Introduction

Written by Zack Albetta

Discographies: Introduction  |  Jazz  |  Rock  |  Hard Rock/Metal  |  Fusion

As a member of numerous online forums, I have noticed that one of the topics that frequently comes up is what we should be listening to. Whether they are into jazz or death metal, many drummers want suggestions as to what artists and albums are essential listening material from a drummer’s standpoint. So, with the drummer’s standpoint in mind, I have compiled four listening lists—jazz, fusion, rock and metal—that, in my humble opinion, every drummer should hear at least once. Different artists and titles made the list for different reasons, which I will leave up to you to draw. Some, like John Bonham with Led Zeppelin and Max Roach with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, are no-brainers and would show up on most anyone’s list. Others, like Bill Stewart with John Scofield or Vinnie Caliouta with Frank Zappa, are probably more obscure. This is an entirely subjective project, and no two drummer’s lists will look the same. These are simply the artists and titles that have helped shape my drumming over the years and that I feel other drummers can benefit from hearing. If you have any questions or comments about the artists I have selected and/or the ones I left out, feel free to contact me via my MySpace Music page. Happy listening!

Discographies: Introduction  |  Jazz  |  Rock  |  Hard Rock/Metal  |  Fusion