Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming…a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum.

I’m back with another installed of Big Fat Five — a segment of the podcast where we dive into the five records that shaped the way great drummers approach their craft.

My name is Ben Hilzinger and today’s guest is someone whose playing and educational work has impacted me personally in a big way. David Garibaldi is not only the legendary drummer of Tower of Power, but his book Future Sounds has been one of my go-to practice tools ever since my good friend Sarab Singh first turned me onto it. In this conversation, David shares the five records that shaped his unmistakable sound and approach to rhythm. I’m so honored to have him on — let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my chat with David Garibaldi. Cheers!

---

Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 ⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

DAVID'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Artist - Count Basie

Album - Breakfast Dance and Barbeque

Release Year - 1959

Drummer - Sonny Payne

-

Artist - Sly & The Family Stone

Album - Whole New Thing

Release Year - 1967

Key Track(s) "Underdog," "If This Room Could Talk"

Drummer - Greg Errico

-

Artist - Aretha Franklin

Album - Aretha Live @ The Fillmore West

Release Year - 1971

Drummer - Bernard Purdie

-

Artist - The Meters

Album - Look-Ka Py Py

Release Year - 1969

Key Track(s) "Looka-Py-Py," "Rigor Mortis"

Drummer - Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste

-

Artist - James Brown

Single - "I Got The Feelin'"

Release Year - 1968

Drummer - Clyde Stubblefield

-

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Artist - Maceo & All The King's Men

Album - Doing Their Own Thing

Release Year - 1970

Drummer - Melvin Parker

Maceo Parker

Album - Made By Maceo

Release Year - 2003

Drummer - Jamal Thomas

Artist - Ray Barretto

Album - Que Viva La Musica

Release Year - 1972

Key Track - Alafia Cumaye

Timbales - Orestes Vilato 

Artist - Herbie Hancock

Album - Maiden Voyage

Key Track - Maiden Voyage

Release Year - 1965

Drummer - Tony Williams

Artist - Miles Davis

Album - Four and More

Release Year - 1966 (Recorded in 1964)

Drummer - Tony Williams

Elvin Jones...all his recordings...(especially McCoy Tyner's album Inception)

...and MANY more...

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.