Gary Jenkins / Drummer #33 - Clarence Palmer - George Benson
100 drummers I’ve seen and heard in my lifetime
#33 Gary Jenkins
The Orlando “jazz” scene got a true bump when Clarence Palmer arrived. Clarence and his vocalist wife, Julie Alli took up residence at a well-known hotel/restaurant called Howard Johnsons. It was on the corner of Colonial, Hughey and I-4.
Clarence brought his reputation from performing and recording with George Benson and Lou Donaldson. He was the real deal. Clarence can be heard on the CTI record, Beyond The Blue Horizon with George Benson, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette and percussionist Michael Cameron.
Beyond The Blue horizon, is the first studio album by George Benson on the CTI label. It was engineered by the great Rudy Van Gelder. I bought most CTI records that were released. Deodato, Hubert Laws, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Farrell, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, Airto, Bob James.
Those record jackets had a special feel to them. With Rudy Van Gelder at the sound control, each is a gem of high audio fidelity.
One of favorite drummers, Billy Cobham was the session drummer on many of those projects. His playing and sound was different than what I first experienced with him in Mahavishnu Orchestra.
I don’t remember the circumstance, but I was at the Orlando Musicians Union 389 for a rehearsal band. I wasn’t playing, only listening. (197-?) The bandleader was Nick Russo. Nick was a trumpet player with a gig at Walt Disney World. His group was called Gabriel’s Brass. Again, I don’t know why I was there, if it was an open audition, I don’t remember playing.
Anyway, Gary Jenkins arrived. I think he had just got to town. Gary immediately took over the drum set and began to play with the band. He was high energy with lots of attitude. He definitely knew how to drive the bus. He was impressive.
Gary may have already passed the audition for a Disney gig, but I’d soon see and hear him with Clarence Palmer.
Gary also had a history with Clarence Palmer. There were several musicians that connected into that Guitar, Drums, Hammond B3 ensemble. Nathan Page eventually moved to Orlando. He had been playing with Jimmy Smith. Doctor Lonnie Smith had a brief residence in Orlando. Lonnie is well known for his stint with Lou Donaldson. That boogaloo groove has always been on my radar as a favorite style.
Gary Jenkins had a style that was very unique, but a trademark of others. Gary’s posture, setup and sound was similar to other organ trio drummers I’d seen. But, Gary was more into a Tony William’s thing.
Buddy Miles (1947-2008), Alphonse Mouzon (1948-2016), Eric Gravitt , Ndugu Leon Chancler (1952-2018) had similar ways to set up and play their cymbals. I’ve also noticed Billy Hart and Al Foster use that approach. There’s a certain sound, decay and articulation with it.
Hearing Gary play his ride cymbal in that style was a new sound. Clarence was known for his ability to play tempos at light speed. Gary had zero problem, with more in reserve. His drum and cymbal sound was great. It was always a thrill to hear Gary Jenkins with Clarence Palmer.
In 1976, I was at the International Association of Jazz Educators. Their yearly conference was in Daytona Beach, that year.
Many jazz players and educators were in attendance. After the daytime clinics and seminars, there were jam sessions and performance hangs. Many name jazz artist were on the bandstand, including Willie Thomas and Billy Cobham. Billy was playing a North drumset. That was my first introduction to that drum sound. It was loud. I’ve owned several kits since 1976.
Billy sounded great. It was different hearing him on those drums. I heard him a few years earlier with Mahavishnu Orchestra. When Billy gave up his seat, someone asked if any other drummer wanted to sit in. Gary Jenkins was there and immediately replaced Billy for the jam session. He was not shy or timid about bringing fire to the bandstand.
Badaboom
I’m posting this tune called Gentile Rain. I played it many times with Clarence. I worked with Clarence on several occasions. He was a great bandleader and teacher. I loved playing with him and his wife, vocalist Julie Alli. When George Benson played concerts in the area, he was known to stop by. We had a regular gig at the time. George and his entourage came in at the request of Clarence and the management. When word got out, it became a packed house with George sitting in a reserved table, 3 feet in front of me. We had 2 guitarist sitting in with the band that night, including the great Nathan Page. Nathan worked with Jimmy Smith, Roberta Flack and Sonny Rollins. Nathan played great. When things had settled in, Clarence asked George to sit in. George sang Green Dolphin Street, followed by a duet of Moody’s Mood, with Julie. When George sang, I could feel how strong his time groove was, singing Green Dolphin Street. He told me, he liked the sound of my snare drum.