Practicing Drummer

Recorded September 2026Kayvon Gordon is a drummer from Detroit who's now based in New York. You might know him from Sullivan Fortner's trio with bassist Tyrone Allen. Their first studio album together, Leave That In There, came out in August. Kayvon and Tyrone are also the rhythm section on two of Nicole Glover's albums that I love and are also on saxophonist Kazemde George's trio album, Ocean Passage. We talk about those and some other great recordings he's on.Kayvon has also been busy under his own name. Back in July, he put out a solo drum set record called type shit, and his newest album, blood memory, came out in September. It wasn't out yet when we recorded, but we talk about it, and you can find it now (link below).I had a lot of fun talking to him. Hope you enjoy!Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kayvon.gordonKayvon Gordon - type shithttps://kayvongordon.bandcamp.com/album/type-shitKayvon Gordon - blood memoryhttps://kayvongordon.bandcamp.com/album/blood-memoryFull show notes and links:https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e20-kayvon-gordonPracticing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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 May 2026Kai 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/kaiicraigWebsitehttps://kaicraig.comKai Craig - A Time Once Forgottenhttps://kaicraig-whirlwind.bandcamp.com/album/a-time-once-forgottenKai Craig and Greg Hutchinsonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prbd7xqoSHYSean Payne - Long Story Shorthttps://seanpayne.bandcamp.com/album/long-story-shortInterview on Four on the Floorhttps://jonmccaslinjazzdrummer.blogspot.com/2025/09/kai-craig-time-once-forgotten.htmlKai's Zildjian videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnxZGy5mGjgBranford Marsalis documentaryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNJmyy8IqNoBrice Wassy - Rythmes du Camerounhttps://amzn.to/4ulc4wVThe song featured in this episode is Namesake off of Kai's album.Practicing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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 2026Steven 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.comInstagram: instagram.com/stevencrammerPrawntail - BandcampNortonk - BandcampNortonk - Album release performanceNortonk - Drum solo on CherryDrummersTed PoorGerald CleaverCraig Taborn - ChantsBooksRitmica - Portuguese Brazilian drum bookDan Weiss video coursesJohn Riley's drum booksAlbumsClifford Jarvis with Barry HarrisWilbur Ware - Super Bass (with Ed Blackwell)Jaki Byard - The Last from Lennie's (with Alan Dawson)Ornette Coleman - This is Our MusicCharlie Parker - One Night in BirdlandAndrew Cyrille instructional VHS (clip) - Please reach out if you have a copy of the whole video.Practicing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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 2026Eliza 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: @sickwormfactsBrooklyn Conservatory of Musichttps://bkcm.org/profile/eliza-salem/Wilcoxon - All American Drummerhttps://amzn.to/4rKnLN9Wilcoxon - Rudimental Swing Soloshttps://amzn.to/4b4AS4EMarta Sanchez live at Bop Stophttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRqDwJWNWEkNext Jazz Legacy programhttps://newmusicusa.org/program/next-jazz-legacy/Careful in the Sun - Soft Alarmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBW6P5euuZANicole McCabe - Color Theoryhttps://nicolemccabe.bandcamp.com/album/color-theoryRick Roe - Monk’s Modern Music https://www.roejazz.com/product-page/rick-roe-monk-s-modern-music-cdPracticing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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 2025Charles 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.comhttps://www.instagram.com/chuckgeezyhttps://charlesgoold.bandcamp.comFull show notes and links:https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e16-charles-gooldPracticing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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 JourneyHe’s also considered one of the top jazz and fusion drummersHe’s led his own group Vital information for more than 40 yearsOn 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/stevesmithchannelThe music included with this episode is Sumo by Vital Information.Full show notes and links:https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e15-steve-smithPracticing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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 2025Ron 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.comRon's Broadway Drumming 101 interviewRon's BooksThe Melodic Snare DrummerThe Hip-Hop Snare DrummerThe Swingin' Snare DrummerGood Hands Drum Shop in New York Cityhttps://goodhandsdrumshop.comOther LinksAndy Lalino – Sit In And Play Along On DrumsJim Chapin – Profile Of A Jazz Drummer: Skin TightMusic Minus One – For Drummers OnlyThe Sons of Champlin - Follow Your HeartThe music included with this episode is The Old Man by Frank Weber.Practicing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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 2025Drummer 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.comElvin Jones - Different Drummerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igdN9kFCM-sCharlie Parker Omnibookhttps://amzn.to/4eiNDtuDave Weckl - Contemporary Drummer + Onehttps://amzn.to/3TCREPYMark Ferber - Anemonehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK15bQ6gGK8Spotify Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Qr8yzWpyj5aSGyUyWnkcT?si=c4fd160435ad45f1The music included with this episode is the song Spinning Things by Marc Copland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxOK8dXrPXwPracticing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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 2025Hank 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.comhttps://www.instagram.com/hankallenbarfieldStella Cole Tour Dateshttps://www.stellacole.netNica's Dream at Emmet's Placehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB7yhEZ7ccgLove Walked In at Emmet's Placehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hux2KoN0x74Tim Metzhttps://www.timmetz.comThe Melodic Snare Drummer by Ron Tiernohttps://www.rontierno.com/publicationsBilly Drummond interviewhttps://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-s1-e3-billy-drummondGeorge Fludas interviewhttps://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-s1-e4-george-fludas/The music featured in this episode is from Hank's appearance at Emmet's Place.Practicing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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 2025Scott 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.comhttps://www.instagram.com/scottamendolaThe 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 & Becketthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oLpfEJ8MwIFade to Orange (orchestral project)https://scottamendolamusic.bandcamp.com/album/fade-to-orange-feat-nels-cline-trevor-dunnhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd1kkv7pyBoPete Engelhart Sapo Bellhttp://www.peteengelhartmetalpercussion.com/sapo.htmlRed Panda pedalshttps://www.redpandalab.com/Drolo pedalshttps://drolofx.com/ZT guitar ampshttps://www.ztamplifiers.com/Practicing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe 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.