution to the music has made a huge impact in the way drummers play everywhere. He is unquestionably one of the most important drummers that ever lived. And he's totally unique. What Steve has to say on the drums every drummer needs to heed, for he'll show you how to play music at it's highest level. Thank you, Steve, for all you've given us. We are all deeply indebted to you."

Dennis Chambers
"Steve is one of the greatest drummers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. He caused me many a nights' headaches trying to figure out his rhythms, but I enjoyed doing it."

Kenny Aronoff;
"Steve Gadd is one of the greatest and most influential drummers/musicians ever! His feel, ideas and talent with music and drumming are at the highest level possible. It's an honor to know him."

Gregg Bissonette;
"Steve Gadd has been one of my drum heroes ever since I heard Chick Corea "The Leprechaun" album. I'm proud to consider Steve my friend. He's a great and every warm-hearted human being. He is a lesson on making the band feel good!"

Ringo Starr;
"If there is a finer drummer in Christendom I'm sure i don't know who it is."

Carter Beauford;
"I got my first Yamaha kit in 1978 because my hero, Steve Gadd, used them. I still play a black Recording Custom kit beacuse of him."

"Steve God."
What the musicians in Sheena Easton's band called Steve.

Steve Smith;
"His pocket is the deepest, his time is flawless and his ideas innovative. In fact, I get asked all the time about a certain fill I played in the Journey tune "Separate Ways", my answer: it's a Gadd lick, and I stole it! thank you Steve for all the incredible music"

Andy Newmark (former drummer of John Lennon, David Bowie, Keith Richards, Sly & the Family Stone, Roxy Music and many others.) ;
"Steve is an institution. When you see him play he makes it all make sense. The reason it always works is because Steve is playing Steve. He's probably the first guy to understand and have a genuine feel for rock and pop-and have the technical facility and feel of a jazz drummer as well. He's an original, poetry in motion"

Louie Bellson;
"Steve Gadd represents one of the most complete players in the world. He has it all, technique, groove, you name it. I've been a big fan of his for many years."

Danny Gottlieb (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Gil Evans, Pat Metheny)
"Steve is one of the originators of this style, and one of the great artists on the instrument. He was able to incorporate an individual style into something that was accepted into a commercial idiom.
Steve seems like one of the nicest guys on the planet-very real. I love him for his uniqueness-for that style he kind of invented. It's interesting to see where other drummers have taken it, like Weckl, Cliff Almond, Zach Danziger, and Tom Brechtlein. They've all drawn on Steve's style"

Dave Weckl;
"The first thing I remember hearing Steve on was Chick Corea's 'Humpty Dumpty'. When I heard him play, I lost it. After that, I listened a lot to Steve's work with Chick."

Buddy Rich ;
"I love drummers, but it disappoints me because they have not elevated the art of drumming. They've set it back quite a few years. I think the only guy who made a dent in the change-over, if you want to call it that, was Gadd. Steve Gadd was and probably still is, the best at that particular kind of drumming. I think that's because he has a jazz background, so he's able to incorporate it when he plays. He was very interesting in the beginning. Out of all the drummers I've heard, Gadd would have to be the one who has the most class behind the drums"



Zardoz said:
I'm not a Gaddhead and so far from what I've heard/seen, I really can't see why people bow down to him so much.

If someone can please list his...let's say 5 best drum parts (besides the obligatory Steely Dan songs), I'd appreciate it.

Only 5…well, when I was going through my collection I realised that there was soooo much great material to choose from that I just wanted to keep posting more and more tunes. But, I restrained myself and stopped at 20 :) seriously thou, i dont think i could give you 5 best drum parts, each one of these tunes have their own special place. Not to mention that Steve's discography is so huge, and i dont own everything the man has played. His best work is something that i probably havent even heard yet.... but, im pretty sure that these tunes that i posted would be up there on the best of list..... enjoy the short clips..
p.s. sorry i could not resist posting tune # 7 :)
 

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Ahhh, The Hustle. One of those songs you say; "Hmmmm, sounds like Gadd, but it couldn't be....could it?"
 
Thank you Berlioz for this in deep work - and the Soundfiles.

