Jazz: Drumming Latin Jazz

Latin Jazz is a term used loosely, used to coin any combination of Jazz and Latin music. Although it frequently refers to the mix of Afro-Cuban styles with Jazz it can also be used to describe Jazz mixed with Calypso, Bossa Novas and other Latin rhythms. Don’t forget Jazz and Latin both share some African heritage so the blend comes naturally. Do your homework to play comfortably in all these styles and pick up some records.

Some popular drummers pioneering in this area include Antonio Sanchez, Horacio Hernandez and Dafnis Prieto.

For more information, visit our Latin section

Listening List:

This section is broken down into five parts:

Here are some exercises to get you playing like the pros.

Play the hi-hat part with one limb and the snare part with another limb. Try every combination.

Note: These patterns are all in 3:2 clave. Try them all in 2:3 by starting in the second measure.

Son Clave

To get a great Clave workout check out Heracio Hernandez book:
"Conversations in Clave."

Try this two limb idea and sub rhythms onto the snare line from the great book from Ted Reid:
"Syncopation for the Modern Drummer"

Continue:

2) Gaining Clave Independence With Paradiddle Inversions

3) Gaining Clave Independence With 3 Beat and 5 Beat Figures

4) Ideas Based On Stickings

5) More Ideas Based On Stickings