Today, one of my drum students asked me about the number of different drum teachers I’ve had. So, I decided to make a list:
- Thomas Search
- Ted Fulte
- Joe Hunt
- Jun Saito
- Skip Hadden
- Ed Kaspik
- Alan Dawson
- Kenwood Dennard
- Buster Bailey
- Frankie Malabe
So, that’s the “official” list. However, many of my peers have been my teachers throughout the years. While I was a Berklee College of Music, most of the drummers used to hang out at “drummers row” shedding on practice pads and sharing ideas. There were also many ensembles where I was able to hear wonderful players. There were so many great people from whom I learned: Jeff “Tain” Watts; Karl Latham; Rick Beligni; Ichiro Onoe; Marty Richards; Ron Savage; Larry Finn; Ian Froman; Bruce Owens; Wolfgang Bayha; Lillian Carmona; Dwyane Cook; Bruce Cox; Sipho Kunene; Chris DeRosa; Pat Devane; Jeremy Driesen; Hans Fagt; Joe Foster; Russ Gold; Dave Hammond; Bob Harsen; Joel Taylor; Mo Roberts; Joe Mardin; and Robert Mark. That’s just a list of some drummers (that I can remember, anyway). Obviously, I learned from being around really great musicians of all instruments. The fact that I got to play with many of these players was educational beyond words.
To this day, I strive to continue learning everything I can from everyone. I have learned something from you, whether we have been on a bandstand together, if I saw you at one of your gigs, or even if you have been or are currently one of my students. You have all been (and continue to be) my teachers. Thank you.
Add Comment