Starting with two drums and a fife providing the entertainment at New Orleans picnics and funerals, and finishing with Canadian drummer Claude Ranger.

We talk about the development of the drum, and Kelby McNayr takes us through some of the components of the drum set. We also play music by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, talk about Jack Dejohnette and what to listen for as you listen to him playing with Charles Llloyd. I then spin a Fred Hersch Trio track with drummer Eric McPherson.

We then talk about why drummers and melody really is not an oxymoron, and demonstrate the amazing sense of melody that Kelby puts into his compositions.

We finish with a bit of jazz fusion. But, of course, all jazz is a fusion. The fusion that started in the mid 60’s was primarily a result of the technology—as have been many developments in all kinds of music. You’ll hear a short track by The Tony Williams Lifetime.

If you like this program, please leave a review or comment in the itunes podcast site. Thank you. -Larry