Author: John

by James Robbins There was a fine house band at the Savoy Ballroom during the 1930s. They weren’t widely known in the first half of the decade, but in 1935, after their leader discovered and hired the loser of an amateur singing contest (her name was Ella Fitzgerald), their fortunes began to change. 1 In…

by Frederick D. Fairchild Lou Harrison is one of our most influential percussion composers and innovators. His career has included work as a composer, performer, teacher, musical theorist, ethnomusicologist, conductor, instrument maker, poet, calligrapher, critic, polemicist, dancer, puppeteer and playwright. Harrison received his earliest training in piano and dance, later taking up composition, and finally…

by Frederick Fairchild Fred Hinger is recognized throughout the world as one of the great percussion authorities and instrument designers. He has the distinction of having held two of the world’s premier orchestral timpani positions. Hinger’s formal studies began during his junior high school years. While attending high school he was encouraged to pursue music…

by Rick MattinglyAdditional reporting by Lauren Vogel Weiss Remo Belli didn’t have to go to PASICs and trade shows; he had plenty of employees who could promote and sell his products. But he could typically be found in the Remo booth, and he usually had one or more new products to promote, which he did…

Elected to the Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame in 1986 in the categories of band leader, drum set, and recording artist, Buddy Rich is best known as the most technically advanced drum set artist of the 20th century and for leading the Buddy Rich Big Band.

Michael Colgrass’ first musical experiences were as a jazz drummer in the Chicago area (1944-49). In 1954 he graduated from the University of Illinois in music performance and composition, studying percussion with Paul Price and composition with Eugene Weigel, Darius Milhaud (Aspen) and Lukas Foss (Tanglewood). After 21 months as timpanist in the Seventh Army…

Born in 1943 and raised in Indiana, Gary Burton taught himself to play the vibraphone, developing a unique approach that set a new standard for four-mallet playing. At the age of 17, he made his recording debut in Nashville, Tennessee, with guitarists Hank Garland and Chet Atkins. Two years later, Burton left his studies at…

by Jim Dinella Jim Dinella: How did you start playing drums?  Henry Adler: I grew up during the Depression, so it was very tough to get an instrument or to pay a teacher. In those days, music stores would come to the school and give demonstrations. Then they’d give you something to take home to…

Elected to the Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame in 1989 in the categories of drum set, industry, radio/television, and theater, Maurice Lishon is best known for his ownership of Frank’s Drum Shop in Chicago.

Bobby Christian had an illustrious career that included a wide variety of musical styles and experiences. He began drum lessons when he was six and before age ten he was also playing timpani and marimba. As a teen he played with the Louis Panico band and the Paul Riker band.   He spent some time in…