Drummer #31 – Jimmy Smith
There was a window of time when I began my (formal academic journey) to become a more skilled musician. I met Tommy Thomas (1901-1995) Tommy was the inspiration and lit the fire.
I had a difficult time learning to read and understand drum music. Those skills are better in 2023, but I’m not ready to sight-read Frank Zappa’s, The Black Page.
After my initial meeting with Tommy Thomas, I had several lessons with different drum and percussion teachers. In Orlando, there was a music store called Streeps Music. The percussion teacher was Jim Pintorian, he was Principle Percussionist with the Florida Symphony Orchestra.
I had discovered and acquired several drum books authored by notable drummers. Two of them were by Joe Morello and Jim Chapin. Those titles are:
New Directions in Rhythm: Studies in 3-4 and 5-4 Time (1963) - Joe Morello
Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer – Jim Chapin
Both of those books are still two of the most popular and useful tools in a drummer’s library.
I had a couple lessons with Jim Pintorian. I was impressed, he could rip though both of those books. He was a great reader and easily demonstrated how to play those difficult lessons and exercises.
I was familiar with the Dave Brubeck song Take Five. I was also interested in playing odd time signatures. I’d recently acquired the eight-track tape by the group Captain Beyond. Local legend, Bobby Caldwell was the drummer on this record. He was playing amazing new rock grooves in various time signatures. Dancing Madly Backwards in 5. (Very impressive in 1972 and 2023)
At my lesson with Jim, we discussed odd time signatures. He played a record by Don Ellis (1934-1978) Don Ellis was known for his experimentation in the area of time signatures. Frank Zappa drummer, Ralph Humphrey played on several of those disc.
My learning experience as a student with most of my teachers, was not as productive as it could be. I could not figure out what those notes on the pages meant. I could play things that I heard Jim demonstrate, but actual reading the notation was still a mystery. In reality, I was attempting more advanced rhythmic notation than I could digest. I was anxious and should have started like a beginner. This is a quarter note etc….
Jim was a good teacher. He told me about a concert he was playing with the Florida Symphony Orchestra. Jazz artist Erroll Garner (1921-1977) would be featured with his group. I was familiar with the tune Misty. His live album Concert by the Sea, sold more than 1 million copies by 1958. Garner’s playing was influenced by the stride piano style of Fats Waller (1904-1943)
Garner developed a signature rhythmic style that included tempo changes. Shifting back and forth between dragging and rushing. (Russian Dragon) Garner composed Misty in 1954. Lyrics were added by Johnny Burke (1908-1964)
It was a great experience to attend my first Jazz and Orchestra concert. The venue was the old Bob Carr Auditorium in Orlando. I was a bit out of place with the regular season ticket holding audience.
I’m sure Mr. Garner played solo with the Orchestra, but I don’t remember anything from that part of the concert. Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson and The Modern Jazz Quartet come to mind when thinking about Jazz in this environment. Tuxedos were the formal attire.
Playing drums was Jimmy Smith (1938-age 85) Yes, he shares the name with legendary Hammond B3 musician, Jimmy Smith (1925-2005)
Erroll Garner’s quartet included acoustic bass, piano, drumset and conga drum.
I found this format very interesting in 1972. The addition of a percussionist/conga really added to the swing and groove of Mr. Garners’ style.
I mentioned earlier the (Russian Dragon) time effect. It’s also been noted that Garner had independence to play three-against-four and other polyrhythms between his hands. This included 3/2 clave from his left hand.
Jimmy Smith performed with Erroll Garner from 1967 to 1974. He also played with: Benny Carter, Hank Jones, Sonny Criss, Ernestine Anderson, Plas Johnson, Harry Edison, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Zoot Sims, Tommy Flanagan, Terry Gibbs, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel. In 1993 he toured with Kenny Burrell and the other Jimmy Smith.
Revisiting the Youtube videos refreshes my memory from that evening at the Bob Carr Auditorium. This video is the group I saw and heard.