Donald Bailey's drum setup

[CJ Shearn]

does anyone know what Donald's set up was with JOS for drums and cymbals? To me it sounded like he changed his snare around '59, it was tighter, bit more crisp, as far as I can tell he kept the same hi hat always. Sounded really tight.

[Jazz Kat]

Back in the 50's and 60's, most drummer's drum sets were set up basically the same, with little variations. One cymbol coming out of the bass drum and one on the left. Sometimes there wasn't even a ride on the left. Some drummers preferred another cymbol on the right next to the one coming out of the bass drum. I don't know for sure, but maybe Connie Kay was one of the firsts to have a completely unique drum setup. I've seen some pictures of Bailey in Frank Wolf's books. Observing from the pictures, the sound, and the era, I'd say Bailey had a snare, tom, floor tom, 20 inch bass drum, one ride cymbol on the right, and another one of the left, and his hats. Just because his snare sounded tighter doesn't mean it's a different snare. You can just tighten the snare with a drum key. I don't know if you were saying that you thought it was different or whatever.

Edited June 10, 2007 by Jazz Kat

[mikeweil]

I can see what he's talking about: Bailey's snare sounds somewhat crisper and higher pitched than others.

That's a question to place on some specialised drummers forum.

[CJ Shearn]

I sorta meant what drums he used as in brand, and cymbals.. they sound like Zildjian's either way, maybe an A as they were a bit brighter. Thanks Mike for catching my meaning.

[Trumpet Guy]

Donald's still playing in San Francisco--go check him out on a gig!

[Jazz Kat]

Gretsch drums, Zildjian K cymbols.

[Jim Alfredson]

Jimmy Smith with Donald Bailey & Quentin Warren:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YZlvYcZwoU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb5s3t65Q3Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wd4INfT1Nk

[Guest donald petersen]

jk unless i am crazy you keep spelling cymbals wrong. aren't you a drummer?

[randissimo]

jk unless i am crazy you keep spelling cymbals wrong. aren't you a drummer?

I used to hang a bit with Donald "Duck" Bailey when I lived in Oakland, Ca from 85 - 89. A great musician and a nice cat.. Used to get calls from him once in a while when he needed a sub. Many don't know that "Duck" is also a fine chromatic harmonica player.. One night at the New Orleans Bar & Grille I played a gig with "Duck" and Eddie Marshall (another great bay area drummer). Besides drums, Eddie Marshall can also play bebop on a plastic recorder and swings his ass off! It was pianist Dick Whittington's idea to get drummers who could actually play melodic instruments together with him and a bass player . I had my marine band harps with me and we all took turns playing and alternating on the drum kit. We had BIG FUN. I wish I had a recording of that night.

Another interesting thing about "Duck" is the angle at which he typically tilts his snare drum. He has it at an extreme angle tilting down and away from himself like a marching drum. About the cymbals he uses, he had Paiste, maybe a Sabian, and Zildjian cymbals and just played whatever sounded good to him.

I haven't seen "Duck" in a long time and unfortunately don't get out to the Bay Area much anymore.

[CJ Shearn]

hmm, interesting about the snare angle, pretty cool story Randy.

[Guest donald petersen]

bailey plays harmonica on "the peace maker"...

[Jazz Kat]

jk unless i am crazy you keep spelling cymbals wrong. aren't you a drummer?

Am I crazy or are you a fucking asshole? No, seriously...

[Guest donald petersen]

it took you like three days to think of that one?

seriously man. i wasn't trying to be a jerk. you are young. it is better you learn how to spell now than later when it might cost you a gig or a scholarship or something.

Edited June 12, 2007 by donald petersen

[Jim Alfredson]

Let's keep it civil, folks.

[CJ Shearn]

*Richard Steele impression* I'mma caution you again, obay my cummands at all times