Practicing Drummer

Recorded May 2026

Kai is a drummer from the UK who first caught my attention through a series of studio clips and an interview with Greg Hutchinson, who has been his teacher, mentor, and then produced Kai’s album, “A Time Once Forgotten”.

Kai is not only a fantastic player, he’s very insightful and I think you’ll get a lot from this conversation. 

Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/kaiicraig

Website

https://kaicraig.com

Kai Craig - A Time Once Forgotten

https://kaicraig-whirlwind.bandcamp.com/album/a-time-once-forgotten

Kai Craig and Greg Hutchinson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prbd7xqoSHY

Sean Payne - Long Story Short

https://seanpayne.bandcamp.com/album/long-story-short

Interview on Four on the Floor

https://jonmccaslinjazzdrummer.blogspot.com/2025/09/kai-craig-time-once-forgotten.html

Kai's Zildjian video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnxZGy5mGjg

Branford Marsalis documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNJmyy8IqNo

Brice Wassy - Rythmes du Cameroun

https://amzn.to/4ulc4wV

The song featured in this episode is Namesake off of Kai's album.

Practicing Drummer
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The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded March 2026

Steven Crammer is a drummer based in Brooklyn, NY. His uniquely flexible musicianship has led to a rising stature on the jazz scene, since moving to NYC in 2018. Steven has released two albums, both with co-led projects. His debut album 'Nortonk' was released on Biophilia Records in 2021. The album received praise in multiple publications including Pop Matters, Jazz Trail, Jazzwise, and All About Jazz. In November 2025, his piano trio ‘Prawntail’ released their first record on Endectomorph Music.

He is also a highly active sideman, having performed and/or recorded with a broad range of artists including Max Light, Cecil Alexander, Brian Krock, Matt Pavolka, Chris McCarthy, and many more. You can catch Steven regularly playing in NYC in a wide variety of settings as well as on tour across the US, Canada, and Europe.

Website: stevencrammer.com

Instagram: instagram.com/stevencrammer

Prawntail - Bandcamp

Nortonk - Bandcamp

Nortonk - Album release performance

Nortonk - Drum solo on Cherry

Drummers

Ted Poor

Gerald Cleaver

Craig Taborn - Chants

Books

Ritmica - Portuguese Brazilian drum book

Dan Weiss video courses

John Riley's drum books

Albums

Clifford Jarvis with Barry Harris

Wilbur Ware - Super Bass (with Ed Blackwell)

Jaki Byard - The Last from Lennie's (with Alan Dawson)

Ornette Coleman - This is Our Music

Charlie Parker - One Night in Birdland

Andrew Cyrille instructional VHS (clip) - Please reach out if you have a copy of the whole video.

Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
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The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded in February 2026

Eliza Salem is a drummer, composer, and educator living in New York. 

Since Eliza’s career is still relatively young, I thought it would a good time to dive into her upbringing, time in college, and what it’s been like building a career and community in New York. 

Hope you enjoy this interview with drummer Eliza Salem!

Website: https://elizasalem.com/

Instagram: @sickwormfacts

Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
https://bkcm.org/profile/eliza-salem/

Wilcoxon - All American Drummer
https://amzn.to/4rKnLN9

Wilcoxon - Rudimental Swing Solos
https://amzn.to/4b4AS4E

Marta Sanchez live at Bop Stop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRqDwJWNWEk

Next Jazz Legacy program
https://newmusicusa.org/program/next-jazz-legacy/

Careful in the Sun - Soft Alarm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBW6P5euuZA

Nicole McCabe - Color Theory
https://nicolemccabe.bandcamp.com/album/color-theory

Rick Roe - Monk’s Modern Music
https://www.roejazz.com/product-page/rick-roe-monk-s-modern-music-cd

Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
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The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded December 2025

Charles is a drummer from New York who started gigging at just 11 years old. 

We cover what it was like growing up on the bandstand, his time with Billy Drummond and Kenny Washington at Juilliard, studying with the incredible Marvin “Bugalu” Smith, and a lot more.

Despite being relatively young, Charles has an incredible amount of experience and drops a lot of knowledge in this episode.

https://www.charlesgooldmusic.com

https://www.instagram.com/chuckgeezy

https://charlesgoold.bandcamp.com

Full show notes and links:
https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e16-charles-goold

Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

For most of us, Steve Smith needs no introduction. He’s simply one of the most influential drummers of our time. 

• He was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame for his work with Journey
• He’s also considered one of the top jazz and fusion drummers
• He’s led his own group Vital information for more than 40 years
• On top of all that he’s produced some of the best educational books and videos for drummers - I’m currently obsessed with the brush video he did with Adam Nussbaum where they sit down with Billy Hart, Eddie Locke, Joe Morello, Charlie Persip and Ben Riley who demonstrate their technique. It’s incredible.

Anyway, it’s a huge deal that I got to talk to Steve. I’ve been a fan since I was a teenager. 

Before we get going I want to give a big thanks to friend of the show Scott Amendola for connecting us. And of course, I have to thank Steve for being so generous with his time. 

https://www.vitalinformation.com/

https://www.instagram.com/stevesmithdrums/

https://www.youtube.com/stevesmithchannel

The music included with this episode is Sumo by Vital Information.

Full show notes and links:
https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e15-steve-smith

Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
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YouTube
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The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded June 2025

Ron Tierno's name first came up in my interview with Hank Allen-Barfield, who mentioned studying The Melodic Snare Drummer—a book by Ron—while working with Billy Drummond at Juilliard.

Ron has spent his entire career based in New York, where he did some recording and worked extensively as a Broadway musician. He played on the first national tour of CATS and later joined the show's long-running Broadway production.

