358 – Willie Jones, III: Technique as a means to create music
Willie Jones iii, son of a Jazz pianist, has recorded and toured with a who’s who list of Jazz luminaries, including Horace Silver, Roy Hargrove, Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, and Herbie Hancock. He also played on Arturo Sandoval’s Grammy-winning album Hot House. Growing up in LA, Jones was tuned into the LA Jazz scene before moving to NYC and making a name for himself.
Willie Jones iii talks about:
- Growing up as a son of a pianists
- How he was heavily influenced by Ndugu Chancler
- How drummers are becoming more specialized these days
- Understanding the history of music
- Comparing drumming to athletics
- Developing the nuances of your playing
- How playing with musicality will keep you employed
- Learning from the masters
- When he got serious about practicing and playing professionally
- Much more
Resources / Links / People mentioned:
- Contact Willie Jones: Website
- Ndugu Chancler
- Ndugu Chancler (Drummer’s Resource interview)
- James Gadson (Drummer’s Resource interview)
- Steve Gadd (Drummer’s Resource interview)
- Billy Higgins
- Jeff Porcaro
- Earth Wind and Fire
- The Doobie Brothers
- The Jackson 5
- The Three Stooges
- Miles Davis – Four & More
- Cherokee (Study in Brown)
- Roy Haynes
- Tony Williams
- Max Roach
Drummer’s Resource Podcast is free thanks to support from:
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