Letter From Big Sid Catlett

[jgannon]

For those who may be interested, here is a letter written by the great Sid Catlett. Sid Catlett was one of the BADDEST drummers who ever lived. I found this on Facebook. In the letter, Catlett is replying to a young aspiring drummer seeking advice about how to improve his left hand.

 

[jgannon]

This clip of Catlett with John Kirby's band will give you and idea of the man and his playing. It is overdubbed, but it's him...

 

[PastTechFan]

Thanks for that! I'll seek out some more of Big Sid.

 

[jgannon]

Thanks for that! I'll seek out some more of Big Sid.

Cool. He was truly amazing. Tragically, he was only 41 when he passed away in 1951. I often wonder how many great recordings we would have had of him if he had been around to record during the hi-fi era, and as Norman Granz was launching Clef and Verve.

 

[Ilikevinyl]

Classic video! Big Sid plays so effortlessly! His facial expressions, he's really feeling the music.

 

[jgannon]

He was really amazing. Glad you dug him, Steve.

 

[Ilikevinyl]

He was really amazing. Glad you dug him, Steve.

Thanks for posting it!

 

[jgannon]

Oh hey, my pleasure! There are some other clips of him here and there. One of the giants of the music.

 

[KrisM]

Another +1 on the post.
I do a fair bit of surfing with my phone, so I haven't read it yet. But I'll be coming back for sure when I can see it on a decent screen.

 

[jgannon]

Another +1 on the post.
I do a fair bit of surfing with my phone, so I haven't read it yet. But I'll be coming back for sure when I can see it on a decent screen.

Yeah, Kris you definitely need a big screen to read it. Just an amazing musical and historical document.

 

[Cactus Bob]

Cool letter JG, Sid had some monster chops! He was Armstrong's drummer of choice with big bands I read on Wiki. Good enough for me!!

On a side note, I saw drummer great Barret Deems a number of times in Chicago in the late 80's, early 90's . He played at a small club called the "Elbow Room" with his big band every other Sunday night and he was in his late 70's or early 80's and was still swinging big time. He was Armstrong's drummer in the 50's. Also played with Jimmy Dorsey, Red Norvo and others. In fact I know an AKr' that purchased one of Barret's beautiful Slingerland kits from back in the day. His drum teacher owned it and he was good friends with Deems from what I understand.

 

[jgannon]

Cool letter JG, Sid had some monster chops! He was Armstrong's drummer of choice with big bands I read on Wiki. Good enough for me!!

On a side note, I saw drummer great Barret Deems a number of times in Chicago in the late 80's, early 90's . He played at a small club called the "Elbow Room" with his big band every other Sunday night and he was in his late 70's or early 80's and was still swinging big time. He was Armstrong's drummer in the 50's. Also played with Jimmy Dorsey, Red Norvo and others. In fact I know an AKr' that purchased one of Barret's beautiful Slingerland kits from back in the day. His drum teacher owned it and he was good friends with Deems from what I understand.

Wow! I never saw Deems. Great drummer...

 

[jgannon]

 

[jgannon]

 

[Cactus Bob]

Wow! I never saw Deems. Great drummer...

Here's an incredible solo by Deem's

 

[jgannon]

Here's an incredible solo by Deem's

Yeah, I've seen that before - high energy!

 

[Ilikevinyl]

Here's an incredible solo by Deem's

That cat can really play! Thanks, Bob!

 

[Cactus Bob]

That cat can really play! Thanks, Bob!

Those cats back then were great entertainers & drummers.

 

[jgannon]

Those cats back then were great entertainers & drummers.

Those great drummers were indeed showmen as well drummers. Sonny Greer and Zutty Singleton were two others who were amazing to watch.

 

[Ilikevinyl]

Those cats back then were great entertainers & drummers.

Yeah, the greatest era of entertainment, that's for sure!