We’ve already had a look at the 'Snapper' type of snare drum commonly used during the early years of the decade – in many ways a relic of the 1910s. Today we’ll see how the instrument evolved throughout the 1920s to become something more recognisable to modern drummers. The main snare drum I use when … Continue reading Instruments #5: The Windsor Dual-Tension Snare Drum, late 1920s
Brushes
Instruments #3: The ‘Snapper’-style Snare Drum, early 1920s
Before I start today’s article, an admission. When I was first planning ‘Drums In The Twenties’, one concern was that I didn’t want it to become solely an outlet for thinly-disguised bragging about vintage drum gear – something by which the internet is already well served. Speaking honestly, I don’t really have that much interest … Continue reading Instruments #3: The ‘Snapper’-style Snare Drum, early 1920s
Heroes #12: Alfred ‘Tubby’ Hall, 1895-1945
'I got my press roll from [...] Tubby Hall'– Baby Dodds KEY RECORDINGS:[?] With DOC COOK & HIS DREAMLAND ORCHESTRA, 1924With LOUIS ARMSTRONG & HIS ORCHESTRA, dir. CARROLL DICKERSON, 1927-31 Addressing the early life and work of Alfred ‘Tubby’ Hall, hard on the heels of having finished introducing our previous Hero – Mr. Stan King - is … Continue reading Heroes #12: Alfred ‘Tubby’ Hall, 1895-1945
Timeline
See also: GLOSSARY, BIBLIOGRAPHY
Heroes #9: Chauncey Morehouse, 1902-1980
"The drummer[’s] success depends entirely on his own originality" – Chauncey Morehouse KEY RECORDINGS: With THE GEORGIANS, 1922-24 With JEAN GOLDKETTE & HIS ORCHESTRA, 1926-27 With FRANKIE TRUMBAUER & HIS ORCHESTRA, 1927 With BIX BEIDERBECKE & HIS GANG, 1927 In jazz, as in many art forms, certain historical figures occasionally acquire a mythical status, as … Continue reading Heroes #9: Chauncey Morehouse, 1902-1980
Library #4: The First Recorded Drum Solo in Jazz History*
Notated on the page in black and white, it looks innocuous enough. It consists of a very small unit of musical time - just one chorus of a thirty-two-bar tune (not a blues, despite the title) - and of those, it's the content of just nine bars which are important to us. But vitally important … Continue reading Library #4: The First Recorded Drum Solo in Jazz History*
Heroes #7: Ben Pollack, 1903-1971
“Now there was a drummer, one of the finest who ever lived.” – Jimmy McPartland KEY RECORDINGS:With THE NEW ORLEANS RHYTHM KINGS [NORK], 1923With THE STOMP SIX, 1925BEN POLLACK & HIS CALIFORNIANS/ HIS PARK CENTRAL ORCHESTRA, 1926-30With BENNIE GOODMAN & HIS BOYS, 1928With IRVING MILLS [small groups under many aliases], 1928-30 When the name Ben … Continue reading Heroes #7: Ben Pollack, 1903-1971
Drums In The Twenties 