The Way Big Band Drumming Should Be Played Driving! Exciting! Swinging!
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- Опубліковано 9 жов 2024
- As the drummer and leader of my Ken Loomer Big Band, it`s so important for me to drive the music with my drumming and support my fellow excellent musicians. First you must feel this music and have a great swing ride cymbal pulse that is strong. I want my drumming to be exciting so when I get a drum solo break, I want it to be interesting and have a good flow to what I`m playing. At one point I`m playing the melody on the snare drum with my press rolls. I have learned from the great Big Band drummers like Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Butch Miles, Sonny Payne, Jeff Hamilton, and Ed Shaughnessy that you must drive the Big Band and have the musicians feel your groove at all times. This song I`m playing is one of the last new arrangements that Buddy Rich played in 1986 called The Trolley Song. A very exciting arrangement done by Matt Harris and played so wonderful by my Big Band.
Ken, during your solo I heard the trolley car theme in your press roll. Beautiful, lots of excitement on the bandstand too!
So glad you notice I was playing the melody of the song during my press rolls with accents. Thanks to my outstanding musicians, this is a very exciting arrangement to play. As the band leader, I get to choose the charts to be play and how I want it to sound with a few changes that I made. Thanks so much Steve for your comment.
The band sounds better every time I listen! That was a nice chart! It’s a real pleasure to hear this band. Great chops Ken!
What you said means a lot to me. As a drummer Big Band leader, it`s always about the music first for me. I just want to support my fellow musicians with my drumming to make the music exciting and feel good. Thanks so much for your comment.
I'm a huge music fan, but only what you might call a casual jazz fan. I have my moments in life when jazz is on all day, but most days are an electric mix of rock and hip hop. That said, I've seen some jazz notables and even a few greats. I also recall some old live albums from the 50s... and one in particular was a Gene Krupa orchestra performance and I always remember it exactly as you described in the title - big, driving, exciting, and swinging... and I'd add another ALIVE. You are bringing that energy. Well done!
Your comment means a lot to me. As one of the rare drummer Big Band leaders, I try to get new fans to enjoy the type of arrangements that I choose to do. Hearing a live Big Band with these outstanding musicians swinging away at the music, and making it exciting to listen to is why I do these concerts. Thanks so much for your comment.
@@KenLoomer My pleasure, Ken!
Excellent as always. So thrilling. Can hear it all the way to northern Minnesota!!
@@raygildow2005 Doing my best to keep this great Big Band music alive and well. Thanks for your comment.
Ken! Killing it ! You’re improving every time I listen with imbedded confidence! So impressed by the band….all awesome chops! Keep it up my friend!🥁🎶
Dan Weber
As a drummer Big Band leader, it`s all about the music first for me. I want to support my fellow musicians with my drumming on these exciting arrangements I pick for the band to play. This is a roaring swinging Big Band that I`m so proud to play in. Thanks so much for your comment Daniel.
Sounds great! 👍
It`s all about the music for me as a drummer Big Band leader. Must thank my outstanding musicians for their wonderful playing on this exciting arrangement of The Trolley Song. Thanks for your comment.
That must be your favorite kit!
These Slingerland drums is my favorite drum set when I play with my Big Band. When I play with my jazz Quartet or Trio, I enjoy playing on my smaller Gretsch sets that I have.
The band is tight. The drumming is awesome. Don't you sometimes wish you grew up in the big band era? You'd be playing in huge dance halls like all the greats. Regardless, it's amazing that you have venues that will showcase your great band and its amazing leader.
When I grew up in the 60`s and 70`s, a lot of the Big Bands were still on the road like Count Basie, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Harry James, Stan Kenton, and Maynard Ferguson. I saw in concert all of those Big Bands. I fell in love with that Big Band music and decided to form my own Big Band. With hard work as a drummer, my dream has come true for me to be the leader of my Ken Loomer Big Band. All the talk shows back then when I grew up had these great Big Bands on their show. Buddy Rich on Johnny Carson Show all the time. When was the last time you ever saw a jazz musician or Jazz band on any of the Late Night Talk Shows today. It`s Never!! The days of the road Big Band is long gone, but I have been able to keep the sound of a great Big Band like mine here in Florida. Thanks so much for your comment Paul.
Great Great Sounding swinging big band you have ken and of course great playing from yourself. I'm just back home from a two week holiday in Florida,wish I could have seen your band live and met you maybe someday. 🙂
@@brennelson7844 AS you know, the weather is getting really hot here in Florida, and so is this Big Band. It`s always about the music first for me and supporting my outstanding musicians with my drumming to make the music exciting. Thanks so much for your comment.
Great band and music. As a drummer I felt the bell of the ride cymbal was too pingy. I'd have used a light jazz ride.
We drummers get to choose what ride cymbal we like best. For a 15 piece big band, I`m using my 20 inch A Zildjian Ping Ride so my jazz beat can be heard through all the brass. With my jazz trio, I use a K Zildjian Custom medium ride which has a lower pitch. For a Big Band, I want a ride cymbal that people can hear. A light jazz ride would not do the job for a Big Band. I`m sure it sounds great for a jazz trio. Thanks for your comment.
Just love it.those digital rock drummers think they are great ... Ha!!!;them digital freaks are shamed... Yep
I think my real talent is putting together this Big Band and finding all the music I want to play with these outstanding musicians. I always learn the score first so I can tell my musicians how I want the arrangement to be played. It`s always about the music first for me. Then I use my drumming to support the musicians and make the music sound as good as possible. I don`t know many rock drummers who are leaders of their own band.
@@KenLoomer I'm one and I got 2 bands.lead,built,legwork ,
@@Jaythedrummer352 So wonderful to hear of a drummer that leads his own band. Let me know the name of your band and if you have posted some video`s, go ahead and give me the link. Thanks Jay for your comment.
@@JimBrooksDrums The trumpets were standing up and not sitting down. Don`t know why you said that. Since this is not a road Big Band like in the old days and playing 6 nights a week to get tight, I thought the trumpets did good for sight reading this chart at the tempo I played it at. Of course not perfect, but good. Thanks Jim for your comment.