Joe Morello passes at age 82

[KenSanders]

He was a jazz legend, a teacher and author. His legacy in the world of music will long endure.

[Carthage]

Hi,

       Joe was a master of the drums.  I'll miss him and anyone who knows of him and what he did will miss him too.   He was an inspiration of what could be done on a drum set.  He inspired me and still does.

Don

[KenSanders]

So many drummers have listened to Joe Morello's 5/4 drum solo on the Dave Brubeck Quartet's recording of "Take Five".  Here is another Joe Morello solo that so vididly displays his unique taste and style.  Enjoy and realize what a great jazz musician the man was.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/B0XED9VI2cg&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/B0XED9VI2cg&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0</a>

[KenSanders]

An intersting live version of "Take Five" from a European tour concert.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/e1S_vA0ougg&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/e1S_vA0ougg&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0</a>

[Carthage]

Hi,

      Thanks for posting those.  Joe was one of a kind.  He played with something that drummers today, for the most part, don't know about, and that is "TASTE".  He played "music" on the drums with something else drummers don't have today and that is finesse.

      I notice he didn't twirl a stick one time and only has four drums.  He didn't need to show off.  His playing said it all.

Don

[KenSanders]

You are soooooooooooooooooo right Don.  No sixteenth notes descending dowardward on eight tom toms for four bars.   

Joe Morello had much countless more intersting ideas than that.   
Why would he ever resort non-musical gimmicks like twirling sticks when he could play a smoother single stroke roll with just his left hand than a master stick twirler could even play with two hands? 

Joe Morello didn't copy anyone or go into the studio with the "standard: drum sound.  He was an original from the word go.  He went for muscial statements that sceamed that's JOE  MORELLO and he did that using the most subtle ways. 

Yes, he displayed impeccable taste, style and finesse.  What absolute musical genius!