Drummers on Drumming

Episode 2 of The Drum Panel

Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions on polarizing and controversial drum topics submitted by our listeners.

For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum & drummer for Winnetka Bowling League).

Today we discuss:

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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.

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

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Today's guest is Philo Tsoungui, an independent drummer based in Berlin, Germany. Philo has played with many incredible artists both in Germany and internationally, including a recent stint with The Mars Volta.

I can't praise Philo's playing enough; it just works. While it can be categorized as Hip Hop, it's so much more than any single genre, as you'll discover in this episode. Philo shares many incredibly valuable insights, and we actually kicked off our recorded conversation by discussing practice routines (in an ideal world).

So, without further ado, please enjoy the top 5 influences that shaped the incredible Philo Tsoungui. Cheers!

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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.

PHILO'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Black Orpheus

Artist - Keziah Jones

Release Year - 2003

Key Track - Afrosurrealismfortheladies

Drummer - Joshua McKenzie / Jose Joyette

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Album - The Bedlam in Goliath

Artist - The Mars Volta

Release Year - 2008

Key Track - Wax Simulacra

Drummer - Thomas Pridgen

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Album - Black Radio

Artist - Robert Glasper

Release Year - 2012

Key Track - Afro Blue

Drummer - Chris "Daddy" Dave

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Album - Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group: Live Los Angeles on Sept 14th, 2010 (video)

Artist - Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group

Release Year - 2010

Drummer - Deantoni Parks

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Album - Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Performance 

Artist - Lenny "The Ox" Reece & The Lesson GK

Release Year - 2018

Key Track - The Weekend

Drummer - Lenny "The Ox" Reece

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

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Today, my good friend and fellow professional drummer, Eric Urrea, and I are excited to launch the pilot episode of a new segment on our podcast, tentatively named “The Drum Panel.”

Drummers are known for having strong opinions, and we aim to delve into many of these in a roundtable format. For this first recording, it’s just the two of us, but our vision is to feature multiple drummers from diverse backgrounds in each episode to foster engaging, relatable, and thought-provoking discussions. We invite you to join us on this journey.

Today we discuss:

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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.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s guest is Adolfo Torres. Adolfo's musical journey started in Cali, Colombia, and from a young age, his passion for music was evident, leading his parents to enroll him in drum lessons. This early start paved the way for his education at the Drummers Collective in NYC and later at Berklee College of Music on an American Tour Scholarship.

After his studies, Adolfo moved to Austin, TX, playing with artists like JT Coldfire and Jennifer B and the Groove Kings, where he learned about the life of a working musician. In 2013, he returned to Colombia, forming the band M.I.J.O, which blends Classic, Modern, and Progressive Rock. All that being said, I’ve been a big fan of his for a long time and go check out a few of his videos before you listen to our chat. It will set the stage for a lot of what we talk about. I hope you enjoy the five records that shaped Adolfo Torres into the musician he is today. Cheers!

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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.

ADOLFO'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - The Inner Mounting Flame

Artist - The Mahavishnu Orchestra

Release Year f- 1971

Key Track(s) - The Noonward Race, Vital Transformation, You Know You Know

Drummer - Billy Cobham

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Album - Paranoid

Artist - Black Sabbath

Release Year - 1970

Key Track(s) - War Pigs, Rat Salad, Fairies Wear Boots

Drummer - Bill Ward

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Album - Red

Artist - King Crimson

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - One More Red Nightmare, Starless

Drummer - Bill Bruford

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Album - Badmotorfinger

Artist - Soundgarden

Release Year - 1991

Key Track(s) - Rusty Cage, Slaves & Bulldozers

Drummer - Matt Cameron

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Album - Amputechture

Artist - The Mars Volta

Release Year - 2006

Key Track(s) - Tetragrammaton, Meccamputechture, Viscera Eyes, Day of the Baphomets

Drummer - Jon Theodore

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Band of Gypsys - Hendrix 

Presence - Led Zeppelin 

Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower 

Tony Williams Lifetime: The Collection

Master of Reality - Black Sabbath

10,000 Days - Tool 

Deloused in the Commatorium - The Mars Volta

Down on the Upside - Soundgarden 

Gretchen Goes to Nebraska - King’s X

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

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Our guest today is none other than Jost Nickel, a renowned German drummer, composer, and educator. Jost is part of the golden generation of drummers from Germany, alongside his friends and fellow drumming legends Anika Nilles, Marco Minnemann, and Benny Greb.

Currently, Jost keeps busy with Jan Delay and Disko No. 1, but his talent has graced many hit records both in Germany and beyond. He's also had the privilege of playing with jazz greats like Randy Brecker, Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, Barry Finnerty, and many more.

