Practicing Drummer
An interview podcast about drums and drumming with a focus on jazz drummers. A few of the featured guests have been Billy Drummond, Steve Smith, Jeremy Dutton, Joe Dyson, and Dan Weiss. Connect with the show on Instagram (@practicingdrummer) and follow the blog at practicingdrummer.com.
E20 - Kayvon Gordon
Recorded September 2026
Kayvon 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...
E19 - Kai Craig
Recorded May 2026
Kai 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.
https://www.instagram.com/kaiicraig
Website
https://kaicraig.com
Kai Craig - A Time Once Fo...
E18 - Steven Crammer
Recorded March 2026
Steven 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 a...
E17 - Eliza Salem
Recorded in February 2026
Eliza 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: @sickwormfacts
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
https://bkcm.org/profile/eliza-salem/
Wilcoxon - All American Drummer
https://amzn.to/4rK...
E16 - Charles Goold
Recorded December 2025
Charles 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.com
https://www.instagram.com/chuckgeezy
https://charlesgoold.bandcamp.com
Full show notes and l...
E15 - Steve Smith
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...E14 - Ron Tierno
Recorded June 2025
Ron 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...
E13 - Mark Ferber
Recorded June 2025
Drummer 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 re...
E12 - Hank Allen-Barfield
Recorded February 2025
Hank 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.com
https://www.instagram.com/hankallenbarfield
Stella Cole Tour Dates
https://www.stellacole.net
Nica's Dream at Emmet's Place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB7yhEZ7c...
E11 - Scott Amendola
Recorded January 2025
Scott 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...
E10 - Joe Dyson
Recorded November 2024
Joe Dyson is a drummer from New Orleans who now lives in New York City. His album Look Within has been out for a few years and he hinted at a new solo project and another Bridge Trio album coming in 2025.
Joe has worked with Pat Metheny, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Joel Ross, David Weiss, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), and many others.
Links
https://www.joedyson.com/
https://www.instagram.com/joe_dyson/
https://joedyson.bandcamp.com/album/look-within<...
E9 - Jeremy Dutton
Recorded June 2024
Jeremy Dutton is drummer from Houston who now lives in New York City. He was featured in Modern Drummer magazine last year and his first album as a leader, Anyone is Better Than Here, has been out for almost exactly a year. Aside from his solo projects, he plays regularly with Joel Ross, Vijay Iyer, James Francies, and many other great artists.
Links:
The music featured in this episode is t...
E8 - Colleen Clark
Recorded April 2024
Colleen Clark earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas and after living in NYC for many years, she’s now an Assistant Professor of Jazz at the University of South Carolina.
In addition to her role at USC, Colleen has several musical projects and the recent album with her band Alliance received a 4 star review in Downbeat. She is also the founder and artistic director of USC’s Jazz Girls Day.
Links:
E7 - Geoff Clapp
Recorded March 2024
Geoff Clapp spent the majority of his career in New Orleans where he was mentored by Ellis Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell, and many others. He has a couple of great albums out as a leader and has played with Dianne Reeves, Benny Green, Charlie Hunter, Sam Fribush, Wynton Marsalis, Nicolas Payton, and many others.
Links:
The music featured in the episode...
E6 - Ronnie Burrage
Recorded March 2024
From performing with Duke Ellington at just nine years old, having his own band with Marcus Miller and Kenny Kirkland, to playing with Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, McCoy Tyner, and countless others, Ronnie has had a really impressive career.
He's currently staying busy teaching, working with his non-profit called World Rhythm Academy, and playing with his band, Holographic Principle.
Links:
ronnieburrage.bizInstagramWorld Rhythm AcademyHolographic Principle live at Clement's PlaceRonnie with McCoy TynerThe song featured in this episode is Village of the Darned from the album Neohippus by...
E5 - Dan Weiss
Recorded May 2023
Dan is a drummer and tabla player living in Brooklyn with a unique musical voice that draws from jazz, Indian classical, progressive rock, hip hop, metal, and more. In addition to his varied work as a sideman, he’s also a highly regarded bandleader and composer. Be sure to check out the Dan Weiss Trio and his band Starebaby.
Links
The song featured in this episode is Halfway to Hartford by Noah Preminger.
Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
Instagram
Yo...
E4 - George Fludas
Recorded May 2023
George Fludas is a staple of the Chicago scene who has toured extensively as a member of Ray Brown's Trio, and with groups led by Hank Jones, Diana Krall, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton and Joey DeFrancesco. George is also a great rock drummer and a John Bonham expert.
Links:
George's websiteInstagramYouTubeBonhamologyPeople’s Front of ZeppelinPhilly Joe Jones Brush ArtistryYurt Rock sample packsChicago Pizza
Uno and DuePequod'sVilla Napoli (Tavern style)Jimmy's (New York style)Other podcast interviews with George Fludas:
Working DrummerDrum Hi...E3 - Billy Drummond
Billy Drummond - Recorded April 2023
Billy Drummond is a jazz drummer based out of New York who has played with Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, J J Johnson, Sonny Rollins, and countless others. He’s also a great band leader with several wonderful records under his own name. His most recent album as a leader, Valse Sinistre, was a Downbeat Best Album of 2022.
Links:
E2 - Colin Stranahan
Colin Stranahan - Recorded April 2023
Based out of Brooklyn, Colin plays and tours with a wide range of artists and is a member of Kind Folk, Real Feels, and the Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato Trio.
Links:
The songs featured in this episode are Forecast (intro) and Joy Ride (outro).
Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
Instagram
E1 - Brad Webb
Brad Webb - Recorded April 2023
Brad is a drummer from Louisiana and after studying classical percussion for most of his life, he switched his focus to drum set.
He’s living up in Boston now and it was great to catch up with him and learn more about his development as a player.
Links:
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