The Evolution of Jazz Drumming presents a complete historical overview and analysis of jazz drumming. Designed as a guide and workbook for the high school, college level, and professional drummer, it is designed to bestudied based on a typical 16-week college semester. A legendary and influential jazz drummer is studied during each of these weeks. Upon completion of the book, the user will have a complete understanding of the influentialcontributions of these jazz masters, which is necessary for any musician to play this music authentically. The 31 jazz drumming legends included are examined with musical analysis including practice exercises in the style of thesubject's drumming, transcriptions of both solo and time playing, and etudes that examine the work of each artist in unprecedented detail. Each profile also includes a complete biography, personal anecdotes from the author,and dozens of exclusive and rare photos, many of which have never appeared in print before.

The book includes a DVD of classic video clips of many of the drummers, as well as an MP3 disc with over 300 tracks. Videoclips on the DVD are analyzed and transcribed in the text, while the MP3s consist of exercises and etudes from the book recorded at various speeds, that can be looped for analysis and practice. Drummers featured in thisbook include Chick Webb, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Kenny Clarke, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and many more.