These days, Ron teaches out of Good Hands Drum Shop in Manhattan and continues to take on some freelance gigs. For the past decade, he’s also performed in holiday concerts with the Boston Pops. While he still enjoys playing, Ron now primarily identifies as a Broadway veteran and educator, drawing on his decades of experience.

https://www.rontierno.com

Ron's Broadway Drumming 101 interview

Ron's Books

The Melodic Snare Drummer

The Hip-Hop Snare Drummer

The Swingin' Snare Drummer

Good Hands Drum Shop in New York City

https://goodhandsdrumshop.com

Other Links

Andy Lalino – Sit In And Play Along On Drums

Jim Chapin – Profile Of A Jazz Drummer: Skin Tight

Music Minus One – For Drummers Only

The Sons of Champlin - Follow Your Heart

The music included with this episode is The Old Man by Frank Weber.

Practicing Drummer
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The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded June 2025

Drummer Mark Ferber appears on more than 200 recordings and remains active with several ongoing projects, including ECM artist Ralph Alessi’s This Against That, the Marc Copland Quartet, the Brad Shepik Organ Trio, and the Grammy-nominated big band and nonet led by his twin brother, Alan Ferber.

He maintains a full schedule, performing regularly in jazz clubs and recording studios across Los Angeles and New York, as well as touring internationally. His past collaborations include tours and recordings with a wide range of artists such as Lee Konitz, Gary Peacock, Jonathan Kreisberg, John O’Gallagher, Don Byron, Fred Hersch, Tony Malaby, Anna Webber, Mark Helias, Pete McCann, Matt Pavolka, Michael Attias, and Billy Childs, and many others.

In addition to his work as a player, Mark also teaches at Cal State Fresno and in the Masters program at Musicians Institute in Hollywood.

https://www.markferber.com

Elvin Jones - Different Drummer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igdN9kFCM-s

Charlie Parker Omnibook
https://amzn.to/4eiNDtu

Dave Weckl - Contemporary Drummer + One
https://amzn.to/3TCREPY

Mark Ferber - Anemone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK15bQ6gGK8

Spotify Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Qr8yzWpyj5aSGyUyWnkcT?si=c4fd160435ad45f1

The music included with this episode is the song Spinning Things by Marc Copland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxOK8dXrPXw

Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
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The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded February 2025

Hank Allen-Barfield is a young drummer living in New York City who recently graduated from Juilliard. 

In college Hank has studied with people like Kenny Washington, Billy Drummond, Paul Wells, and Joe Farnsworth. You can catch Hank playing regularly in New York City or out on the road with Stella Cole.

https://hankallenbarfield.com
https://www.instagram.com/hankallenbarfield

Stella Cole Tour Dates
https://www.stellacole.net

Nica's Dream at Emmet's Place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB7yhEZ7ccg

Love Walked In at Emmet's Place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hux2KoN0x74

Tim Metz
https://www.timmetz.com

The Melodic Snare Drummer by Ron Tierno
https://www.rontierno.com/publications

Billy Drummond interview
https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-s1-e3-billy-drummond

George Fludas interview
https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-s1-e4-george-fludas/

The music featured in this episode is from Hank's appearance at Emmet's Place.

Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
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The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded January 2025

Scott Amendola is a drummer who grew up on the east coast and made his way to the Bay Area after his time at Berklee in Boston. With a career spanning more than three decades, he’s an ambitious composer, bandleader, electronics explorer, first-call accompanist, and educator. 

As a sideman, Scott has performed and recorded with people like Bill Frisell, Regina Carter, John Zorn, Mike Patton, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Laurie Anderson, and many others. 

With his own projects, some of his closest musical associates include guitarists Charlie Hunter, Nels Cline, and Jeff Parker, Hammond B-3 organist Wil Blades, violinist Jenny Scheinman, saxophonist Phillip Greenlief, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, bassists Trevor Dunn, and Todd Sickafoose.

https://scottamendola.com
https://www.instagram.com/scottamendola

The music featured in this episode is from the song Skip a Stop from the SticklerPhonics album Technicolor Ghost Parade.

Full show notes available at https://practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e11-scott-amendola/

SticklerPhonics at Bird & Beckett
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oLpfEJ8MwI

Fade to Orange (orchestral project)
https://scottamendolamusic.bandcamp.com/album/fade-to-orange-feat-nels-cline-trevor-dunn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd1kkv7pyBo

Pete Engelhart Sapo Bell
http://www.peteengelhartmetalpercussion.com/sapo.html

Red Panda pedals
https://www.redpandalab.com/

Drolo pedals
https://drolofx.com/

ZT guitar amps
https://www.ztamplifiers.com/

Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
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The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded November 2024

Joe Dyson is a drummer from New Orleans who now lives in New York City. His album Look Within has been out for a few years and he hinted at a new solo project and another Bridge Trio album coming in 2025.

Joe has worked with Pat Metheny, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Joel Ross, David Weiss, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), and many others.

Links

https://www.joedyson.com/
https://www.instagram.com/joe_dyson/
https://joedyson.bandcamp.com/album/look-within

Qarkabeb - Moroccan hand cymbals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHQL0js9pSw

Roland SPD
https://www.roland.com/us/categories/drums_percussion/percussion/

Pearl DjemBass
https://www.steveweissmusic.com/product/pearl-djembass/world-percussion-hardware

Cecile McLorin Salvant
https://www.cecilemclorinsalvant.com/

Sullivan Fortner
https://www.sullivanfortnermusic.com/

Joel Ross
https://www.iplayvibes.com/

Donald Harrison
https://donaldharrison.com

Immanuel Wilkins
https://www.immanuelwilkins.com/

Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott)
https://www.chiefadjuah.com/

Bridge Trio
https://thebridgetrio.com/

The music featured in this episode is from the song Fleeting Faith his album Look Within.

Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
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YouTube
Facebook

The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.