In addition to his impressive performance career, Jost has authored four highly successful instructional books: Jost Nickel’s GROOVE BOOK, Jost Nickel’s FILL BOOK, Jost Nickel’s SNARE BOOK, and Jost Nickel’s BEGINNER BOOK.

I absolutely love Jost’s playing. It's always so crisp, clear, snappy, and incredibly creative, yet it always feels good. Today, we're diving into the five records that have helped shape Jost Nickel into the phenomenal drummer he is today. Cheers!"

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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.

JOST'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - The Dream of the Blue Turtles

Artist - Sting

Release Year - 1985

Key Track - Shadows in the Rain

Drummer - Omar Hakim

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Album - Master Plan

Artist - Dave Weckl

Release Year - 1990

Key Track - Tower of Inspiration

Drummer - Dave Weckl

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Album - True Colors

Artist - Level 42

Release Year - 1984

Key Track - Kansas City Milkman

Drummer - Phil Gould

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Album - This Time

Artist - Al Jarreau

Release Year - 1980

Key Track(s) - Spain (I Can Recall)

Drummer - Steve Gadd

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Album - Synchronicity

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1983

Key Track - King of Pain

Drummer - Stewart Copeland 

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

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This week's guest is Nick Wilkerson. For the past decade, Nick has been the drummer for the critically acclaimed Louisville, KY rock band, White Reaper. Recently, he decided to embark on a solo journey as an independent artist, and I’m eager to see what he creates next.

I always invite drummers on this show who truly move me with their playing. I discovered Nick’s videos on Instagram and was immediately impressed before I even realized he was the drummer for White Reaper, a band I really admire. Check out his videos, and you'll understand why.

I was stoked to have this conversation with Nick, and it’s moments like these that make me love what I do. Now, enjoy as we explore the five records that helped shape Nick Wilkerson into the musician he is today. Cheers!

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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.

NICK'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 Soundtrack

Artist - Various

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - Boy Who Destroyed The World (AFI), If You Must (Del The Funkee Homosapien), Amoeba (Adolescents)

Drummer - Various

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Album - American Idiot

Artist - Green Day

Release Year - 2004

Key Track(s) - Jesus of Suburbia, St Jimmy, Homecoming

Drummer - Tre Cool

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Album - Bad Brains

Artist - Bad Brains

Release Year - 1982

Key Track(s) - Attitude, Banned in DC, Big Takeover

Drummer - Earl Hudson

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Album - Live At Leeds

Artist - The Who

Release Year - 1970

Key Track(s) - Heaven And Hell, Can’t Explain, Happy Jack

Drummer - Keith Moon

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Album - Wonderful Rainbow

Artist - Lightning Bolt

Release Year - 2003

Key Track(s) - Assassins, Two Towers, Crown of Storms

Drummer - Brian Chippendale

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

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This week's guest is Isaiah Weatherspoon, a Philadelphia-based drummer who started playing at the age of four. He went on to graduate from Berklee College of Music in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Production and Engineering. Over the years, Isaiah has performed with an impressive roster of artists, including Lizz Wright, Greg Phillinganes, Lauren Talese, Leehom Wang, Justin Timberlake, Sister Sledge, and many more.

I first noticed Isaiah when I saw a video on Instagram of him using one of our Big Fat Snare Drum Steve's Donuts on his floor tom during an outdoor concert. He was going crazy on the drums, and I was truly impressed. His positive energy and outlook made this conversation a real pleasure. Plus, we dive into a fascinating topic: synesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon that Isaiah proudly embraces.

So, without further ado, here are the five records that have shaped Isaiah Weatherspoon into the musician he is today. Cheers!

Check out his book: MUSIC IS COOL! Music Coloring Book for Kids

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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.

ISAIAH'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Not Guilty

Artist - John P Kee

Release Year - 2000

Key Track - Rain On Us

Drummer - Calvin Rodgers

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Album - Purpose By Design

Artist - Fred Hammond and Radical For Christ

Release Year - 2000

Key Track - Jesus Be a Fence Around Me

Drummer - Marvin McQuitty

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Album - In A Dream

Artist - Gretchen Parlato

Release Year - 2009

Key Track - Butterfly

Drummer - "No drums on this record. But I believe Kendrick Scott plays on album"

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Album - Ten Summoner's Tale

Artist - Sting

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - Seven Days

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

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Album - Choose Your Weapon

Artist - Hiatus Kaiyote

Release Year - 2015

Key Track - By Fire

Drummer - Perrin Moss

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

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This week’s guest is Eric Somers-Urrea…a Chicago-based drummer, educator and producer who I very-much admire both on and off the kit. His main project is a band called Marina City and his sincerity / kindness as a person matches his incredible prowess on the drums. I just can’t say enough good things about him.

