EP 91: The One Rule PJ Spraggins Has for Every Drummer

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by PJ Spraggins, a self-taught drummer and producer whose journey is a masterclass in determination and purpose. PJ dreamed of touring the world, and in 2023, that dream became reality. Now he’s on the road with two-time Grammy winner Peabo Bryson, fresh off performances on the Soul Train Cruise and the Bahrain Jazz Festival with Jeff Bradshaw.PJ takes us back to where it all began—sitting in front of a record player, mesmerized by the Clark Sisters. He shares how church shaped his early rhythm, how he tore up his first drum set in a single day, and why he still holds on to the original kit his mother bought him at age eight.We talk about what it means to listen as a drummer. PJ walks me through his habit of recording gigs to evaluate his performance and how he learned to adjust his volume to serve the music, not overpower it. He stresses that if you can’t hear the band, you’re not playing with them—you’re playing over them.We also dive into the artists who shaped him—from Chuck Morris to Phil Collins—and how he plays open-handed despite being right-handed. PJ shares lessons from 20 years of writing and producing, how he balances studio work with live shows, and why he works on one artist’s project at a time to preserve the integrity of the groove.From high school jazz band to his first studio session, from driving a school bus to sharing memories with Kim Scott, Eric Essix, and Gerald Albright—PJ’s story is full of soul, discipline, and inspiration.