Category: Journal

Journal #7

I’m in the middle of editing another podcast episode that I’ll put out in the next couple of weeks and have a few more interviews lined up. In the meantime, here are a few things to check out if you have the time.

Billy Hart

A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to see Billy Hart with The Cookers, and put up a reel on my Instagram of his incredible playing behind a sax solo.

It was a fun night and I was thrilled that I got a chance to say hi to him after the show. I’m not a big autograph guy, but couldn’t resist having him sign my copy of his autobiography. He was so humble and nice.

Here’s a 10 minute (!) drum solo from the show that I put up on YouTube. This was my first time using iMovie and it was pretty painless, so maybe I’ll do more of this sort of thing.

SF Jazz at Home

I recently subscribed to SF Jazz at Home so I could access their streaming archive. It’s only $7.50 per month. There’s lots of great stuff and the quality is incredible.

Highlights so far are the John Scofield shows from a few months ago. One is the Combo 73 quartet with Bill Stewart on drums, but the one that I’ve watched a few times now is a trio set with Nasheet Waits. I’ve been checking him out more lately, so being able to see this was very exciting.

Here’s one of the tunes from that stream that SF Jazz posted on YouTube. This one is great because it shows Nasheet soloing on a slow groove based tune. It really shows off his incredible time and control.

And here’s one from Combo 73 featuring Bill Stewart.

Zildjian 400th Anniversary Concert

Zildjian put up a playlist of some incredible performances from their 400th anniversary concert. Lots of great stuff, but my favorites are Adam Nussbaum and Marcus Gilmore. You can view the full playlist here.

Adam Nussbaum playing one of my favorite songs, “Ralph’s Piano Waltz”:

Marcus Gilmore:

Have a great weekend.

Journal #6

Hope everyone is having a good 2026 so far. In case you missed it, I put out a new podcast episode with Charles Goold a couple of weeks ago. Fun conversation.

Marcus Gilmore streaming tonight

If you see this on January 16, 2026 be sure to check out the livestream from Smoke Jazz Club tonight. Marcus Gilmore is playing with Brad Mehldau! I can hardly wait.

Get your streaming tickets here.

Billy Hart book: Jazz Drumming

I still can’t believe that I didn’t know about this book until reading about it in Billy’s autobiography. Just got it the other day and it’s great.

Billy Hart: Jazz Drumming

This book and CD set includes transcriptions of Billy Hart’s playing on 6 tunes with supportive commentary on each performance. The recording features two mixes of each composition, one mix for listening and one play-along track without drums. Sidemen include John Abercrombie (guitar), Richie Beirach or Bill Dobbins (piano), Jimmy Knepper (trombone), David Liebman (soprano & tenor saxophone), Ron McClure or Rufus Reid (bass), Louis Smith (flügelhorn), and Bobby Watson (alto saxophone).

Billy Hart Jazz Drumming

Ari Hoenig on playing with records

I’ve been meaning to share this video of Ari talking about how to approach playing with records. I really like his idea about listening for a chorus, playing for a chorus, etc.

Frankie Dunlop on Hackensack

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been transcribing (by ear) and working on Frankie Dunlop’s solo on Hackensack from Monk’s live Tokyo recording.

I’ve loved Frankie’s playing for a long time but this is the first time I’ve worked any of it out. Even though I’m only 20 bars in, working on phrases at this medium-slow tempo is already helping my playing.

His solo starts around the 8:53 mark.

Have a good weekend.

Journal #5

Street Beat: Drumming Below Sea Level

I’ve been hearing about this documentary on New Orleans drummers for a while, and it’s finally out! Great work by everyone involved. It’s only $5. Easy decision. Get it here.

Bill Stewart Live Stream on Friday Night

This weekend Bill is playing at Smoke as part of the Coltrane Festival.

They’re streaming it live on Friday night (December 12, 2025).

Two sets. You can get tickets here.

Speaking of Bill Stewart, the new issue of DownBeat features a transcription of his trading on ‘Ten Foot Two’ from his 2025 album Live at the Village Vanguard.

Bonus: Here’s an old bootleg from 2003 that features Bill Stewart on drums.

Emmet’s Place is Back!

This was an awesome show and the new venue is great. What a treat to have Joshua Redman there. Young trumpeter Skylar Tang sat in as well and was fantastic.