Drummin' Men: The Swing Years

Burt Korall author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:13th May '04

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Drummin' Men: The Swing Years cover

This book explores the evolution of bebop through jazz drumming, highlighting influential drummers and their impact on the genre during the swing era, offering personal insights and oral histories from key figures.

Drummin' Men: The Swing Years delves into the vibrant world of bebop, a pivotal modern music style within jazz, with a particular emphasis on jazz drumming. Author Burt Korall explores how qualities such as speed, precision, and adventurous spirit transformed the rhythmic landscape of jazz, playing a crucial role in the establishment of bebop. This book stands out as a classic account of the genre, weaving together the personal narratives of drummers and musicians who shaped the music during its golden era.

The 1930s marked the height of swing music's popularity, filling airwaves and venues across the country. Drummers were essential to this sound, serving as the heartbeat of jazz. Prominent figures like Gene Krupa, Ray McKinley, and Buddy Rich emerged during this time, showcasing the significant impact drummers had on the overall jazz experience. Korall emphasizes the importance of these musicians, highlighting their contributions and the dynamic energy they brought to the stage.

Through a blend of oral history and personal memoir, Drummin' Men offers readers an intimate glimpse into the lives of legendary drummers and the broader jazz scene. Korall's interviews with key figures provide unique insights into the swing era, making this book an invaluable resource for jazz enthusiasts. It celebrates not only the music of the time but also the remarkable individuals who dedicated their lives to its creation, ensuring that their stories resonate with readers for years to come.

"Korall's eagerly awaited sequel to his swing-era treatise is a lively, fascinatingly detailed text composed of narrative, exegesis, interviews and musical examples. Korall tells you exactly what these tub-thumpers did to make their music sound the way it did, from the obscure Lou Fromm to the familiar Kenny Clarke."--Seattle Times/Post-Intelligencer
"If you want to know what modern drumming is all about, this is your book. Burt Korall has done a remarkable job, and I strongly recommend it."--Artie Shaw
"Nobody writes about jazz drumming like Burt Korall. He gets inside the important drummers, the jazzmen who played with them, the arrangers and the leaders, to capture the excitement, the feel, even the sound of the Bebop Era. What an achievement!"--Dom Cerulli, The Jazz Word
"Attention drummers, jazz lovers, bebop lovers, and students of jazz history! Run--I repeat, run--do not walk to your local bookstore and purchase this absolutely wonderful book."--Allegro
"Korall digs deep into the hippest period in drumming history. A fascinating must-read for any drummer of style or lover of modern jazz."--William F. Miller, Editorial Director, Modern Drummer Magazine
"Burt Korall uses the topic of bebop drumming to range across the larger territory of music. Masterly in concept, scope and detail, his book tells the stories of the great bop drummers, and Korall is a superb story teller."--Doug Ramsey, author of Jazz Matters: Reflections on the Music and Some of its Makers
"Unexpected coverage of artists like Tiny Kahn, Stan Levey, Shadow Wilson, and Don Lamond provide diversity and a greater understanding of how bop drumming evolved. It is a readable tome that would appeal to jazz enthusiasts and jazz scholars alike."--Library Journal

ISBN: 9780195176643

Dimensions: 144mm x 229mm x 22mm

Weight: 431g

320 pages