Best Jazz Drummers
 

We all know that jazz percussionists generally put drummers of other genres to shame. Who are your favourites?

My all time favourite is Han Bennink. He's dynamic as all hell and is amazing in pretty much any setting.

Gotta roll with my guy Tain Watts like I always do. Technicality isn't everything, precision and heart can take you places also.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...60444564,d.cGU

Gotta throw Vinnie Colaiuta in the mix also. Anybody who studied at Berklee and can impress Zappa on a first impression is holding it down also.

Saw a guy named Bill Stewart play with Scofield, blew my mind.

Ramon Angel


I first heard him on some Joan Diaz albums, his playing just really stood out to me. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much on youtube.

I've been seeking out Larry Bunkers work for the last week, he's exactly what I want in a jazz drummer.



As far as contemporary drummers, I've got to go with Daisuke Niitome from mouse on the keys.

Without any doubt Max Roach. His "We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite" is also one of the best Jazz albums ever.

Props to a couple of Fusion guys and their albums:

Billy Cobham - Spectrum (A bonafide Fusion classic)
Lenny White - Venusian Summer/Adventures of Astral Pirates (Two Sc-Fi themed albums that just rock with that squiggly 70's Fusion sound...)

^And let's not forget Bitches Brew and Red Clay for Lenny White.

Also Max Roach is incredible, I love his work with Braxton and the M'Boom ensemble.

Well, Han Bennink came to my mind first as well...
Paul Lovens is incredible. You should check out "Regalia" together with Cecil Taylor. Just mindblowing drum/percussion work.

Chris Cutler might be my favourite drummer, but he is no jazz drummer. But on the other hand Henry Cow's first album was at least partially JazzRock, so naming him is somewhat justified.

Joey Baron is also wonderful, although he does a lot of rock and other stuff as well.
Here's a solo performance:



I also really like Chris Corsano. Incredibly talented guy.

These three are no slouches.