Ollie Usiskin Interview (Christopher Lee, Mike Stern, Jimmy Haslip): Tony, Clinics & NYC Drums

In this interview, we sit down with Ollie Usiskin, a well-regarded session drummer who's played across a huge range of genres. Ollie shares his experiences working on a wide variety of music projects, from a free-jazz duo with an electric cello player to a heavy metal album with actor Christopher Lee.Ollie discusses his career as a session musician, including his philosophy on preparation and his approach to adapting to different musical styles. He speaks candidly about his collaborations with legendary musicians like producer Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets) and guitarist Carl Orr (Billy Cobham), emphasising the importance of treating everyone with respect and humility.A major focus is on Ollie's deep appreciation for fusion music. He talks about his love for the genre and the influence of iconic drummers like Tony Williams and his band Lifetime. In a brilliant story, Ollie recalls meeting Tony Williams and even being offered the chance to be his drum tech, and reflects on the incredible energy of his performances.This interview is a must-watch for drummers and music fans, offering valuable insights on professionalism, learning, and the importance of staying grounded in a world of musical legends.00:00:00 - Introduction to Ollie Siskin00:01:25 - Working with Producer Jimmy Haslip00:04:45 - The Free-Jazz Duo Project00:07:42 - The Trio Zone Album & Collaborations00:19:45 - Working with Legends & the Christopher Lee Story00:27:52 - Ollie's Versatile Playing Style00:38:31 - The Influence of Tony Williams00:41:40 - Meeting Tony Williams: An Incredible Story00:54:19 - Drummers Collective & Final Words of Wisdom00:56:09 - Dorset Drum Festival & Tuning WorkshopsLinks & InfoOllie's Bandcamp - https://ollieusiskin.bandcamp.com/#ollieusisikin #tonywilliams #drums 🔗 Want to dive deeper and take your skills to the next level? Visit the Drum Dog website here: https://drum.dog for access to a vast library of lessons from top drummers!🔔 If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more drumming content, gear reviews, and lessons from some of the world’s best drummers!💬Join our Discord to chat all things drums! https://discord.gg/TJwFsaZySupport the show