The Best Jazz Drummers

Some Jazz Drum Videos

These are probably some of the most well-known and important drummers in jazz music. From extensive soloing to perfectly balanced dynamics, jazz drummers have an edge over rockers. They give more attention to detail and seem to have better control over sound. Check out these videos from some of the best jazz drummers.

Buddy Rich

Buddy Rich is famous for his extensive solos and his lightning fast delivery. He is considered one of the greatest drum soloists and rightfully so. Check out his handiwork in this video, especially the snare drum part at 2:55.

Joe Morello - The Dave Brubeck Quartet

Joe Morello is an important jazz drummer, influencing such drummers as John Bonham and other jazz and rock musicians. He is probably most famous for his role in the Dave Brubeck Quartet. However, he has recorded scores of albums and been a notable teacher. He is known for his use of irregular time signatures and complex rhythms. Check out this video, from about 1:30. It’s crazy how much control he has over all of his limbs!

Daniel Glass - Royal Crown Revue

Maybe not as well-known, but certainly one of the best I’ve ever seen. Royal Crown Revue still tour today so you can see them and Danny! This solo displays Danny’s amazing ability at varying tempos while still maintaining a solid beat on the hi-hat, a hallmark of jazz drumming. He does it so fluently I can’t stop watching this one.

Max Roach

This late bebop drummer is considered one of the great jazz musicians of our century. He recorded with many legends, including Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins and Clifford Brown.

Dave Weckl

This guy’s a little younger compared to the rest of the list, but he’s got a unique sound. This drum solo is very layered and technically complex, but still sounds great.

There are scores more jazz drummers out there and many of them are phenomenal, certainly worthy of being put on this list. Unfortunately, a lot of them lived and played in the early years of the 1900s when video technology isn’t what it is today. This is a limited list simply because there aren’t that many great quality videos out there. Also, jazz as a genre is less popular and in the mainstream than rock. Therefore, rock drummers have an unfair popularity advantage over jazz drummers and are more well-known, regardless of talent.

I thought I’d throw this in for good measure…
Probably the best drum battle I’ve seen. It’s between Buddy Rich and Ed Shaughnessy. Buddy’s 3rd solo is unbeatable.

You can see more drum videos and profiles at Drummerworld.