RIP Alan Myers

Just got word that Devo's original drummer, Alan Myers, passed away due to cancer. Myers was an important early influence on me and many drummers of my generation. He was one of the first live drummers to play like a drum machine and put it in an American popular music context. Players as diverse as Questlove and Jojo Mayer owe him a debt.

Blakey

Long, time, no blog. I never call, I never write.......no excuses, I'll just get on with it.

Here's some great footage of one of Art Blakey's greatest versions of the Messengers from the early 60s. As always, Art demonstrates his creativity and fierce commitment to the groove. Enjoy!



Also, I transcribed Mr. Blakey's simple, yet elegant ballad brush pattern he plays on Wayne Shorter's feature, "I Didn't Know What Time It Was".

Here's the pattern:



Thanks for your patience and see you soon.