The unicorn

[HolmeBass]

I've played with some jazz guys who get the genre-specific things and understand there are more different grooves than just swinging, no matter how hard they swing. Many super musicians met that way.

But I've also played with guys who seemed to feel that jazz is always appropriate, that all other improvisational music like rock or funk are just subsets of jazz and therefore all of their jazzy approach will work fine no matter what. Can't stand those kinds of players. They're just tone deaf.

 

[electracoyote]

No? I’ve seen it happen with both a guitarist and a drummer.

Same here. I've seen a wide variety of instrument players and singers unable to reflect and assess; instead they torpedoed their own band and limited the followings and gig opportunities. Of course, some of the band members played the enabler and remained oblivious or bit their tongues through the process rather than take action.

 

[Gringo Basso]

I enjoy the simplicity of a drummer and bassist forming a rhythm section founded on the principles of simplicity and playing only what the song requires.
Drummers who think they're a percussion cathedral? I have absolutely no time for them. If I were to offer advice it would be stop playing with that clown ASAP, even if you have to quit your own band to do so - your mental health is worth it! And jazz doesn't mean complex - this guys just a clusterf*#k.

 

[Kevorargh]

I have played with a number of jazz influenced drummers - one is seasoned and knows when and where to get jazzy and experimental and when to lock in a groove. The other needs a few more years to get seasoned - doesn't like a straight ahead beat or a blues shuffle at all.

The worst was playing as an open mic backing band with a jam-band drummer who never, ever, kept the beat and filled to his hearts content, with his tongue hanging out like a dog all night. I lasted one ski season in that band.

 

[Sixgunn]

Someone who's good with one type of music is not automatically good with another..... cough..... Jeff Berlin in Yes..... cough.....

 

[Sixgunn]

As any musician knows, there is no excuse for overplaying. The groove is sacred.

George Lynch knows this

 

[Sixgunn]

I dont buy that a fancier drummer appeared and the band lost its following as a result.

So a dance band losing it's groove and dancability is a mystery to you?

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Nothing I hate more than a drummer that overplays. I played with a guy who just couldn't help himself.

I used to occasionally have to play with a guy that would insert Neil Peart fills into one neat places, unfortunately he lacked the talent to execute it properly.

Not easy go take.

 

[Iamgoodformetal]

I have been in this exact situation, except Jazz Boy wasn't that great. Nothing like trying to play Guns & Roses with with the kick just going off at random.

Has nothing to do with jazz - it's your drummer's ego. The Funk Brothers (Motown session musicians for the few here who don't know) were all jazz musicians who worked at Motown for the steady paycheck. A good musician plays what the song needs.

But that was 60 years ago. Jazz has lost any concept of humility.

 

[RustyAxe]

The ultimate joy is when you end up with one of these busy jazzy drummers as a sub without realizing it until you're a couple of songs in. Talk about taking an already compromised situation and making it even more painful. It's like being a wild animal with your paw caught in a trap for three or four hours.

My world since our drummer had open heart surgery. A very apt description, btw!

 

[rufus.K]

No? I’ve seen it happen with both a guitarist and a drummer.

no. I haven't. usually there is something else also' but who knows in this case.

 

[rufus.K]

So a dance band losing it's groove and dancability is a mystery to you?

nope' didnt say that. just wont blame a band (that may or may not have ever had a big following) not thriving because allegedly a jazz drummer showed up. I would want to interview the rest of the band first and find out what's happening.
reading the replies, I it seems there's a bit of intimidation by the "jazz" of it all from a portion of the thread responders and they're possibly commiserating here.
but I couldn't really say for sure.

 

[WardEarth]

A better drummer would know how to hold it down and add in the spice tastefullly. Sounds like you've def got a problem and it doesn't have an easy solution. If it bugs you as much as it sounds like it does, I'd probably consider moving on. If the rest of the band is cool with this guy, its just going to create even more problems for you if you push the "him or me". Good luck, may the bass be with you.

 

[Sixgunn]

nope' didnt say that. just wont blame a band (that may or may not have ever had a big following) not thriving because allegedly a jazz drummer showed up. I would want to interview the rest of the band first and find out what's happening.
reading the replies, I it seems there's a bit of intimidation by the "jazz" of it all from a portion of the thread responders and they're possibly commiserating here.
but I couldn't really say for sure.

I'm not sure that's the intent of this thread. The OP has valid points and has stated that's why the band has been losing their audience. Debating the reasons is kind of off topic.

 

[WhenTheDrumsStops]

Anyone else that was hoping this topic would be about the bass brand 'Unicorn'?

 

[electracoyote]

but I couldn't really say for sure.

No, you really couldn't. Yours is pretty wild speculation about the posters to this thread if you ask me.

I read music. I play jazz guitar and bass. I'm not "intimidated" by jazz players.

Regardless of how any of us feel about jazz or jazz musicians, it's easy to conceive of a player bringing the wrong approach to a band. It's even easier to conceive of a busy player and his mad chops cluttering up a band whose focus is laying down relatively simple dance grooves.

If you haven't seen an undisciplined inappropriate drummer sending people walking away from the dance floor with frustrated looks on their faces, consider yourself lucky.

I'm sure some jazz drummers could handle it and play with taste and good sense. I'm equally certain some drummers have no control over themselves and aren't all that interested in playing to the situation and needs of the project. That's what the OP sounds like to me.

 

[40Hz]

reading the replies, I it seems there's a bit of intimidation by the "jazz" of it all from a portion of the thread responders and they're possibly commiserating here.

I think it may be a little more "reading into" than actual reading...

but I couldn't really say for sure.

Agree. You can't.

 

[rufus.K]

lol. yes

 

[ObsessiveArcher]

Check out the Smashing Pumpkins. Jimmy Chamberlin is a jazz drummer. He can make some killer rock beats but adds his own jazz twist. It can be done. Maybe your drummer should check him out...

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Record your rehearsal. Everyone goes home and listens to the original recording and then your track.