The Groove Index
The Groove Index
Career-spanning playlists celebrating the world’s greatest drummers
Jay Bellerose Elvin Jones
Art Blakey Philly Joe Jones
Matt Chamberlain Steve Jordan
Vinnie Colaiuta Jim Keltner
Jack DeJohnette Joe Morello
Steve Ferrone Paul Motian
Al Foster Jeff Porcaro
Josh Freese Bernard Purdie
Steve Gadd Questlove
James Gadson Pete Thomas
Roger Hawkins Carlos Vega
Roy Haynes Tony Williams
Billy Higgins
Click HERE to visit page 2 of The Groove Index (#26-50, including Max Roach, JR Robinson, Idris Muhammad and more)
Welcome to The Groove Index! Click on any drummer above to go to a chronological playlist that tells the musical story of his/her career. Tracks are carefully selected to present a complete picture of the drummer’s evolving style. Listen to any playlist on shuffle to get a proper “mix” of that drummer’s career, or listen from the beginning to get a true sense of their recorded history.
The goal is for The Groove Index to be accessible to casual music-lovers, a resource for drummers of any age/style, and an educational tool for students and teachers alike. If you have suggestions for future features, track additions, or general comments, contact me here anytime. And please follow “GrooveIndex” on Instagram for a “Track of the Day” from The Groove Index catalog. Thanks for visiting! - EN
ALL PLAYLISTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON TIDAL. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS OR SEARCH “THE GROOVE INDEX”
The Groove Index #001:
Jim Keltner
LA-based session drummer from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born on April 27, 1942 and currently active as a drummer/producer.
Keltner in 20 words or less: deepest pocket, expressive time feel, and the quirkiest, most distinctive groove/fill choices of the studio legends. The drummer’s drummer.
Playlist features classic tracks from: John Lennon, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, B.B. King, Harry Nilsson, Bill Withers, Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Traveling Wilburys, Mavis Staples, Bill Frisell, and many more.
The Groove Index #002:
Roy Haynes
Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader from Boston, MA. Born on March 13, 1925, and occasionally active as a performer (at age 95!) .
Haynes in 20 words or less: Interactive, energetic, propulsive, hip. His signature “snap crackle” vocabulary (developed early on) is literally heard throughout the history of jazz.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Lester Young, Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and many more.
The Groove Index #003: James Gadson
Funk/soul session drummer from Kansas City, MO. Born on June 17, 1939, and currently active as a session musician.
Gadson in 20 words or less: King of the sixteenth note hi-hat groove (and so much more). Refined, dynamic, joyful, effortless. And still thriving!
Playlist features classic tracks from: Charles Wright, Dyke and the Blazers, Bill Withers, The Jackson 5, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Gloria Gaynor, Herbie Hancock, Beck, Amos Lee, D’Angelo, and many more.
The Groove Index #004: Paul Motian
Legendary jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader. Born in Philadelphia, PA on March 25, 1931 and died in Manhattan, NY on November 22, 2011.
Motian in 20 words or less: Instinctive, dedicated-to-the-moment improviser with that deep, rolling, circular feel. Lyrical and free as a drummer and composer.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, Charlie Haden, Geri Allen, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, and many more.
The Groove Index #005: Matt Chamberlain
Session drummer from San Pedro, CA. Born on April 17, 1967, and currently active as a performer and studio drummer.
Chamberlain in 20 words or less: Innovator of the modern studio drum track. King of the ghost-notes, simmering grooves, and perfectly-tuned snare drums.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Critters Buggin, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, The Wallflowers, Macy Gray, David Bowie, Elton John, John Mayer, Sara Bareilles, Bob Dylan, and many more.
The Groove Index #006: Jeff Porcaro
Beloved session drummer, live performer, and band-member. Born in South Windsor, CT on April 1, 1954 and died in West Hills, CA on August 5, 1992.
Porcaro in 20 words or less: Everything all at once — creativity, energy, humor, technique, chops, precision, detail, melody, composition, groove. A legendary flash of a career.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Jackson Browne, Toto, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Randy Newman, Don Henley, Dire Straits, and many more.
Groove Index #007: Tony Williams
Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader. Born in Chicago, IL on December 12, 1945 and died in Daly City, CA on February 23, 1997.
Williams in 20 words or less: Prodigious talent, instantly recognizable time feel, and approach to four-limb coordination that became the sound of modern jazz drumming.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Herbie Hancock, Kenny Dorham, Miles Davis, Sam Rivers, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, and Tony Williams, among many others.
