David Crigger

[bernhard]

Just found out, that we have an outstanding drummer on board: David Crigger

dcrigger

www.drummerworld.com

He played with Don Ellis, Elvis Costello, Klaus Doldingers Passport, Brian Auger, Rick Springfield, Sheryl Crow, Dionne Warwick to name a few...

DAVID CRIGGER - BIO

from the bio:
At the age of 18, drummer David Crigger joined the legendary Don Ellis Orchestra, whose blending of jazz, odd-meters and multi-ethnic rhythms helped define "world music" long before the term had been coined; later he went on to a stint with German fusion artist Klaus Doldinger's group, Passport; albums with organist Brian Auger, pop sensation Rick Springfield, organist John Novello, and pianist Stu Goldberg. He has performed with the jazz/classical group, Free Flight, the late Latin music master, Willie Bobo, the big bands of Ralph Carmichael, Joe Roccisano and Bruce Lofgren, and has backed artists like Dionne Warwick, Maureen McGovern, David Foster, Roger Williams, and Marilyn McCoo; and has made scores of appearances in concerts, videos, and recordings with legendary songwriter, Burt Bacharach including the 1998 tribute broadcast, "One Amazing Night " with David playing for Burt, Luther Vandross, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Wynnona, Chrissie Hynde, David Sanborn, Dionne Warwick, George Duke, and Mike Myers; as well as various appearances with Burt and Elvis Costello including the Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach US/UK tour supporting their collaborative CD "Painted From Memory" and their appearance on Sessions at West 54th Street. This tour lead to David recording Burt and Elvis' remake of "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" and appearing, performing it with them, in "Austin Powers - The Spy Who Shagged Me".

David's reputation as a quick study has also found him in orchestra pits, subbing for shows like "Lion King", "Les Miserables", "Jerome Robbins' Broadway", "Dreamgirls" and "They're Playing Our Song"; working on films like "Swing Kids", "The Marrying Man" and "Revenge of the Nerds"; and recently, in front of 13,000 people sitting on the drum throne of the Brian Setzer Rockestra after only one skeleton rehearsal and no sound check!

Check him out

Bernhard

 

[green glass drum]

Now we can finally find out what those time sigs really are. He is a welcome addition sir.
Thanks Mr. Crigger....for all of your knowlege.

 

[JimmyM]

Has Dave only been on DFO before? I thought he was here already.

 

[Tamboreter]

@JimmyM, Yep, Dave's been on this forum a long time. Since 2006, lol.

 

[JimmyM]

@JimmyM, Yep, Dave's been on this forum a long time. Since 2006, lol.
View attachment 149211

Thx, Tam. I thought so. Dave is a badass, btw. He did some really cool jazz versions of Hendrix tunes with Oingo Boingo’s guitar player. If you haven’t heard them yet, worth checking out.

 

[Bozozoid]

I know ONE thing. I'm asking him what he thinks of Sonor Phonics. Ya! baby. .

 

[beatdat]

I know ONE thing. I'm asking him what he thinks of Sonor Phonics. Ya! baby. .

Great, then @Al Strange is going to ask him what he thinks of Pearl Tom Arms.

 

[bernhard]

See the Steve Houghton recommandations in 1992: David Crigger is mentioned in the ODD Time section...

 

[Al Strange]

@JimmyM, Yep, Dave's been on this forum a long time. Since 2006, lol.
View attachment 149211

Yup, @dcrigger has been talking a lot of sense on here for eons, buuuuuttttt, as @beatdat kindly pointed out, he’s never told me what he thinks about Pearl’s courageously practical tom arms…

 

[Drummingdog]

I saw Dave play with Jeff Berlin at M I in the early 80’s. They played all kinds of odd meter charts, crazy stuff, and flawlessly. We asked him if they had rehearsed and Dave responded he hadnt seen the charts till he sat down to play! Didnt he also play on those Drum Drop albums for song writers? Pre-drum machines. What an amazing player

 

[Tamboreter]

Didnt he also play on those Drum Drop albums for song writers?

Yes. There's info on Dave's website about this.

 

[dcrigger]

See the Steve Houghton recommandations in 1992: David Crigger is mentioned in the ODD Time section...

Bernard - While yes, I have been lurking around here for awhile, I certainly appreciate such a wonderful shout out. Needless to say, I can’t express strongly enough what a phenomenal resource for drummers worldwide you have created and nurtured over the years this place is - Drummerworld overall and this forum in particular.

Thank you for that, and again for this very kind nod of recognition.

And wow, this mention by Steve Houghton is something that I was totally unaware of. I had the pleasure of meeting Steve back in the early days of PIT - where I had become sort of the main sub for Steve (and his big band classes) and for Ralph Humphrey (teaching the odd meter thing, etc.) Great player and such a great guy. How nice of him to include me on his list.

Anyway Bernard - thanks again.

 

[dcrigger]

Thx, Tam. I thought so. Dave is a badass, btw. He did some really cool jazz versions of Hendrix tunes with Oingo Boingo’s guitar player. If you haven’t heard them yet, worth checking out.

Thanks Jimmy -

I have a bunch of stuff available to check out on my YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidCrigger.

Of course the Hendrix: Revisited project is my most recent personal project. This is where I’ve taken Jimi Hendrix songs and basically reimagined them rhythmically, harmonically and stylistically as modern jazz pieces - usually in odd meters. There will be four pieces altogether.

