I pretty much think of any vintage kits from the 60s as jazz kits. Big band was winding down in the 50s into bop and small combos, and rock n roll was bursting. BUT, those drummers were all jazz drummers. Even into the 60s.. the drummers were jazz drummers. And lets face it, that's the only standard there was at the time. And so the drum market followed suite as well. To me, "rock" drums didn't surface till the late 70s when the hardware started getting bulbous. This may be complete perception though. I'm 38 and wasn't alive at the time. I can only look at historical context and speculate. My father had a 50s slingerland kit that kids used to constantly call an old mans jazz kit because it was white pearl and wasn't a ludwig. So I guess it comes down to perspective.

jason

Hotdamn! That was a virtuoso performance I had never heard before. Thanks for posting it up. I agree with the previous statement, I think all the major American made vintage drums have been used by one famous jazz drummer, or another. Rogers make good sense for jazz too! 'Size matters' but if we're talking about drums that sound good and can cut through at higher tuning, it's Rogers. The 45 degree edges on those kits gave them a 'modern' sound compared to the kits being produced by Rogers peers. Hayes had that kit cranked! Listen to where the floor tom is tuned! Those 45 degree edges allowed the drums to cut right through the other instruments. It was a joy to watch and listen to.

I would kill twenty lawyers to be able to play a jazz ride pattern at the speed that Hayes executes it. I'd give up sex and just sit at my drums and play that all day. :D

John

Great video! Louis' left hand technique is amazing! And, yes, Rogers modern edges made those drums sing at higher tuning. Thanks for posting!

-Mark

All US drums were used by everybody before the mid-60's including Rogers. Many people played them including the Great Joe Morello. They all went back and forth for $..Even Buddy Rich who played all 4 major Co's