The Groove Index, Page 2
Career-spanning playlists celebrating the world’s greatest drummers
Carlton Barrett
Brian Blade
Jim Gordon
Ed Greene
Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste
Idris Muhammad
Earl Palmer
Buddy Rich
Max Roach
John “JR” Robinson
Art Taylor
Welcome to The Groove Index! Click on any drummer above to go to a chronological playlist that tells the musical story of his/her career. Tracks are carefully selected to present a complete picture of the drummer’s evolving style. Listen to any playlist on shuffle to get a proper “mix” of that drummer’s career, or listen from the beginning to get a true sense of their recorded history.
The goal is for The Groove Index to be accessible to casual music-lovers, a resource for drummers of any age/style, and an educational tool for students and teachers alike. If you have suggestions for future features, track additions, or general comments, contact me here anytime. And please follow “GrooveIndex” on Instagram for a “Track of the Day” from The Groove Index catalog. Thanks for visiting! - EN
ALL PLAYLISTS ARE NOW ALSO AVAILABLE ON TIDAL. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS OR SEARCH “THE GROOVE INDEX”
The Groove Index #026: Max Roach
Legendary jazz drummer, bandleader, and civil rights activist. Born in North Carolina in 1924 and died in New York City in 2007, aged 83.
Roach in 20 words or less: The pioneer of modern jazz phrasing, feel, orchestration, and improvisation on the jazz drumset. Storyteller… trendsetter… innovator… icon.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Clifford Brown, Herbie Nichols, Sonny Rollins, Duke Ellington, and many more.
The Groove Index #027: John “JR” Robinson
Famed session drummer from Creston, Iowa. Born on December 29, 1954, and currently active as a California-based performer and studio drummer.
Robinson in 20 words or less: Modern Rock/Pop/R&B hit machine. Every groove (of thousands!) has a unique twist. Impeccable time, feel, and dynamic touch.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Michael Jackson, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie, David Lee Roth, Steve Winwood, Daft Punk, and many more.
The Groove Index #028: Idris Muhammad
Legendary yet unheralded jazz/boogaloo/R&B drummer and bandleader. Born (Leo Morris) in New Orleans on November 13, 1939 and died in Fort Lauderdale, FL on July 29, 2014, aged 74.
Muhammad in 20 words or less: Deep, funky shuffles… New-Orleans swampy feel personified. Inventive use of space & backbeat in his jazz phrasing. Often-sampled boogaloo/funk pioneer.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Fats Domino, Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Roberta Flack, Ahmad Jamal, John Scofield, and many more.
The Groove Index #029: Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste
New Orleans funky drummer, best known as a member of The Meters. Born in New Orleans on December 28, 1948, and currently active as a performer.
Zigaboo in 20 words or less: The modernizer of the New Orleans second-line beat. Hard-hitting grooves with dynamics and finesse. Linear twists and syncopated turns.
Playlist features classic tracks from: The Meters, Lee Dorsey, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Robert Palmer, The Neville Brothers, Harry Connick Jr., Trombone Shorty, and more.
The Groove Index #030: Brian Blade
Leading modern jazz/pop drummer, composer, bandleader. Born July 25, 1970 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Currently active as a session/touring musician and leader of The Brian Blade Fellowship.
Blade in 25 words or less: “Brian places importance on rhythm and the kind of storytelling that takes you away from the technique of drums. […] He’s a painter.” - Wayne Shorter
Playlist features classic tracks from: Kenny Garrett, Joshua Redman, Bob Dylan, Chris Potter, Wayne Shorter, Norah Jones, Chick Corea, Charles Lloyd, and more.
The Groove Index #031: Jim Gordon
Renowned American session drummer, composer, and founding member of Derek and the Dominoes. Born on July 14, 1945 in Los Angeles, California, and died on March 13, 2023, in Vacaville, California.
Gordon in 25 words or less: The heir apparent to Hal Blaine—masterfully smooth alignment of his hands and kick drum, inventive tom-based fill construction, and legendary hi-hat feel.
Playlist features classic tracks from: The Everly Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner, Delaney and Bonnie, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, Derek and the Dominoes, The Beach Boys, George Harrison, Traffic, Harry Nilsson, Carly Simon, Steely Dan, and more.
The Groove Index #032: Art Taylor
Well-respected American jazz drummer, bandleader, and author. Born in New York City on April 6, 1929, and died on February 6, 1995 in New York City. Spent many years in New York, and also lived/performed in Europe for 20 years.
Taylor in 25 words or less: the complete drummer—famed, infectious ride cymbal feel, exciting solo ideas, underrated brush work, and a life-long student and teacher of jazz, evidenced by his 1977 book, Notes and Tones.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Lee Morgan, Red Garland, John Coltrane, Gene Ammons, Jackie McLean, Dexter Gordon, and more.
The Groove Index #033: Ed Greene
Prolific American session drummer, best known for being Barry White’s drummer of choice for decades. Originally from New York, working in California, and currently active in Nashville.
Greene in 25 words or less: Mr. Underrated! Played on countless Barry White hits, but also loads of funk, rock, pop, & folk records. Clean, authoritative, on-the-beat feel with great propulsive grooves.
Playlist features classic tracks from: The Mamas & The Papas, Barry White, Diana Ross, Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, The Jacksons, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Cher, Tori Amos, and more.
The Groove Index #034: Carlton Barrett
Modern reggae drumming pioneer, best known for his long-standing collaboration with Bob Marley & The Wailers. Born in Kingston, Jamaica on December 17, 1950, and died in Kingston on April 17, 1987, aged 36.
Barrett in 25 words or less: A groundbreaking original voice, dubbed “The Field Marshall” as he led reggae forward. Popularized the “one-drop” with propulsive improvisation and now-classic groove and fill vocabulary.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Slim Smith, Harry J All Stars, Lee “Scratch” Perry, The Upsetters, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, The Heptones, Justin Hinds, and more.
The Groove Index #035: Buddy Rich
Famed American jazz drummer and bandleader. Born in Brooklyn, New York on September 30, 1917, and died on April 2, 1987 in Los Angeles California. While most famous for his blistering solos and namesake big band, he has an impressive early career discography to explore.
Rich in 25 words or less: Legendary hands (…the single stroke champion), yet also: amazing rudimental prowess, dexterity between hands and feet, and intense propulsive energy. Dig the early stuff!
Playlist features classic tracks from: Tommy Dorsey, Nat King Cole, Flip Phillips, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Bud Powell, Art Tatum, the Buddy Rich Big Band, and more.
The Groove Index #036: Earl Palmer
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Earl Palmer was born on October 25, 1924 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and died on September 19, 2008 in Banning, California. Perhaps more than any other drummer, Palmer combined jazz, R&B, and New Orleans drumming to create the rock & roll style.
Palmer in 25 words or less: Parade beat grooves to the drumset = changed the history of music. Deep, swampy swing, tight pocket, and refined, song-first composition.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Little Richard, Art Neville, Sam Cooke, Ritchie Valens, Eddie Cochrane, The Byrds, The Monkeys, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, and more.