Practicing Drummer

By Practicing Drummer

An interview podcast about drums and drumming with a focus on jazz drummers. A few of the featured guests have been Billy Drummond, Steve Smith, Jeremy Dutton, and Dan Weiss. Connect with the show

... more

5

1212 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Practicing Drummer:

How many episodes does Practicing Drummer have?

The podcast currently has 15 episodes available.

Practicing Drummer episodes:

September 03, 2025E15 - Steve Smith
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.
As always, I'll put links to everything we talk about in the show notes and on the blog at practicing drummer.com and with that let's get right into it with Steve Smith.
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
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.
...more
1h 26min
July 30, 2025 E14 - Ron Tierno
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
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.
...more
1h 12min
June 25, 2025 E13 - Mark Ferber
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
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.
...more
1h 19min
March 13, 2025 E12 - Hank Allen-Barfield
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
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.
...more
1h 10min
February 19, 2025 E11 - Scott Amendola
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
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.
...more
1h 22min
December 17, 2024 E10 - Joe Dyson
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
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.
...more
1h 32min
July 01, 2024E9 - Jeremy Dutton
Recorded June 2024
Jeremy Dutton is drummer from Houston who now lives in New York City. He was featured in Modern Drummer magazine last year and his first album as a leader, Anyone is Better Than Here, has been out for almost exactly a year. Aside from his solo projects, he plays regularly with Joel Ross, Vijay Iyer, James Francies, and many other great artists.

Links:
imjeremydutton.com
Instagram
Jeremy Dutton @ stephan's basement
Jeremy Dutton x Cycle Studios: Solo Sessions
James Francies - Levitate
James Francies - My Favorite Things
The music featured in this episode is the song Waves from his album Anyone is Better Than Here.
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.
...more
1h 27min
May 29, 2024E8 - Colleen Clark
Recorded April 2024
Colleen Clark earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas and after living in NYC for many years, she’s now an Assistant Professor of Jazz at the University of South Carolina.
In addition to her role at USC, Colleen has several musical projects and the recent album with her band Alliance received a 4 star review in Downbeat. She is also the founder and artistic director of USC’s Jazz Girls Day.

Links:
colleendrums.com
Instagram
Alliance
Jazz Girls Day
Gordon Stout
Good Hands Drum Shop
Steve Maxwell Drums
Frank Pepe
Sally's Apizza
The music featured in the episode is the song Wingspan off of Alliance's latest album.
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.
...more
1h 24min
April 30, 2024E7 - Geoff Clapp
Recorded March 2024

Geoff Clapp spent the majority of his career in New Orleans where he was mentored by Ellis Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell, and many others. He has a couple of great albums out as a leader and has played with Dianne Reeves, Benny Green, Charlie Hunter, Sam Fribush, Wynton Marsalis, Nicolas Payton, and many others.

Links:
Geoff Clapp - Instagram - Hit him up for lessons!
Percussionist Alexi Marti live on WWOZ
Johnny Vidacovich
Herlin Riley live with Emmett Cohen
Shannon Powell on jazz funeral drumming
The music featured in the episode comes from the Geoff Clapp Trio live at Monk's:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rouDlx_kTjw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSVaSac4Gtg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHMFtr0PdRU
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.
...more
1h 1min
March 26, 2024E6 - Ronnie Burrage
Recorded March 2024
From performing with Duke Ellington at just nine years old, having his own band with Marcus Miller and Kenny Kirkland, to playing with Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, McCoy Tyner, and countless others, Ronnie has had a really impressive career.
He's currently staying busy teaching, working with his non-profit called World Rhythm Academy, and playing with his band, Holographic Principle.
Links:
ronnieburrage.biz
Instagram
World Rhythm Academy
Holographic Principle live at Clement's Place
Ronnie with McCoy Tyner
The song featured in this episode is Village of the Darned from the album Neohippus by Jack Walrath.
My blog post that I mentioned at the top of the episode:
A Hearing Test Saved My Life
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.
...more
1h 18min

FAQs about Practicing Drummer:

How many episodes does Practicing Drummer have?

The podcast currently has 15 episodes available.

More shows like Practicing Drummer

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast by Marc Maron

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

30,092 Listeners

Left, Right & Center by KCRW

Left, Right & Center

5,075 Listeners

Working Drummer by Working Drummer

Working Drummer

125 Listeners

Pod Save America by Crooked Media

Pod Save America

87,199 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,376 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,444 Listeners

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend by Team Coco & Earwolf

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

59,437 Listeners

The Al Franken Podcast by The Al Franken Podcast

The Al Franken Podcast

8,567 Listeners

Pablo Held Investigates by Pablo Held

Pablo Held Investigates

47 Listeners

Drummers on Drumming by Ben Hilzinger

Drummers on Drumming

50 Listeners

SmartLess by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

SmartLess

58,278 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,144 Listeners

Drummers on Drumming by Ben Hilzinger

Drummers on Drumming

18 Listeners

Live From My Drum Room With John DeChristopher! Podcast by John DeChristopher

Live From My Drum Room With John DeChristopher! Podcast

28 Listeners

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart by Comedy Central

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

10,816 Listeners