EPISODE · Sep 2, 2026 · 39 MIN
Five-ish records that might finally get you into jazz
from Drummers on Drumming · host Ben Hilzinger
This week on Drummers on Drumming, I’m bringing back a re-edited 2021 conversation with my friend Anthony Fung. The premise was simple: five-ish records and drummers that might finally get you into jazz. Anthony explains what makes each drummer distinct, from Tony Williams’s fearless choices to Roy Haynes’s light touch, Elvin Jones’s rolling feel, and Billy Higgins’s unmistakable swing. We also talk about Anthony’s path from discovering drums through Drumline to studying at Berklee and the Herbie Hancock Institute. If jazz has ever felt hard to enter, this episode offers a great place to start. Artist - The New Tony Williams LifetimeAlbum - Believe ItRelease Year - 1975Key Track - “Fred”Drummer - Tony Williams Artist - Miles DavisAlbum - My Funny Valentine: Miles Davis in ConcertRelease Year - 1965Key Track - “Stella by Starlight”Drummer - Tony Williams Artist - Miles DavisAlbum - ‘Four’ & More: Recorded Live in ConcertRelease Year - 1966Key Track - “Walkin’”Drummer - Tony Williams Artist - Chick CoreaAlbum - Now He Sings, Now He SobsRelease Year - 1968Key Tracks - “Steps–What Was,” “Matrix,” “Windows”Drummer - Roy Haynes Artist - John ColtraneAlbum - A Love SupremeRelease Year - 1965Key Track - “Part I: Acknowledgement”Drummer - Elvin Jones Artist - McCoy TynerAlbum - SupertriosRelease Year - 1977Key Tracks - “Moment’s Notice,” “Blues for Ball”Drummers - Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette Tony Williams plays on “Moment’s Notice.” Jack DeJohnette plays on “Blues for Ball.” Artist - Lee MorganAlbum - CornbreadRelease Year - 1967Key Tracks - “Cornbread,” “Ceora”Drummer - Billy Higgins The album was recorded in 1965, which explains the year mentioned during the conversation. It was released in 1967. Artist - Max RoachAlbum - We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now SuiteRelease Year - 1960Key Track - No individual track namedDrummer - Max Roach --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today 🎯 Click here to order now! Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Five-ish records that might finally get you into jazz
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