Art Blakey's Jazz Messages is a book about Art Blakey's drumming. Through in depth analysis detailed transcriptions and album references author John Ramsay (drummers with the Jazz Messengers Big Band) gives us an insiders view of Art's unique style. Also included are examples of Art's philosophies and wisdom as told by some of the messengers great alumni. The accompanying CD includes 74 minutes of playing examples of many of the transcriptions in the book. All examples are performed by John Ramsay.

The goal of this play along series is to provide the jazz drummer with play along and practice material that will be challenging informative and musical. The series contains important jazz tunes based on the standard jazz repertoire. While there is no written melody there are a number of melodies that one can sing over the existing chord changes. I have been giving similar recordings to students through the years and this is the result of the feedback about their wants and needs as players. It always seemed to make sense to me to practice in the context of a tune adhering to the form and melody. These play along tunes provide you with a musical backdropto hone your own skills. I certainly encourage you to explore your musical boundaries. These tunes give you a place to practice comping soloing trading fourths and eighths working on your ride cymbal sound etc. As you can see your development is limited only by your imagination! The tempos range from quarter note equals 100 to quarter note equals 320. You can work on these in any given order but we suggest the slower tempos first. I also give you a suggested listening list of essential jazz standards and drummers that exemplify this kind of musical drumming. Steve Davis.

The Stick Bag Book of Jazz Funk & Fusion is the ultimate resource for drummers and musicians. It features the most influential styles rhythms and techniques—all in one handy easy-to-use reference guide. From bigband to funk each rhythm from over 30 classic styles is presented in standard drum notation including fills and performance tips. Whether you are a percussionist producer arranger or songwriter a strong knowledge ofthese rhythms will add to your overall versatility as a drummer and musician. The Stick Bag Book of Jazz Funk And Fusion covers Big Band Dixieland Funk Fusion Classic Jazz Rhythm and Blues and MORE! Also includesbrush patterns and rudiments!

The exercises in this text can help develop your coordination reading and ability to swing in odd time signatures. If practiced thoroughly you will gain the facility and the confidence to express yourself musically.

This book & CD traces the evolution of New Orleans jazz and second-line drumming from the early styles of ragtime and traditional jazz to their modern applications in contemporary jazz.