Jazz musicianship & Earthworks

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

In interviews Bill has made clear that 1987 was a dividing point in his career. A division between being a rock drummer and being a jazz drummer. I have also found that many avid rock fans tellt to me that they enjoy jazz music. I do not think there have been many threads about Jazz. Let's talk about Jazz and about Earthworks too. Players like John McLaughlin are high on my list. Who else likes Love, Devotion, Surrender? Share Jazz experiences. Talk about Random Acts of Happiness!

[umgekehrt]

Bruford once said in another interview that "had Yes not come my way, I would have kept playing jazz all my life. But I've always been too rockhead to be a jazz musician and too jazzy for be a rock musician."

[Hed G.]

Bruford once said in another interview that "had Yes not come my way, I would have kept playing jazz all my life. But I've always been too rockhead to be a jazz musician and too jazzy for be a rock musician."

On the Yesyears rockumentary he says :"they were going to sing pop
harmonies and I was going to play jazz drums".

He's still an extraordinary, innovative musician, and his current
work with Earthworks continues to explore the fusion of Jazz and
Rock, being both and neither one at the same time.

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

When I was a kid the first instrument I took lessons for was the drums. I eventually learned to read music and have all sorts of interests. But learning to read rhythms and play the rudiments REALLY helped me later figuring out some other things. Rock music has an overall sound you can't help but groove to. But if you are a drummer you want to do MORE. You have more 'stuff' in the bag of tricks than you can show. I like jazz because you can hear some of these things. The interplay of rolls, flams, and syncopations is very expressive and well interwoven and integrated. Earthworks is a great example. Jazz has a different feel than rock, true. It's more subtle. It's definitely more of a 'date' kind of music in many cases.

Memorable Jazz experience #1: Hugh Maskella -- heard this for the first time from a friend on an old vinyl cut. Jazz always has something gritty to it. It feels very human.

[Yesgalaxy]

I loved Earthworks Album Dig and the tour I thought it was really cool, I like the first lineup of Earthworks with Bates. Jazz has so many avenues, some times I get in a jazz grove for weeks, pick up Simon Phillips two solo albums, Symbiosis and Another Lifetime two fantastic Jazz albums, just wanted to throw those two recordings into the dialog.

[jazzstick]

I LOVE BRuford, Almost everything hes done The early Earthworks stuff is great pop jazz fusion with a sense of humor. I like the new version even more. An interesting thing about Bruford and his Jazz-rock lineage, is that he is one of the most "OPEN" rock drummers ever and yet a very "CLOSED" jazz drummer. Compare his strait ahead playing to Jack Dejohnette, or Bill Stewart and he is much more in the pocket. I just love his whole concept I would love to hear him in more straight jazz setings Like the "summers ghosts" album. Bruford is one of the most individual sounding drummers out there you can always hear his sound when he plays. He's Awesome!!!

Jazzstick

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

Hi jazzstick, and if no one's welcomed you to Yesfans yet let me welcome you! That's just it about Bruford: when you get to a level of skill where you can communicate something and esp communicate something distictive, THAT'S a musician. That's why I like him.

Today's Earthworks tune: Stone's Throw

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

Ummm.... I just noticed ummy.... has he been getting Cindi to make his signatures or has he found the garden of eden?? That's a pretty small fig leaf!

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

Earthworks Track of the Day:
Bridge of Inhibition

The beginning of this tune sounds like the precursor of some Rave music intros. Teens will recognize it that way.

[expojeff]

I have interviewed Bill and EW a couple of times and found the experience wonderful. Bill has been my favorite drummer since I first heard Yessongs in 1973 after I heard Perpetual Change. His newest work with the Underground orchestra is also terrific with many pieces re-arranged by Tim Garland for add'l brass without electric drums.

I have always been surprised as Bill continues to push himself into new music and retains the same high musicianship which he has built his career upon. There is no other drummer from his musicianship who has learned so much and still has so much to offer IMHO.

Jeff

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

Bill's Current Setup

A 6 X 14 Bill Bruford Signature Snare
B 11 X 12 Tom
C 9 X 10 Tom
D 13 X 13 Tom
E 16 X 16 Floor Tom
F 16 X 18 Bass Drum

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d70/cdamezcua/f85aa789.jpg

1 16" Signature Mellow Crash
2 20" Traditional Light Ride
3 14" Traditional Medium Light Hi-Hats
4 20" Traditional Medium Ride
5 20" Signature Dry Ride