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If you could work with any drummer..

Suppose you were building the rhythm section for your music. Of course, there's you on bass, but who would you choose for drums? Chime in with whoever and give some reasons if you want to.

Me, I'd choose Vinnie Colaiuta. The best explanation is to listen to his stuff. I'd recommend starting with Zappa.
 
Hands down, Ringo Starr. I've seen him live twice, and there's a reason he's the world's most famous drummer. He is solid, has style, and can ROCK!

Next, for me, would be Bun E. Carlos. Hard hitter, finesse, and can lay down a back beat like no one, except maybe Ringo!!
 
I forgot to add that just the other day I got to cross someone off my list because I got to play a jazz concert with the local percussion instructor on set and after working with so many bad drummers ....he made my job so easy. Ive watched so many concerts of his and I finally got to play one with him and he ever complemented me that I was " rock solid".
 
If I get to bring guys back from the dead, Jeff Porcaro and John Bonham.

If not, then:

Omar Hakim - groove, taste, chops, he's got it all
Tony Thompson - played with Chic and the Power Station - I think he's still alive, not sure.
Chad Smith - best hard rock groove drummer since Bonham, IMO
Carter Beauford - a little busier than I usually like but he is just so dang musical and can he groove
Steve Smith - unBELIEVable technique and a work ethic 2nd to none

That's my short list.

Drummers I would NOT want to be in a band with:

Keith Moon
Mitch Mitchell
Ginger Baker

Those three are (were) all great talents but they don't groove. Those are guys you have to match chop-for-chop as a bassist and that's just not my thing.
 
I love playing with my drummer, Jake Ford. He's one of the best I've ever met.

Jake aside, I'd probably choose Antonio Sanchez.

Man, Sanchez is awesome. I just saw him live with The Pat Metheny Trio a couple of months ago. Christian Mc Bride was slammin' too. I don't think I'd have the stones to play with Sanchez, the guy's brilliant.
 
I'll never forget the first time I heard Carter Beauford. It was actually a live telecast of "Too Much" (SNL, I think), and he did that fill right before the 1st verse starts and I actually broke out laughing it was so good (does anyone else ever respond to something really good that way? Stevie Ray Vaughn made me laugh a lot, too). I just could not believe someone had the stones to try something like that on live national TV and the chops to actually make it work. And then he's singing as well.

Also, just another plug for Steve Smith. If you think all he is is the guy that used to drum in Journey... man there is a whole lot more to him than that. He does a lot of drum clinics and if he comes to your area I would HIGHLY recommend you go. I don't care that he's a drummer and we're bassists, you will learn things from him that will make you better.
 
Dennis Chamber ! Of course I would order him not to kick me out all the time :D

Omar Hakim (jaming along with the latest Chic Dvds I've found out that he would be a perfect partner for me :D;))

Vinnie Colaiuta - no comment

Ralf Gustke - a fine german drummer

and I have to mention a great friend of mine and monster drummer : Philip Schadebroth :D :hyper: