Freddie Gruber  

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Freddie Gruber (May 27, 1927 – October 11, 2011) was a jazz drummer and drum teacher. He grew up in the nascent New York be-bop scene, and gigged with Charlie Parker, among many others. Making fast friends with his roommate, fellow drummer Buddy Rich, he observed Rich's "style, technique, and guts" over a long period and eventually based most of his teaching method on what he assimilated.

One teaching concept of Gruber's is to "have the drum stick be an extension of one's hand." It should be as natural as waving a cab or waving hello to someone on the street. Also "get out of your own way," (Don't think, just play it as it lays.)

On Saturday January 15th, 2011 (at "The NAMM Show" in Aneheim CA.), 83 year old Freddie Gruber was honored by Zildjian cymbals. The two daughters of the late Armand Zildjian (the founder), presented Freddie with a beautiful award for educational excellence throughout his lifetime. The large framed award featured a classic photo of the musicians PaPa Jo Jones, with Freddie Gruber and Buddy Rich. Under the photo was a plaque, and also a cymbal that was signed by the two daughters.

Students

Training students throughout his career, Gruber's student list is long and varied. It includes such drum luminaries as Frank Zappa's Vinnie Colaiuta, Neil Peart of Rush, Steve Smith of Journey, former Chick Corea drummer Dave Weckl. Other drummers benefiting from Gruber's teaching, and conceptual prowess include session drummers Ian Wallace, Mike Baird, John Guerin, Joey Heredia, Nick Vincent, Paul Goldberg, John Mehler of Love Song, Ambrosia drummer Burleigh Drummond, and John "Vatos" Hernandez of Oingo Boingo, Michael Dubin, drummer/composer Peter Thoegersen, Royal Crown Revue's Daniel Glass, and Bruce Becker of the David Becker Tribune among many others.




Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Freddie Gruber" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.

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