Groove Index #008: Steve Jordan
Session drummer, live performer, and producer. Born in New York, NY on January 14, 1957 and currently active as a drummer/producer.
Jordan in 20 words or less: The modern interpreter of the classic Rock’n’Roll/R&B grooves. Leading American soul music into the future. World-class tunings, legendary pocket.
Playlist features classic tracks from: The Blues Brothers, The Brecker Brothers, John Scofield, Keith Richards, Chuck Berry, Robben Ford, John Mayer, Robert Cray, The Verbs, and many more.
The Groove Index #009: Josh Freese
California-based session drummer, live performer, and band-member. Born in Orlando, FL on December 25, 1972, and currently active as a session/live drummer.
Freese in 20 words or less: Plays metal, punk, rock, and pop with equal commitment to energy, clarity, and virtuosity. The rock sound of the ‘90s/2000s.
Playlist features classic tracks from: The Vandals, A Perfect Circle, Good Charlotte, The Offspring, The Replacements, Nine Inch Nails, Michael Buble, DEVO, Sting, and many more.
The Groove Index #010: Questlove
Soul/R&B/Hip Hop drummer, producer, and band member. Born in Philadelphia, PA on January 20, 1971 and is currently active as a drummer/producer/writer/DJ/author/activist.
Questlove in 20 words or less: Groundbreaker of the R&B/Hip Hop drum sound since 1990. Innovator, cultural icon, and walking encyclopedia of American grooves.
Playlist features classic tracks from: The Roots, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Common, Jay-Z, Al Green, Booker T. Jones, Amy Winehouse, John Legend, and many more.
The Groove Index #011: Steve Gadd
Legendary session drummer, live performer, and bandleader. Born in Irondequoit, NY on April 9, 1945 and currently active as a session/live drummer.
Gadd in 20 words or less: Natural brilliance. Legendary, instantly recognizable feel. Iconic solos and “Gadd-isms”. The gold standard in studio tracking and stadium gigging.
Playlist features classic tracks from: George Benson, Paul Simon, Tom Scott, Chick Corea, Stuff, Al Di Meola, Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, The Steve Gadd Band, and many more.
The Groove Index #012: Al Foster
Legendary jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader. Born in Richmond, VA on January 18, 1943 and currently active as a performer.
Foster in 20 words or less: Clean, logical, and melodic, with an infectiously consistent time feel whether straight or swung. Among the finest “storytelling” soloists.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Blue Mitchell, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Chris Potter, Joe Lovano, and Al Foster, among many others.
The Groove Index #013: Jay Bellerose
American roots studio drummer/percussionist and live performer. Born in Maine and currently active as a Los Angeles-based session drummer and performer.
Bellerose in 20 words or less: Distinctive, organic, percussion-heavy approach to groove drumming. Master of building innovative parts that enhance the mood of the song.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Paula Cole, Sam Phillips, Solomon Burke, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Joe Henry, Allen Toussaint, Ray LaMontagne, Gregg Allman, Bonnie Raitt, and many more.
The Groove Index #014: Elvin Jones
Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader. Born in Pontiac, MI on September 9, 1927 and died in Englewood, NJ on May 18, 2004.
Jones in 20 words or less: Fire, intensity, passion, power, and finesse - all at once. His triplet vocabulary and emotional interaction transformed jazz drumming forever.
Playlist features classic tracks from: J.J. Johnson, Tommy Flanagan, John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Grant Green, Larry Young, Elvin Jones, and many more.
The Groove Index #015: Vinnie Colaiuta
LA-based session drummer and live performer. Born in Brownsville PA on February 5, 1956 and currently active as a studio and live drummer.
Colaiuta in 20 words or less: Revolutionized pop drumset phrasing and pioneered polyrhythm as practical application. Frank Zappa: “VC on drums, vitamin pills, and rhythmic encyclopedia.”
Playlist features classic tracks from: Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell, Robben Ford, Allan Holdsworth, Sting, Chick Corea, Karizma, Randy Waldman, Jeff Beck, and many more.
The Groove Index #016: Joe Morello
Legendary east coast jazz drummer, educator, and author. Born in Springfield, MA on July 17, 1928, and died in Irvington, NJ on March 12, 2011.
Morello in 20 words or less: Incomparable brush work, impeccable technique, flawless execution, and clearly clever ideas. Equally as influential as a drumming educator.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Tal Farlow, Marian McPartland, Phil Woods, Art Pepper, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Gary Burton, Tony Bennett, Simon & Garfunkel, and more.
