If you only knew who that cat was when you met him, you might have frozen up like a deer in the headlights. I know I would have. You're lucky to have spent that time with him.

I'm going to see if I can hunt down some of the Cootie Williams stuff (if any exists,) and I'll post it here. It's obvious that this percussion genius is not very well known by very many drummers. It's a shame. Not knowing who these guys are and what their contributions to the instrument are, is like having to re-invent the wheel each new generation.

Guys Like Thigpen were on the cutting edge of exploring what could be done with a basic drum kit. If you take the time to study them, you'll have the foundation they created to stand on. Those are very tall shoulders to stand on, high enough where you can take the music to the next level.

If you don't study them, it's like starting from scratch, like lobotomizing yourself, cutting off your roots. I love music and drums enough to want to know; who came before me, what I can learn from them, where did they leave off, where can I pick up the thread and carry it over to the next generation so it doesn't get lost or forgotten? All questions that as a musician/drummer you should be asking yourself. A lot of the work was done for us, all we have to do is apply it and if possible, add something of our own to it.

Time for a little schooling...

More Thigpen. This time with Oscar Peterson:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7xodWzLbCo[/ame]

Added later: I found -one- Cootie Williams recoding, but it's a CLASSIC (caps intentional) This is a tune that Thelonius Monk made famous again in the 50's, ten years after Cootie recorded it with his orchestra. This is a very young Ed Thigpen on drums. His first serious entry into the music scene.

Enjoy, this is a little thing called; Round Midnight

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofLXD5bbK30[/ame]

John

Here is Monk's later version of, Round Midnight. The drummer on this tune is; Ben Riley, another drummer everyone should take the time to check out. He fit so perfectly with Monk's style. Great drummer.

Notice: bass, snare, hats and a ride. All any drummer really needs!

Here's Monk's classic 'atonal' rendition of Round Midnight - that helped to launch his own career. It's a signature Monk piece:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yg7aZpIXRI&feature=related[/ame]

I'll learn you young whipper-snappers yet!

John - You can't keep it unless you give it away!

Warning: Long-winded speech ahead! -You've been warned.-

Thigpen is one drummer every stick swinger should check out. I grew up listening to, and trying to steal from guys like; Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Joe Morello, Papa Jo Jones and so many others including guys like Hal Blaine and Mitch Mitchell, that it would take too long to list them. I say all this just to say; a part of learning the instrument is learning its history. I would recommend that any serious student spend part of their time doing research on some of the great players/musicians that came before us. Spend a little time finding out what it was that made them special or great. Along the way, you'll pick up these little signature licks, or certain grooves, or patterns, that will find their way into your playing. It'll be -their stuff- but when it comes back out, it'll sound like -you- not them.

Familiarizing yourself with these great old players will make -you- a better player. Not just a better player, but a better musician. These guys force you to challenge yourself, to stretch yourself in order to follow along with their playing. As hard and frustrating as it can be learning it, the reward is Great.

Do your home work. Take the time to find out who these great drummers were and what made them great. You'll learn tons along the way.

Speech over... soapbox back in garage...

John

John and Wayne:

Thank you for your amazing insights and stories! Not only do I appreciate your sharing your thoughts and experiences, I will heed your advice. I will definitly research and try to gleen from the past as John suggests. The sites you listed, John are remarkable! I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day for me to absorb and try to take in what is out there! It's been a lot of years since I've felt like a kid in a candy store.

Thank you very much, gentlemen.

Brian

Brian - if I had the Internet when I was growing up and learning to play, I would have been a monster on the drums by now! Access to so many Master level teachers via video, if you can read music, even a little, there is so much tab and written stuff out there, enough to choke *Man O'War! (Big ole thoroughbred horse!)

There is so much material out there written in tab that reading music is almost archaic. Snoop around. There's a gold mine of drumming info/video out there. I haven't even put a dent in it yet.

John

Yes, sir. I will certainly do as you suggest. I have a feeling though that you are a far better musician than you give yourself credit for! Thanks for everything, John.

Brian