Welcome to the Discussions section. Here you can leave me a message or post a question. I'll do my best to respond in person. If you'd like to contact me directly, feel free to email me at the address below.


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Howdy,John--- Seems everyone says"remember me?" Well--me too! I'm the gal from S.C. who attended the Jamie A. camp 3 years ago(and have ever since). I was the older one there who had never played until that year. I saw you at the Vanguard several years ago but we didn't get to speak. I'm here for the rest of the month. Are you playing on the 20th or 27th? I'll come if you are and speak this time. I hope you are in town and we can connect... Peggy Parker
by Peggy Parker (hampton,sc)October 18, 2008 12:32 PM
Dear John, I can recommend a wonderful record to everybody. It is from the Oscar Peterson Trio (1962), with Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums. It is great Stuff to listen to, and I use(d) it for many Years as a playalong for myself and for my students. The title is "Night Train", an it`s a real "classic" album to me !! I am sure, You know this release John, and perhaps, You have the same oppinion to "Night Train". "see" You next time here, Yours Sincerely Matthias, Unna (Germany)
by Matt Rumpf (Unna, Germany)October 18, 2008 11:47 AM
Hey John, This is Gabe Smith, the drummer you met at Interlochen Arts Academy last spring. I've been transcribing a lot in college so far and I'm further understanding more players and their vocabulary/licks. So far I've been hook on Ben Riley and Elvin (I know, very different. ha.) and my teacher up in Boston has told me that I've transcribed and that's all I need to do, but for all the work I've done, I was thinking I might as well memorize the solos.. Originally I came to ask you if this was a good idea, but I just pulled out the Jazz Drummer's Workshop and read what you had to say on transcribing and I think I'm gonna go ahead and learn them. Now, my question for you is, what's the best way to learn them? Slow enough that I can play it all the way through? Measure by measure? Phrase by Phrase? Along with the recording? I've memorized a few transcription, but I always feel like I'm doing something wrong and change my method every time. Also, I see that you're playing with Luis Bonilla on Nov. 11, but I was wondering if you had anytime in the morning or afternoon to give a lesson and hear how these transcriptions sound. All the best, Gabe
by Gabe Smith (Boston)October 17, 2008 8:13 PM
Mr. Riley, I have been immersed in your book "The Art of Bop Drumming" for the last 24 hours. I played in the jazz band for four years in high school, and fortunately had good instructors who taught me how to read music. But as most kids are, I was mainly interested in rock drumming, essentially writing off jazz drumming, thinking that "I could just make it up". Well, now I'm 38 years old, and getting back into drumming after taking a couple of years off to start a family and remodel a home. I now find my musical tastes changing, enjoying jazz more than ever. I wanted to learn to play right, and after listening to a lot of recordings, I have realized that bop is so cool, so difficult and so much fun. I think this book is incredible, thoughtful, logical and inspiring. It helps make sense of what I always just considered "vamping". I start my lessons with Jay Lawrence tomorrow, and I will be more than prepared. Thanks for such a great book & cd. Sincerely, Troy
by Troy Thueson (Salt Lake City, Utah)August 28, 2008 11:47 AM
Hi John, I hope Im not duping this message I forgot the ver. code, anyway, again I am so thankful for your book the art of bop. It has been a great help in getting back to playing. You should be proud because you've covered every base on the book. I have a question, when practicing the comping exercises with snare and bass, when I get around 180ish on the metro, it gets difficult for me to make everything fit. i've heard you play these figures at twice the tempo and it seems effortless. Is there any advise you can give for faster tempos, or will it come naturally if I continue to shed these exercises everyday ? Also, do you give private instruction if I wanted to come your way for a few lessons ? Thanks Mike
by Mike Robbins (FL)July 16, 2008 2:39 PM
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