Drummer Nation

Classic Conversations: From the Classic Drummer archives, an interview with Poison drummer Rikki Rockett, recorded at the 2017 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.

At the age of 23, Los Angeles drummer Paul Kreibich got his first major jazz gig with jazz singer Carmen McRae. Paul later auditioned for Ray Charles, was hired on the spot, and toured with him for four years.

Paul became a first call LA drummer, working with jazz luminaries Mose Allison, Anita O'Day, Rosemary Clooney and Lee Konitz. His recording credits include Dianne Reeves, Bob Cooper, Conte Candoli, Cedar Walton,  Kenny Burrell, Gene Harris, and many others. 

Paul continues to tour, record and perform locally. He's now on the music faculty at Cal State Fullerton and teaches privately.

Tina Raymond is a drummer based in Los Angeles. She attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the California Institute of the Arts, and studied jazz drum set with Joe LaBarbera, Jeff Hamilton, and the late John Von Ohlen. Her playing style blends traditional jazz vocabulary with African polyrhythms and classical percussion techniques. Raymond is an assistant professor of music at Los Angeles City College in Hollywood, CA where she teaches jazz and percussion as she continues to perform, adjudicate, and present workshops world-wide. Tina has shared the stage with many jazz luminaries. Her debut album, entitled “Left Right Left,"  is on Orenda Records.

Matt Wilson is truly inspiring. Undeterred by personal obstacles, his playing, like his personality, embodies humor, warmth, surprise, and always an infectious sense of swing.  It’s no wonder he is one of the most in-demand players and educators on the modern jazz scene. For this interview, I decided to ask him to respond to some of the many quotable quips he’s known for. What emerges, is a glimpse of the inner joy that drives him.

Rob Wallis is the President/CEO of Hudson Music and Drum Guru.  He owned Drummer's Collective for over 30 years and was the executive producer of some of your favorite DCI Music Video tapes.  He's worked with and is respected by some of the biggest drummers in the world and has produced literally several hundred books, videos and dvd’s over the past 35 years. The secret to his success is persistence and never taking 'no' for an answer.

Bill Platt studied at the Eastman School of Music under William Street. A stint in the US Army Band was followed by 40 years as Principal Percussionist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.   Bill recorded well over 100 recordings covering much of the Symphonic orchestral literature. Bill is the solo snare drummer on that orchestra’s acclaimed recordings of Ravel's Bolero. Also an avid jazz drummer, Bill teaches occasionally for his friend Peter Erskine at USC. Bill serves on the advisory board of the Percussive Arts Society and has performed at PASIC with its Symphonic Emeritus.

Wayne Salzmann is a versatile and active drummer, best known for his work touring and recording with Grammy winning guitar virtuoso, Eric Johnson. He is one of the most in demand session and live drummers in Austin, Texas, where he is currently the drum set instructor at the University of Texas at Austin. He has also performed and/or recorded with guitarists Joe Satriani, Mike Stern, Robben Ford, and Albert Lee. Wayne has been featured on dozens of albums and music videos in the Jazz, Blues, Rock, Funk, R&B, Brazilian, African, and Classical genres. He’s recorded commercials, TV shows, and Hollywood film soundtracks, and toured extensively throughout the world. He also writes and arranges music for his own project, Wayne Salzmann’s Groove Society.

Rich Redmond is based in Nashville and L.A., where his versatile drumming is the sound behind many of today’s top talents. Rich has performed with Kelly Clarkson, Garth Brooks, Chris Cornell, and scores of others. With Jason Aldean, Rich has recorded 23 #1 singles. He’s been on Leno, Conan, Ellen and Jimmy Fallon as well as Saturday Night Live, and the Grammys. Rich was voted “Best Country Drummer” and “Best Clinician” by Modern Drummer and “Best Country Drummer” by Drum! Magazine. Rich loves to mentor and teach. As a member of the production team, New Voice Entertainment.

New York-based jazz drummer, sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur, and educator, Carl Allen has been a mainstay on the jazz scene for nearly three decades. While still in college, Carl joined Freddie Hubbard and served as his Musical Director for eight years. He also played with jazz luminaries Michael and Randy Brecker, Benny Golson,Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, and many others.  Carl taught at The Juilliard School and served for a time as its Director of Jazz Studies. He leads The Carl Allen Quartet as well as The Art of Elvin, a band dedicated to two of his drum influences, Art Blakey and Elvin Jones.

From age 4, Mike Clark was a prodigy, sitting in with bands in Texas and New Orleans, from which he credits his ability to synthesize many different regional styles. By the time he reached his early twenties he was known as one of the founders of the distinctive East Bay Sound coming out of Oakland, California. Mike gained worldwide recognition as one of America's foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock in the early 70's. His incisive playing on Hancock's "Actual Proof" garnered him an international cult following and influenced generations of drummers throughout the world.  Mike has performed with jazz luminaries including  Herbie Hancock, Chet Baker, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, and Gil Evans.  https://www.drummermikeclark.info