This is a edited and re-airing of my conversation with Eric from a few years ago so some references are a little dated, but I'm pushing this to the top of the feed because I might be switching things up a bit and, to keep things cryptic, let's just say I want you to get to know Eric a little bit more. Stay tuned. Please enjoy our chat about the 5 main influences that shaped Eric into the drummer he is today, but first…we play a little game. Cheers!

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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.

ERIC'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Performance - Drum Corps International 2004 Finals

Release Year - 2004

Artist - The Cavaliers

Song Choice - https://youtu.be/KpUuMM1y2_o?t=140 (anywhere between 2:20-4:20ish)

Drummer - The Cavaliers Drumline

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Album - Quadrophenia

Release Year - 1973

Artist - The Who

Song Choice - The Real Me (1:30ish)

Drummer - Keith Moon

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Album - Deadwing

Release Year - 2005

Artist - Porcupine Tree

Song Choice - Glass Arm Shattering (3:30ish)

Drummer - Gavin Harrison

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Album - Mer De Noms

Release Year - 2000

Artist - A Perfect Circle

Song Choice - Judith (2:40)

Drummer - Josh Freese

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Album - With Teeth

Release Year - 2005

Artist - Nine Inch Nails

Song Choice - All the Love in the World

Drummer - Dave Grohl/ Trent Reznor

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

"Glass Prison" by Dream Theater

"Heart Don't Stand a Chance" by Anderson .Paak (Tiny Desk Concert version 3:45)

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

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This week's guest is Megan Spencer, a talented young drummer and educator from just outside Los Angeles. Megan recently caught my attention with her amazing cover of Marques Murrey's Million Dollar Baby remix, and I was instantly drawn to her unique tones and vibe. So, I’m excited to have her on the show!  I'm always grateful for the opportunity to connect with new drummers who inspire ME and learn about the drummers who inspired THEM, in hopes of inspiring YOU. Thanks for hanging around. Today, Megan will share the five records that have significantly shaped her journey as a drummer. Enjoy the episode! Cheers!

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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.

MEGAN'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Innervisions

Artist - Stevie Wonder

Release Year - 1973

Key Track - Higher Ground

Drummer - Stevie Wonder

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Album - Bad

Artist - Michael Jackson

Release Year - 1987

Key Track - Smooth Criminal, Bad, Dirty Diana, Man in the Mirror

Drummer - John (JR) Robinson

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Album - Ten Summoner’s Tales

Artist - Sting

Release Year - 1993

Key Track - Seven Days

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

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Album - Alive in South Africa

Artist - Israel Houghton & New Breed

Release Year - 2005

Key Track - Turn it Around, Still Standing

Drummer - Mike Clemmons

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Album - Loopified

Artist - Dirty Loops

Release Year - 2014

Key Track - Hit Me, Rolling in the Deep

Drummer - Aron Mellergard

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

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This week's guest is Chris Fryar, primarily known for his work with the Zac Brown Band. He has also worked with Oteil and the Peacemakers, led by bassist Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers Band, as well as with Victor Wooten, John Popper, Steve Bailey, and many more.

Chris is powerful, creative, and consistent, yet very reactive and conversational with his playing. I was so happy to chat with him. I'll be honest—I haven't really said this in an intro before, but this conversation is what I envisioned when I started this podcast. Chris is incredible at sharing his story through his choices and offers invaluable advice along the way.

This is hands down one of my favorite episodes. Please enjoy my chat with Chris Fryar about the five records that shaped him into the musician he is today. And make sure you check out his honorable mentions. He's got plenty, and they'll all make you a better player. I promise.

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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.

CHRIS' BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Zenyatta Mondatta

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1980

Key Track(s) - Shadows In The Rain, Driven To Tears, When The World Is Running Down

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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Album - Ten Summoner's Tales

Artist - Sting

Release Year - 1993

Key Track(s) - Seven Days, St. Augustine in Hell, She's Too Good For Me, Shape of My Heart

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

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Album - Kind of Blue

Artist - Miles Davis

Release Year - 1959

Key Track(s) - So What, All Blues, Freddie Freeloader

Drummer - Jimmy Cobb

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Album - Live and In Living Color

Artist - Tower Of Power

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Knock Yourself Out (live), What Is Hip (live)

Drummer - David Garibaldi

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Album - Robben Ford & The Blue Line

Artist - Robben Ford

Release Year - 1992

Key Track(s) - You Cut Me To The Bone, Real Man, Prison Of Love

Drummer - Tom Brechtlein

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Aja - Steely Dan

Big Swing Face - Buddy Rich Big Band

TOTO IV - TOTO

Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin

Moving Pictures - Rush

Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack - various artists

Life On Planet Groove - Maceo Parker

At Fillmore East - Allman Brothers Band

HELP! - The Beatles

Rubber Soul - the Beatles

Revolver - the Beatles

John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman

Apple Juice - Tom Scott

Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit

Heavy Weather - Weather Report

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

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