Freddie Gruber Explained

Freddie Gruber
Background:	non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth Date:	27 May 1927
Birth Place:	The Bronx, New York^[1]
Origin:	New York City
Death Place:	Los Angeles, California^[2]
Genre:	Jazz
Instrument:	Drums
Years Active:	c. 1946–2011

Freddie Gruber (May 27, 1927  - October 11, 2011) was an American 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.

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.

Gruber's student list includes Vinnie Colaiuta, Eddie Rubin, Neil Peart,^{[6] [7] [8]} Steve Smith,^[9] Dave Weckl, Bruce Becker,^[10] Joey Waronker,^[11] Ross Garfield, and his last student before he died, Paul Goldberg. Gruber was an instructor and mentor at the Drum Channel Studio.^[12]

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.^[13] The large framed award featured a classic photo of legendary jazz drummers: Buddy Rich,^[14] 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.^[15] Later in October 2011 Gruber died from illness.

Gruber's former drum student, Neil Peart of Rush, lauded Gruber in his literary and tutorial work.^[16] Peart authored a biographical obituary tribute which was posted to the Hudson Music website and to Gruber's own web site.

Sources

• Jazz Improv Magazine Tribute to Buddy Rich: "Way Beyond Drums, Buddy Rich, A Portrait of the Man." (Spring 2006)
• The Commandments of Early Rhythm and Blues Drumming - by Zoro and Daniel Glass (2008)
• Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road - by Neil Peart (2002)
• Travelling Music: Traveling Music : The Soundtrack to My Life and Times - by Neil Peart (2003)
• Rhythm and Light - by Carrie Nuttall (2005)
• Rush: Chemistry : The Definitive Biography - by Jon Collins (2005)
• Roadshow : Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle - by Neil Peart (2006)
• Far and Away: A Prize Every Time - by Neil Peart (2011)
• (2010)
• A Work in Progress

Notes and References

1. http://www.hudsonmusic.com/hudson/3251/news/in-memoriam-freddie-gruber "In Memoriam: Freddie Gruber"
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. Milkowski, Bill. "Freddie Gruber: None of a Kind", JazzTimes, November 2004. (accessed 13 December 2014)
5. http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Freddie_Gruber.html "Freddie Gruber"
6. http://www.neilpeart.net/news/november_08.html ""NEWS, WEATHER, and SPORTS: November, 2008 - The Drums Of October"
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. Web site: Borne of the elements: December 2003. All About Jazz. Gregory. Robb. 2003-11-01. 2010-08-04.
10. Hood, Phil. "A Conversation With Freddie Gruber" Drum Magazine.
11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy99hClon7E "OTR Vol. 2 - Joey Waronker" on YouTube
12. http://www.drumchannel.com/articles/20100922_6 "DC LIVE with Freddie Gruber and Former Students"
13. https://www.flickr.com/photos/51632941@N02/5369809167/in/set-72157625860966042 2011 "Lifetime Achievement Award for Education from Zildjian"
14. Dolbear, Mike. "Interview with Daniel Glass",MikeDolBear Official Website
15. DeChristopher, John. "Zildjian family remembers Freddie Gruber", Zildjian
16. A Work in Progress . Neil . Peart . Warner Bros. Publications . 2002 . Miami, Florida . Warner Bros. Classics . originally released on VHS in 1996 . 9780757990298 . 52762882 . DVD video, DVD-ROM with Internet features, 2 booklets . produced and directed by Paul Siegel, Rob Wallis ; production, Langa Communications . May 23, 2013 .