Freddie Gruber
| Freddie Gruber | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 27, 1927 The Bronx, New York[1] |
| Origin | New York City |
| Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Los Angeles, California[2] |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician and Teacher |
| Years active | c. 1946–2011 |
| Website | Official web site |
| Notable instruments | |
| Drum set | |
Freddie Gruber (May 27, 1927 – October 11, 2011) was a jazz drummer and teacher to a number of professional drummers.[3][4] [5]
Gruber grew up in the nascent New York City bebop scene. Although he started his performance career as a tap dancer, by the mid-1940s while still in his teens he had toured as a drummer with Rudy Vallée and played with Harry Gibson. In 1949 Gruber began playing with Charlie Parker among many others.[4]
After fighting his own heroin addiction, Gruber left New York City shortly after Parker's death in 1955. He settled in Los Angeles in 1957 after a stint in Las Vegas, where he continued working as a professional jazz drummer. Gruber began teaching drums in the mid-1960s at a Los Angeles music store owned by vibraphonist Terry Gibbs.[4]
Gruber's student list includes Vinnie Colaiuta, Neil Peart,[6][7][8] Steve Smith,[9] Dave Weckl and Bruce Becker.[10] Gruber was an instructor and mentor at the Drum Channel Studio.[11]
On January 15, 2011, Gruber was honored at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California with a lifetime achievement award for educational excellence throughout his career.[12] The large framed award featured a classic photo of legendary jazz drummers: Buddy Rich,[13] Jo Jones (known as Papa Jo Jones in his later years), and Gruber himself. Under the photo was a plaque, and a cymbal that was signed by Armand Zildjian's children.[14]
Gruber's former drum student, Neil Peart of Rush, lauded Gruber in his literary and tutorial work.[15] Peart authored a biographical obituary tribute which was posted to the Hudson Music website and to Gruber's own web site.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "In Memoriam: Freddie Gruber", Hudson Music
- ↑ Tamarkin, Jeff. "Drummer Freddie Gruber Dies at 84", JazzTimes, October 19, 2011. (accessed 13 December 2014)
- ↑ Chamberlain, Rich. "Freddie Gruber dies aged 84", Rhythm Magazine
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Milkowski, Bill. "Freddie Gruber: None of a Kind", JazzTimes, November 2004. (accessed 13 December 2014)
- ↑ "Freddie Gruber", Drummerworld
- ↑ ""NEWS, WEATHER, and SPORTS: November, 2008 - The Drums Of October" NeilPeart.net
- ↑ Stav, Steve. "Percussion, photography cross paths in Rhythm & Light - Carrie Nuttall a.k.a. Mrs. Neil Peart" Ink 19 Magazine
- ↑ Iwasaki, Scott. "Photos dramatize 'Rhythm and Light'", Deseret News
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Hood, Phil. "A Conversation With Freddie Gruber", Drum Magazine.
- ↑ "DC LIVE with Freddie Gruber and Former Students", Drum Channel
- ↑ 2011 "Lifetime Achievement Award for Education from Zildjian", Zildjian Company Flickr Group
- ↑ Dolbear, Mike. "Interview with Daniel Glass",MikeDolBear Official Website
- ↑ DeChristopher, John. "Zildjian family remembers Freddie Gruber", Zildjian
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Sources
- Jazz Improv Magazine Tribute to Buddy Rich: "Way Beyond Drums, Buddy Rich, A Portrait of the Man." (Spring 2006)
- The Commandments of Early Rhythm and Blues Drumming - by Zoro and Daniel Glass (2008)
- Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road - by Neil Peart (2002)
- Travelling Music: Traveling Music : The Soundtrack to My Life and Times - by Neil Peart (2003)
- Rhythm and Light - by Carrie Nuttall (2005)
- Rush: Chemistry : The Definitive Biography - by Jon Collins (2005)
- Roadshow : Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle - by Neil Peart (2006)
- Far and Away: A Prize Every Time - by Neil Peart (2011)
- Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (2010)
- A Work in Progress
