Probably the greatest left-handed, traditional-grip playing drummers of all time. Terrific chops. Swung like a curve ball (Baseball) or an inswinging yorker (Cricket). Knocked you over EVERY time.
in the documentary, stan tells about a concert he played at with krupa and his group, stan and his group, i believe there was shelley and his group and buddy and his quartet. for a finale they had a drum battle , they all had a turn and stan said buddy came on last and made them all look like children. what a concert that must have been.
Years ago I emceed a concert featuring Roy Haynes and his group along with three other wonderful drummers: Sonny Greer, Terry Lynn Carrington and Joe Morello, each with their own group. Roy was nothing but a gentleman and fun to hang with. As a matter of fact, all four were very cool people, as well as being the best players. I will say Sonny Greer was unique and interesting to talk to. I emceed concerts with many great jazz players: Blakey was the toughest to get close to.
Well I watched this preview again... I have the DVD and it's absolutely a MUST !! My God, his feel was amazing ! What a legend...
Buddy Rich once announced him as the greatest drummer in the world at a club in Hollywood in the late 50's....! Stan could play the fastest 'swing' time of any drummer alive!!
I was driving to my cousins wedding many years ago listening to victor feldmans album with stan on the way there ,and wondering what happened to Stan...no sooner did I get out of the car when Stan walks by holding a rolloflex camera..it was surreal ...I said to him "aren't you Stan Levey?" and he said "yes" then I said "where are you playing?" and he said " I am into photography now" ....surreal to the max !!!
@mrstrings65 His everything was top notch. I was listening to Henry Mancinni and thought the drummer to be superb. I looked on the back cover and saw Mr. Mann's name. His Hebrew jazz album was too much. The best brush man in jazz.
I saw Haynes in concert, and he was far from being the nicest person. I have met a lot of Jazz greats. Hell, Phil Woods took me and a few people up to his suite for autographs. I really was disappointed with Roy Haynes.
No. But I agree. Grady Tate and Elvin Jones were amazing with the small groups as well as big bands. Mr. Jones graced the back covers of my "Not So Modern" drum magazines. I believe he passed didn't he?
the kenton band played at my college back in 1952....I stood next to him for the entire night...Stan Levey couldn't have been nicer to me..he new that I was an aspiring drummer and was totally blown away by his playing..Rest maestro..few knew of your greatness...
What they don't tell you here is that Stan Levey had been a very capable heavyweight boxer before becoming a drummer - he certainly looks the part - he was built like "a brick shithouse." Plays great drums on "For Musicians Only" with Gillespie, Getz, Stitt, Lewis, Brown.
Yeah, and I pretty much knew Louise wasn't doing so well back then. Too bad. Of the real giant jazz drummers of the 40's and 50's , it would seem now that Roy Haynes is the last of that kind.
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eldeano1 1 month ago
THE BEST jazz documentary I've ever seen...cannot recommend it enough.
southaustex1 7 months ago
Probably the greatest left-handed, traditional-grip playing drummers of all time. Terrific chops. Swung like a curve ball (Baseball) or an inswinging yorker (Cricket). Knocked you over EVERY time.
Lipshammusicrecords 10 months ago
in the documentary, stan tells about a concert he played at with krupa and his group, stan and his group, i believe there was shelley and his group and buddy and his quartet. for a finale they had a drum battle , they all had a turn and stan said buddy came on last and made them all look like children. what a concert that must have been.
sailin1934 1 year ago
make no mistake this was a drum giant he had the lot and most of all he swung like the clappers.many thanks.
exjazzbassbaz 1 year ago
Years ago I emceed a concert featuring Roy Haynes and his group along with three other wonderful drummers: Sonny Greer, Terry Lynn Carrington and Joe Morello, each with their own group. Roy was nothing but a gentleman and fun to hang with. As a matter of fact, all four were very cool people, as well as being the best players. I will say Sonny Greer was unique and interesting to talk to. I emceed concerts with many great jazz players: Blakey was the toughest to get close to.
mrsticks28 1 year ago
Well I watched this preview again... I have the DVD and it's absolutely a MUST !! My God, his feel was amazing ! What a legend...
Buddy Rich once announced him as the greatest drummer in the world at a club in Hollywood in the late 50's....! Stan could play the fastest 'swing' time of any drummer alive!!
GMD825 1 year ago
OMG what great footage! Stan Levey lives!
GMD825 2 years ago
I was driving to my cousins wedding many years ago listening to victor feldmans album with stan on the way there ,and wondering what happened to Stan...no sooner did I get out of the car when Stan walks by holding a rolloflex camera..it was surreal ...I said to him "aren't you Stan Levey?" and he said "yes" then I said "where are you playing?" and he said " I am into photography now" ....surreal to the max !!!
mrstrings65 2 years ago 6
I knew Shelly Manne, and he was a great guy...always up and smiling...his ride and brushwork were top notch!
mrstrings65 2 years ago
@mrstrings65 His everything was top notch. I was listening to Henry Mancinni and thought the drummer to be superb. I looked on the back cover and saw Mr. Mann's name. His Hebrew jazz album was too much. The best brush man in jazz.
acfinney 2 years ago
I saw Haynes in concert, and he was far from being the nicest person. I have met a lot of Jazz greats. Hell, Phil Woods took me and a few people up to his suite for autographs. I really was disappointed with Roy Haynes.
acfinney 2 years ago
Well, they are artists first and formost but I hear ya. Elvin was always one of the warmest cats around. Did you ever meet him?
drummer78 2 years ago
No. But I agree. Grady Tate and Elvin Jones were amazing with the small groups as well as big bands. Mr. Jones graced the back covers of my "Not So Modern" drum magazines. I believe he passed didn't he?
acfinney 2 years ago
Sadly he did die. A wonderful man and brilliant drummer.
drummer78 2 years ago
What did you think of Nick Martinis? ...he was a staple with rumseys lighthouse group...check him out on you tube under his name !!!
mrstrings65 2 years ago
Bill Goodwin aint too warm either !
mrstrings65 2 years ago
the kenton band played at my college back in 1952....I stood next to him for the entire night...Stan Levey couldn't have been nicer to me..he new that I was an aspiring drummer and was totally blown away by his playing..Rest maestro..few knew of your greatness...
satziebaby 2 years ago
There is a cool video on youtube of Stan backing Barney Kessel.
drummer78 3 years ago
Wow. I am totally KNOCKED OUT. I've been aware of Stan and heard his name
associated with Bird and Dizzy, but I never
saw him play until now. I AM A HUGE FAN
NOW. My God. What hands! What time!
I gotta see more of this...Wish I could have
studied with Stan and got educated by a
True Giant among Jazz drummers. Thank
God for YouTube. Seeing is believing!
roadrocket7 3 years ago
What they don't tell you here is that Stan Levey had been a very capable heavyweight boxer before becoming a drummer - he certainly looks the part - he was built like "a brick shithouse." Plays great drums on "For Musicians Only" with Gillespie, Getz, Stitt, Lewis, Brown.
Gruntol5 3 years ago
Where are you, jazz lovers? This was an original. There ain't many left.
1234jncn 3 years ago
One of the greats. God, they're all dying now. Bellson and Roy Haynes are really the only jazz drumming giants left now.
drummer78 3 years ago
You spoke to soon!
Gruntol5 3 years ago
Yeah, and I pretty much knew Louise wasn't doing so well back then. Too bad. Of the real giant jazz drummers of the 40's and 50's , it would seem now that Roy Haynes is the last of that kind.
drummer78 3 years ago
he was great
madchops82 3 years ago