This is really a great contribution - also for the youngster drummers who are just discovering Steve Gadd finally - after have entered the drummerworld with TB and JJ.

A nice contrepoint to all these statements of drummers who just looking for the hair in the soup.

Bernhard
 
great stuff berlioz!! thanks!

i would like to add some other stuff, mainly
focussing on some jazz and jazz&rock tunes ...some in 5/4 , 3/4, 6/8....and
at the end some famous pop work.
also focussing on his outstanding brush work in some tunes, with
his very own chops ...


Steps - Uncle Bob
4:4soloing ....over a jazz peace from the studio recording: Step by Step -1980 1,3mb
Steps - Not Ethiopia
great solo from the live steps... from: Smokin' In The Pit - 1980 2,7mb
Manhattan Transfer - Confirmation
heavy jazz phrasing with trademark chops...from: Mecca for moderns -1981 0,8mb
Manhattan Jazz Quintet - Rosario
trademark licks in soloing a fast bebop tune - from: Manhattan Jazz Quintet - 1984 1,4mb
Bob Berg - Ramiro's Dream
6/8 groove - soloing with polyrhythms - open playing from: Riddles - 1994 2,3mb
Chick Corea - QUARTET NO. 2 - PART 2 solo
the solo - i think the most technically solo from gadd i know from: Three Quartets - 1981 3,2mb
Al Di Meola - Egyptian Danza
featuring his tricky hihat-snare-bassdrum trademark pattern in a rock context - from: Tour de Force Live - 1981 0,9mb
Eddie Gomez - Mez-Ga
duo with eddie gomez and gadd - gadd plays only with 1 bassdrumpedal...from: Gomez -1984 1,4mb
Eddie Gomez - A Japanese Waltze
fantastic brush work in a 3/4 jazz context from: Gomez - 1984 1,4mb
Lee Ritenour - French Roast
famous track with chops over 5/4 from: Feel The Night - 1979 1,7mb
Tribute to Jaco Pastorius - A Remark You made
outro soloing...the cd is booooahhh, great erskine, brecker ect. from:
Who loves You? - A Tribute to Jaco Pastorius - 1998 1,4mb
Steve Kahn - An Eye Over Autumn
his solo during the ride-out of "An Eye Over Autumn"(Rick Marotta's expression of disbelief listening to the playback, then looking over to Steve and saying, with great love of course, "I hate you!" from: The Blue Man - 1978 2,7mb
George Benson - One on One
nice brushwork with gaddism-licks and chops... from:Absolute Benson - 2000 1,4mb
Tom Scott - Jove Poem
very nice brush groove from: Tom Scott and the L.A. Express-Bluestreak - 1996 1,7mb
Tom Scott - Dirty Old Man
chops and groove... from: Tom Scott and the L.A. Express-Bluestreak - 1996 1,9mb
Al Jarreau - My Favourite Things
playing 3/4jazz with heavy beat movement phrasing from:Tenderness - 1994 1mb


some grooves:

Joe Sample - Mystery Child
simple groove:) from: Joe Sample and the Soul Committee - Did You Feel That - 1994 1,8mb
Michel Jonasz - Ou vont les reves
simple groove:) from the french singer Michel Jonasz - Où vont les rêves - 2002 1mb
Al Jarreau - Save Me
nice hihat work in a 16th pop context with nice breaks...from: Breakin' Away - 1981 2mb
Al Jarreau - I Will Be Here For You
an example of his orchestral thinking in playing drums, building a track...from:
Jarreau - 1983 1,6mb
Carly Simon - Memorial Day
outro solo - not the one posted by berlioz from; Spy - 1979 0,9mb

all mp3 are in vbr for nice quality and small file sizes.

hope you like my little "gadd on jazz view"....

happy listening

tomgadd
 
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Please could anyone possibly put an Mp3 file of 'Late In The Evening' by Paul Simon? I just need it to hear the mozabique groove steve played on it, as I'm currently learning it....
 
anyone else read the book about the beatles written by george martin (producer on sgt. pepper). there's a mention of steve gadd when he played alongside ringo on Paul McCartney's solo stuff. he describes steve as a "very clean and enormously precise drummer, a great technical performer."
just thought you'd like to know.
 
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