First was Foxy Lady - that I realized as a remix - using Jimi’s vocal along with me performing/programming all of the instruments. This version is sort of a shuffle in two different versions of 21/8 (first in 5/8+5/8+6/8+5/8 and the second feeling like a shuffle in 7/4 or 3+3+3+3+3+3+3)

Second was one of my favorite tunes from Electric Ladyland - Burning of the Midnight Lamp. And for this - I took on writing the first full big arrangement I’ve written since my 20’s. - and then rustled up a stellar band of old and new friends to play it. It is all in 11/4 - sometimes as a more rock 11/8 shuffle and other times as a more straight jazz bop 11/4. Great solos from Colin Kupka on Tenor and dear old friend, Brien Matson on Trombone. There’s even a “bitch to catch all the figures” shout chorus. Huge fun to play!.

Any way - up next are new arrangements of both Purple Haze and Voodoo Child - both in various stages of production…. so hopefully soon.

Anyway sorry for that bout of self promotion - but this project is just a big labor of love - the sole purpose of which is to share with folks who might dig it. Hope you like ‘em.

 

[dcrigger]

I saw Dave play with Jeff Berlin at M I in the early 80’s. They played all kinds of odd meter charts, crazy stuff, and flawlessly. We asked him if they had rehearsed and Dave responded he hadnt seen the charts till he sat down to play! Didnt he also play on those Drum Drop albums for song writers? Pre-drum machines. What an amazing player

Thanks.

And yes, I played on most of those late 70's/early 80's Drum Drop albums

And wow the MI thing - hadn't thought about those performances in years. I think you are probably referring to an ensemble that was led by guitarist, Don Mock. IIRC at the beginning of each new term (year?), the school would present a string of concerts featuring various faculty members - each in different style/genres.... At that time, leading the jazz-fusion concert fell to Don Mock - who had written this great collection of pieces.... and for a number of times, I remember being the drummer for those.... and yes, it was a collection of fun, crazy stuff, and as I remember pretty pedal to the metal all the way through. Again, loads of fun. Thanks for remembering that - and helping me to remember it.

 

[dcrigger]

Yup, @dcrigger has been talking a lot of sense on here for eons, buuuuuttttt, as @beatdat kindly pointed out, he’s never told me what he thinks about Pearl’s courageously practical tom arms…

Not sure that I'm privy to the backstory behind your interest in this question.... but I'll bite

Contrary to (I believe) popular opinion - Optimount-era Pearl Tom arms are my first choice. Using them on multiple kits - none of which are Pearl kits at all. I have always preferred this style of arm - either Pearl or Yamaha. Having no love at all for "L" arms.

So there you go...

 

[beatdat]

@Al Strange, wipe that smile off your face or I’ll do it for you. Ok?

 

[Drummingdog]

Thanks.

And yes, I played on most of those late 70's/early 80's Drum Drop albums

And wow the MI thing - hadn't thought about those performances in years. I think you are probably referring to an ensemble that was led by guitarist, Don Mock. IIRC at the beginning of each new term (year?), the school would present a string of concerts featuring various faculty members - each in different style/genres.... At that time, leading the jazz-fusion concert fell to Don Mock - who had written this great collection of pieces.... and for a number of times, I remember being the drummer for those.... and yes, it was a collection of fun, crazy stuff, and as I remember pretty pedal to the metal all the way through. Again, loads of fun. Thanks for remembering that - and helping me to remember it.

It was in ‘83 i believe while i was attending PIT. I think it was the same yr Steve Houghton and Eddie Rosetti auditioned for Zappa. Eddie came in runner up behind Wackerman! Steve did not make the cut but im sure played great. We gave him a hard time after that about not studying his ensemble figures enough! What an amazing bunch of players i was exposed to

 

[Skrivarna]

Thanks Jimmy -

I have a bunch of stuff available to check out on my YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidCrigger.

Of course the Hendrix: Revisited project is my most recent personal project. This is where I’ve taken Jimi Hendrix songs and basically reimagined them rhythmically, harmonically and stylistically as modern jazz pieces - usually in odd meters. There will be four pieces altogether.

First was Foxy Lady - that I realized as a remix - using Jimi’s vocal along with me performing/programming all of the instruments. This version is sort of a shuffle in two different versions of 21/8 (first in 5/8+5/8+6/8+5/8 and the second feeling like a shuffle in 7/4 or 3+3+3+3+3+3+3)

Second was one of my favorite tunes from Electric Ladyland - Burning of the Midnight Lamp. And for this - I took on writing the first full big arrangement I’ve written since my 20’s. - and then rustled up a stellar band of old and new friends to play it. It is all in 11/4 - sometimes as a more rock 11/8 shuffle and other times as a more straight jazz bop 11/4. Great solos from Colin Kupka on Tenor and dear old friend, Brien Matson on Trombone. There’s even a “bitch to catch all the figures” shout chorus. Huge fun to play!.

Any way - up next are new arrangements of both Purple Haze and Voodoo Child - both in various stages of production…. so hopefully soon.

Anyway sorry for that bout of self promotion - but this project is just a big labor of love - the sole purpose of which is to share with folks who might dig it. Hope you like ‘em.

Wow. Just wow! Incredible musical and tasteful playing (not only on drums, but I particularly enjoyed the drums).
Thanks a lot for sharing!