The Groove Index #017: Jack DeJohnette
Legendary jazz drummer, percussionist, pianist, and composer. Born in Chicago, IL on August 9, 1942, and currently active as a drummer and composer.
DeJohnette in 20 words or less: Beautiful touch. Fast or slow, straight or swung, his adventurous, instinctual phrasing is a synthesis of jazz drumming history.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Charles Lloyd, Joe Henderson, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, John Abercrombie, McCoy Tyner, Pat Metheny, The Keith Jarrett Trio, Michael Brecker, Jack DeJohnette, and many more.
The Groove Index #018: Bernard Purdie
Legendary R&B/Soul/Pop session drummer, live performer, bandleader, educator, and author. Born in Elkton, MD on June 11, 1939, and currently active as a recording and performing artist.
Purdie in 20 words or less: Infectious feel, snappy over-the-barline fills, striking dynamics, and of course, the legendary ‘Purdie Shuffle.’ Pure confidence and joy.
Playlist features classic tracks from: James Brown, Nina Simone, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, King Curtis, Roberta Flack, Hall and Oates, Hank Crawford, Steely Dan, and many more.
The Groove Index #019: Art Blakey
Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on October 11, 1919, and died in New York, NY on October 16, 1990.
Blakey in 20 words or less: The ultimate hard bop bandleader/mentor. Renowned for his driving 2&4 pattern, press rolls, explosive solos, and definitive Afro-Cuban feel.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Billy Eckstine, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, Hank Mobley, and Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.
The Groove Index #020: Steve Ferrone
British rock/pop/funk/soul drummer and bandleader. Born in Brighton, England on April 25, 1950, and currently active as a performer and session musician.
Ferrone in 20 words or less. Deep, commanding arena grooves with dynamic finesse. Authentic and influential beat-maker across many styles. Always creative with the hi-hats!
Playlist features classic tracks from: Freddie King, Average White Band, Chaka Khan, Duran Duran, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
The Groove Index #021: Pete Thomas
British rock/pop session drummer and long-time member of Elvis Costello and the Attractions/Imposters. Born in Hillsborough, England on August 9, 1954, and currently active as a performer and session musician.
Thomas in 20 words or less: Lyrical, melodic part writing at its finest. High energy, propulsive, and dynamic. Consistently in-demand, highly influential, and seriously underrated.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Nick Lowe, Johnny Cash, Los Lobos, Squeeze, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman, Elliott Smith, Lucinda Williams, and many more.
The Groove Index #022: Billy Higgins
Legendary jazz drummer and educator. Born in Los Angeles, CA on October 11, 1936, and died in Inglewood, CA on May 3, 2001.
Higgins in 20 words or less: The quintessential straight/swung ride cymbal beat. Equally influential in free jazz, hard bop, and soul-jazz. Generous collaborator and educator.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Ornette Coleman, Dexter Gordon, Lee Morgan, Donald Byrd, Clifford Jordan, Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean, Herbie Hancock, Cedar Walton, Charles Lloyd, and many more.
The Groove Index #023: Carlos Vega
Beloved LA rock/pop/fusion session drummer. Born in Cuba on December 7, 1956, and died in Los Angeles on April 7, 1998.
Vega in 20 words or less: Vega’s groove construction was exceptional—EVERY drum/cymbal placement meant something to the song. Impeccable time feel, technique, and energy.
Playlist features classic tracks from: James Taylor, Olivia Newton-John, Karizma, Curtis Mayfield, Laura Branigan, Chicago, Randy Newman, and many more.
The Groove Index #024: Philly Joe Jones
Legendary hard-bop jazz drummer. Born in Philadelphia, PA on July 15, 1923, and died in Philadelphia on August 30, 1985.
Philly Joe in 20 words or less: Defined ‘50s hard-bop/post-bop drumming with his R&B-infused feel, talkative left hand, fervent rudimental solos, and masterful brushwork.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Joe Morris, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Bud Powell, Hank Mobley, Bill Evans, and many more.
The Groove Index #025: Roger Hawkins
Longtime session drummer in the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Born in Mishawaka, IN on October 16, 1945 and died in Sheffield, AL on May 20, 2021.
Hawkins in 20 words or less: One of the great unsung pocket drummers. Stylistic chameleon. Simple grooves with gospel twists, and classic (and often copied) fills.
Playlist features classic tracks from: Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Clarence Carter, The Staples Singers, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Eric Clapton, and many more.