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Hey Chris,
I'd say, overall, you may want to think about being light and transparent (if it's truly Jones/Krall-ish), and "soften" your touch on the DRUMS (especially the bass drum); drive the time a bit more from the ride cymbal.
These are just some very general rules of thumb when thinking of the differences between jazz drumming and rock/pop drumming. I'm sure you'll be great. The music will ultimately reveal itself to you and you'll react accordingly. Hope I helped, and best of luck!
-Tom
make sure you go in with drums and cymbals that will help you get into that sonic head space. 18" bass drum and drums wide open and tuned up with coated ambassadors etc.... bring a flat right with a rivet it in if you have one or can borrow one.
Wear dark sunglasses and a black turtleneck sweater to the session and arrive with bongos under your arm. Once inside, demand that someone get you an espresso. Then, while they run down the first song for you, nod your head and whisper "yeah baby!"
Whenever possible, complain about the state of jazz and how the 'language' is only understood by the chosen few.... [img]wink.gif[/img]
DSOP! Yeahhh Baby! [img]cool.gif[/img]
I can't stop laughing!!!
Develop an obsession with Steve Hass and laud it over others...watch Ken Burns' Jazz over and over...pretend you are black...accept Wynton's definition of jazz as 'absolute truth'.
Muahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Man, I have so much great advice here - it's overwhelming!!!
So far I think the shades and bongos might be my best bet.
[img]cool.gif[/img] "YEAH BABY!"
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Seriously though, I'm sure you'll be fine. Just play what feels right for you and the music. You're being hired for what you can bring to the music after all.Quote:
Originally posted by CLWarunki:
So far I think the shades and bongos might be my best bet.
I agree with the "sonic headspace" concept. The sound of your instrument will definitely influence how you play it.
Here's some advice:
1. Practice with lighter sticks
2. Practice without ear plugs. (This will force you to play quieter)
3. Practice with just kick, snare, hi-hat, ride cymbal(This will force you to think creatively)
4. Practice with brushes, playing along to some music. Practice with one brush and one stick. Practice with mallets.
5. Practice switching back and forth between brushes and sticks. (Also, with mallets)
6. Discover how many different sounds you can get out of just your snare drum with sticks, mallets, and brushes, with snares on or off! Now apply these in a groove.
7. Tune your drums a little higher and more "open".
8. Focus more on the cymbals and less on drums("light and airy" or "from the top down")
9. Oil your kickpedal and hi-hat pedals.
10. Listen to a lot of similar music and the drumming associated with it. Jeff Hamilton, Peter Erskine, etc.
Doesn't sound like a bebop gig to me. Your artistic statement will probably be your creativity in playing time. This could open many doors for you- but don't worry about making such a bold artistic statement...if you don't draw attention to yourself, that'll probably mean you're doing a great job- the focus should always be on the singer. Just support them with some ass-kicking time/groove and everyone will be happy!
Pretty funny.
What do they mean Diana Krall/Norah Jones? Diana swings with a traditional feel, Norah is just old school country and folk as far as the drumming goes. Sounds like a wide range of playing. Being that you don't have time to become a musical dictionary , I suggest listening to the albums the engineer is refering to. Sounds like he wants Brian Blade, as he has played with both of those singers. You'll do great! Good luck.
Avi, as dumb and embarassing as your post is, I laughed a little. SDK and I are both african-american. You idiot! HA! No hard feelings though, I know all about the so called "black wanna be's" of jazz. For me music is and always will be color blind.
I actually haven't read the other answers to this cause i just got in and have to get back to rehearsing for a musical... which i am gonna to write a thread on once i have time! [img]confused.gif[/img]
I have a quick word of advice to loosen your play for this gig. Besides all the obvious tuning, cymbal and equip stuff that will make you 'feel' like a jazz drummer (cause that does alot to make you feel like you are in the right place when you sit down and everything sounds how it should in 'jazz')... however, this is what i do when i have to switch from a 'pop' mindset to a 'jazz' one. I sit down with my favorite jazz stuff, listening wise, and play quarters on my ride... just quarters. Nothing else, no snare, no hats, bass drum, NOTHING. Just sit there and try to get as much with my quarters as possible. Do that for a while, try 20min... it seems like a long time, and it is at first. Then start playing around with the Ride a little, but don't add anything else but what you can do on the ride. What it does is open up my feel a little... gives me a feel of how to work in and around the quarter. It really gets my head in the right place.
Just an idea.