Freddie Gruber

Freddie Gruber
Born (1927-05-27)May 27, 1927
The Bronx, New York[1]
Origin New York City
Died October 11, 2011(2011-10-11) (aged 84)
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. 1 2 "In Memoriam: Freddie Gruber", Hudson Music
  2. ↑ Tamarkin, Jeff. "Drummer Freddie Gruber Dies at 84", JazzTimes, October 19, 2011. (accessed 13 December 2014)
  3. ↑ Chamberlain, Rich. "Freddie Gruber dies aged 84", Rhythm Magazine
  4. 1 2 3 Milkowski, Bill. "Freddie Gruber: None of a Kind", JazzTimes, November 2004. (accessed 13 December 2014)
  5. ↑ "Freddie Gruber", Drummerworld
  6. ↑ ""NEWS, WEATHER, and SPORTS: November, 2008 - The Drums Of October" NeilPeart.net
  7. ↑ Stav, Steve. "Percussion, photography cross paths in Rhythm & Light - Carrie Nuttall a.k.a. Mrs. Neil Peart" Ink 19 Magazine
  8. ↑ Iwasaki, Scott. "Photos dramatize 'Rhythm and Light'", Deseret News
  9. ↑ Robb, Gregory (2003-11-01). "Borne of the elements: December 2003". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  10. ↑ Hood, Phil. "A Conversation With Freddie Gruber", Drum Magazine.
  11. ↑ "DC LIVE with Freddie Gruber and Former Students", Drum Channel
  12. ↑ 2011 "Lifetime Achievement Award for Education from Zildjian", Zildjian Company Flickr Group
  13. ↑ Dolbear, Mike. "Interview with Daniel Glass",MikeDolBear Official Website
  14. ↑ DeChristopher, John. "Zildjian family remembers Freddie Gruber", Zildjian
  15. ↑ Peart, Neil (2002) [originally released on VHS in 1996]. A Work in Progress (DVD video, DVD-ROM with Internet features, 2 booklets). Warner Bros. Classics. produced and directed by Paul Siegel, Rob Wallis ; production, Langa Communications. Miami, Florida: Warner Bros. Publications. ISBN 9780757990298. OCLC 52762882. Retrieved May 23, 2013.

Sources

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