A page of exercises for learning basic performance vocabulary using Idris Muhammad’s Mozambique-like cymbal rhythm from this recent groove o’ the day. Play each of the hand patterns many times— if you need to, start […]
Category: latin
Groove o’ the day: Idris Muhammad Mozambique
Here is Idris Muhammad playing a Mozambique-like Latin groove with Melvin Sparks, on Speak Low, from the album Sparkling. Muhammad isn’t on many of the records I listen to all the time, but he is […]
Groove o’ the day: Rhumba
The Rhumba was a North American Latin style popularized in the 1930s by people like Xavier Cugat and Perez Prado, which has continued to hang around in the repertoire of jazz groups. There are also […]
Groove o’ the day: Evolution of Songo – 03
Here’s the promised transcription from the previous entry in this Evolution of Songo series— the breakdown from Pero a Mi Manera by Los Van Van, with Changuito playing the drums. For most of the tune […]
Grooves o’ the day: Joe Chambers – Caribbean Fire Dance
Here are some Latin jazz grooves played by Joe Chambers on Caribbean Fire Dance, from Joe Henderson’s album Mode For Joe. This is late phase hard bop. Chambers plays a solo on this that gets […]
Bass drum rhythms for Latin
These bass drum rhythms are lifted from a page of Songo independence exercises I posted a few years ago. I thought it would be good to have them presented by themselves, apart from all the […]
Best books: Rhythms and Techniques for Latin Timbales
UPDATE: I just realized we’ve already shared another excellent free-online book by Rendon, Timbale Solo Transcriptions. Get that too, if you haven’t. Rhythms and Techniques for Latin Timbales by Victor Rendon is sort of the […]
Page o’ coordination: Mozambique – hands only – 01
A page of technical independence patterns for a Mozambique bell part— a hip, very useful bell rhythm. For more practical left hand parts for this bell rhythm, see my updated Page of Mozambique. Also see my […]
Drum intro: Billy Higgins – For Minors Only
Another intro, with a Latin feel, played by Billy Higgins on For Minors Only, from Jimmy Heath’s album Picture of Heath. The cymbal rhythm is reminiscent of a Mozambique-type rhythm, with an 8th rest on […]
Transcription: Art Gore – Sais
More Gore. I came across Art Gore’s playing a couple of years ago, and had an instant affinity with it. He’s not on a whole lot of records, but he’s really great, and is worth seeking […]