For most of us, Steve Smith needs no introduction. He’s simply one of the most influential drummers of our time. He was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame for his work with JourneyHe’s also considered one of the top jazz and fusion drummersHe’s led his own group Vital information for more than 40 yearsOn top of all that he’s produced some of the best educational books and videos for drummers - I’m currently obsessed with the brush video he did with Adam Nussbaum where they sit down with Billy Hart, Eddie Locke, Joe Morello, Charlie Persip and Ben Riley who demonstrate their technique. It’s incredible.Anyway, it’s a huge deal that I got to talk to Steve. I’ve been a fan since I was a teenager. Before we get going I want to give a big thanks to friend of the show Scott Amendola for connecting us. And of course, I have to thank Steve for being so generous with his time. As always, I'll put links to everything we talk about in the show notes and on the blog at practicing drummer.com and with that let's get right into it with Steve Smith.https://www.vitalinformation.com/https://www.instagram.com/stevesmithdrums/https://www.youtube.com/stevesmithchannelThe music included with this episode is Sumo by Vital Information.Full show notes and links:https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e15-steve-smithPracticing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.
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E14 - Ron Tierno
Recorded June 2025Ron Tierno's name first came up in my interview with Hank Allen-Barfield, who mentioned studying The Melodic Snare Drummer—a book by Ron—while working with Billy Drummond at Juilliard.Ron has spent his entire career based in New York, where he did some recording and worked extensively as a Broadway musician. He played on the first national tour of CATS and later joined the show's long-running Broadway production.These days, Ron teaches out of Good Hands Drum Shop in Manhattan and continues to take on some freelance gigs. For the past decade, he’s also performed in holiday concerts with the Boston Pops. While he still enjoys playing, Ron now primarily identifies as a Broadway veteran and educator, drawing on his decades of experience.https://www.rontierno.comRon's Broadway Drumming 101 interviewRon's BooksThe Melodic Snare DrummerThe Hip-Hop Snare DrummerThe Swingin' Snare DrummerGood Hands Drum Shop in New York Cityhttps://goodhandsdrumshop.comOther LinksAndy Lalino – Sit In And Play Along On DrumsJim Chapin – Profile Of A Jazz Drummer: Skin TightMusic Minus One – For Drummers OnlyThe Sons of Champlin - Follow Your HeartThe music included with this episode is The Old Man by Frank Weber.Practicing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.
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E13 - Mark Ferber
Recorded June 2025Drummer Mark Ferber appears on more than 200 recordings and remains active with several ongoing projects, including ECM artist Ralph Alessi’s This Against That, the Marc Copland Quartet, the Brad Shepik Organ Trio, and the Grammy-nominated big band and nonet led by his twin brother, Alan Ferber.He maintains a full schedule, performing regularly in jazz clubs and recording studios across Los Angeles and New York, as well as touring internationally. His past collaborations include tours and recordings with a wide range of artists such as Lee Konitz, Gary Peacock, Jonathan Kreisberg, John O’Gallagher, Don Byron, Fred Hersch, Tony Malaby, Anna Webber, Mark Helias, Pete McCann, Matt Pavolka, Michael Attias, and Billy Childs, and many others.In addition to his work as a player, Mark also teaches at Cal State Fresno and in the Masters program at Musicians Institute in Hollywood.https://www.markferber.comElvin Jones - Different Drummerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igdN9kFCM-sCharlie Parker Omnibookhttps://amzn.to/4eiNDtuDave Weckl - Contemporary Drummer + Onehttps://amzn.to/3TCREPYMark Ferber - Anemonehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK15bQ6gGK8Spotify Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Qr8yzWpyj5aSGyUyWnkcT?si=c4fd160435ad45f1The music included with this episode is the song Spinning Things by Marc Copland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxOK8dXrPXwPracticing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.
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E12 - Hank Allen-Barfield
Recorded February 2025Hank Allen-Barfield is a young drummer living in New York City who recently graduated from Juilliard. In college Hank has studied with people like Kenny Washington, Billy Drummond, Paul Wells, and Joe Farnsworth. You can catch Hank playing regularly in New York City or out on the road with Stella Cole.https://hankallenbarfield.comhttps://www.instagram.com/hankallenbarfieldStella Cole Tour Dateshttps://www.stellacole.netNica's Dream at Emmet's Placehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB7yhEZ7ccgLove Walked In at Emmet's Placehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hux2KoN0x74Tim Metzhttps://www.timmetz.comThe Melodic Snare Drummer by Ron Tiernohttps://www.rontierno.com/publicationsBilly Drummond interviewhttps://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-s1-e3-billy-drummondGeorge Fludas interviewhttps://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-s1-e4-george-fludas/The music featured in this episode is from Hank's appearance at Emmet's Place.Practicing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.
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E11 - Scott Amendola
Recorded January 2025Scott Amendola is a drummer who grew up on the east coast and made his way to the Bay Area after his time at Berklee in Boston. With a career spanning more than three decades, he’s an ambitious composer, bandleader, electronics explorer, first-call accompanist, and educator. As a sideman, Scott has performed and recorded with people like Bill Frisell, Regina Carter, John Zorn, Mike Patton, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Laurie Anderson, and many others. With his own projects, some of his closest musical associates include guitarists Charlie Hunter, Nels Cline, and Jeff Parker, Hammond B-3 organist Wil Blades, violinist Jenny Scheinman, saxophonist Phillip Greenlief, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, bassists Trevor Dunn, and Todd Sickafoose.https://scottamendola.comhttps://www.instagram.com/scottamendolaThe music featured in this episode is from the song Skip a Stop from the SticklerPhonics album Technicolor Ghost Parade.Full show notes available at https://practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e11-scott-amendola/SticklerPhonics at Bird & Becketthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oLpfEJ8MwIFade to Orange (orchestral project)https://scottamendolamusic.bandcamp.com/album/fade-to-orange-feat-nels-cline-trevor-dunnhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd1kkv7pyBoPete Engelhart Sapo Bellhttp://www.peteengelhartmetalpercussion.com/sapo.htmlRed Panda pedalshttps://www.redpandalab.com/Drolo pedalshttps://drolofx.com/ZT guitar ampshttps://www.ztamplifiers.com/Practicing Drummerpracticingdrummer.comInstagramYouTubeFacebookThe drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.
An interview podcast about drums and drumming with a focus on jazz drummers. A few of the featured guests have been Billy Drummond, Steve Smith, Jeremy Dutton, and Dan Weiss. Connect with the show on Instagram (@practicingdrummer) and follow the blog at practicingdrummer.com.
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