Practicing Drummer

Recorded May 2026 Kai is a drummer from the UK who first caught my attention through a series of studio clips and an interview with Greg Hutchinson, who has been his teacher, mentor, and then produced Kai’s album, “A Time Once Forgotten”. Kai is not only a fantastic player, he’s very insightful and I think you’ll get a lot from this conversation.  Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/kaiicraig We...

Recorded March 2026 Steven Crammer is a drummer based in Brooklyn, NY. His uniquely flexible musicianship has led to a rising stature on the jazz scene, since moving to NYC in 2018. Steven has released two albums, both with co-led projects. His debut album 'Nortonk' was released on Biophilia Records in 2021. The album received praise in multiple publications including Pop Matters, Jazz T...

Recorded in February 2026 Eliza Salem is a drummer, composer, and educator living in New York.  Since Eliza’s career is still relatively young, I thought it would a good time to dive into her upbringing, time in college, and what it’s been like building a career and community in New York.  Hope you enjoy this interview with drummer Eliza Salem! Website: https://elizasalem.com/ Instagram: @sickworm...

Recorded December 2025 Charles is a drummer from New York who started gigging at just 11 years old.  We cover what it was like growing up on the bandstand, his time with Billy Drummond and Kenny Washington at Juilliard, studying with the incredible Marvin “Bugalu” Smith, and a lot more. Despite being relatively young, Charles has an incredible amount of experience and drops a lot of knowledge in t...

For most of us, Steve Smith needs no introduction. He’s simply one of the most influential drummers of our time.  He was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame for his work with Journey He’s also considered one of the top jazz and fusion drummers He’s led his own group Vital information for more than 40 years On top of all that he’s produced some of the best educational books and videos for...

Recorded June 2025 Ron Tierno's name first came up in my interview with Hank Allen-Barfield, who mentioned studying The Melodic Snare Drummer —a book by Ron—while working with Billy Drummond at Juilliard. Ron has spent his entire career based in New York, where he did some recording and worked extensively as a Broadway musician. He played on the first national tour of CATS and later joined th...

Recorded June 2025 Drummer Mark Ferber appears on more than 200 recordings and remains active with several ongoing projects, including ECM artist Ralph Alessi’s This Against That , the Marc Copland Quartet , the Brad Shepik Organ Trio , and the Grammy-nominated big band and nonet led by his twin brother, Alan Ferber . He maintains a full schedule, performing regularly in jazz clubs and recording s...

Recorded February 2025 Hank Allen-Barfield is a young drummer living in New York City who recently graduated from Juilliard.  In college Hank has studied with people like Kenny Washington, Billy Drummond, Paul Wells, and Joe Farnsworth. You can catch Hank playing regularly in New York City or out on the road with Stella Cole. https://hankallenbarfield.com https://www.instagram.com/hankallenbarfiel...

Recorded January 2025 Scott Amendola is a drummer who grew up on the east coast and made his way to the Bay Area after his time at Berklee in Boston. With a career spanning more than three decades, he’s an ambitious composer, bandleader, electronics explorer, first-call accompanist, and educator.  As a sideman, Scott has performed and recorded with people like Bill Frisell, Regina Carter, John Zor...

Recorded November 2024 Joe Dyson is a drummer from New Orleans who now lives in New York City. His album Look Within has been out for a few years and he hinted at a new solo project and another Bridge Trio album coming in 2025. Joe has worked with Pat Metheny, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Joel Ross, David Weiss, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), and many o...

Recorded June 2024 Jeremy Dutton is drummer from Houston who now lives in New York City. He was featured in Modern Drummer magazine last year and his first album as a leader,  Anyone is Better Than Here , has been out for almost exactly a year. Aside from his solo projects, he plays regularly with Joel Ross, Vijay Iyer, James Francies, and many other great artists. Links: imjeremydutton.com Instag...

Recorded April 2024 Colleen Clark earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas and after living in NYC for many years, she’s now an Assistant Professor of Jazz at the University of South Carolina.  In addition to her role at USC, Colleen has several musical projects and the recent album with her band Alliance received a 4 star review in Downbeat. She is also the founder and a...

Recorded March 2024 Geoff Clapp spent the majority of his career in New Orleans where he was mentored by Ellis Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell, and many others. He has a couple of great albums out as a leader and has played with Dianne Reeves, Benny Green, Charlie Hunter, Sam Fribush, Wynton Marsalis, Nicolas Payton, and many others. Links: Geoff Clapp - Instagram - Hit him up for lessons!...

Recorded March 2024 From performing with Duke Ellington at just nine years old, having his own band with Marcus Miller and Kenny Kirkland, to playing with Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, McCoy Tyner, and countless others, Ronnie has had a really impressive career.  He's currently staying busy teaching, working with his non-profit called World Rhythm Academy , and playing with his band, Holographi...

Recorded May 2023 Dan is a drummer and tabla player living in Brooklyn with a unique musical voice that draws from jazz, Indian classical, progressive rock, hip hop, metal, and more. In addition to his varied work as a sideman, he’s also a highly regarded bandleader and composer. Be sure to check out the Dan Weiss Trio and his band Starebaby. Links danweiss.net Instagram Patreon Bandcamp Dan Weiss...

Recorded May 2023 George Fludas is a staple of the Chicago scene who has toured extensively as a member of Ray Brown's Trio, and with groups led by Hank Jones, Diana Krall, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton and Joey DeFrancesco. George is also a great rock drummer and a John Bonham expert. Links: George's website Instagram YouTube Bonhamology People’s Front of Zeppelin Philly Joe Jones Brush...

Billy Drummond - Recorded April 2023 Billy Drummond is a jazz drummer based out of New York who has played with Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, J J Johnson, Sonny Rollins, and countless others. He’s also a great band leader with several wonderful records  under his own name. His most recent album as a leader, Valse Sinistre ,  was a Downbeat Best Album of 2022. Links: Billy Drummon...

Colin Stranahan - Recorded April 2023 Based out of Brooklyn, Colin plays and tours with a wide range of artists and is a member of Kind Folk, Real Feels, and the Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato Trio. Links: Colin's Instagram Colin with Kurt Rosenwinkel in New Orleans Colin's online courses Elite Music Mentor My Music Masterclass Patreon Gilad Hekselman / Cécile Mclorin Salvant @ Cornelia St. Ca...

Brad Webb - Recorded April 2023 Brad is a drummer from Louisiana and after studying classical percussion for most of his life, he switched his focus to drum set. He’s living up in Boston now and it was great to catch up with him and learn more about his development as a player. Links: Brad Webb's site Extended Trio Extended Trio live at Monks Calvin and Hobbs kit LA Backbeat drumsticks Basher...