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 The drumming community agrees on one point, namely that Missouri-born Dave Weckl has been one of the most influential drummers of the last two decades. Each step of the way, he has added some stylistic device of his own and set new standards for performance.
For example, with Chick Corea's Elektric Band, Weckl showed he could meet robotic drum machines head on, matching them note for note with "real drums." His integration of electronic sound sources into his acoustic drumming was unparalleled. In fusion music, he contributed an elegant, flowing time sense, despite the intricate detail of his grooves. Conversely, with the late R & B pianist Richard Tee, Weckl proved he could play simple backbeats and make the pulse unambiguous. Jumping to Latin with pianist Michel Camilo, Weckl handled complex arrangements with ease. Most recently, the Dave Weckl Band has revisited the diverse musical roots of its constituents - Jay Oliver, Tom Kennedy, and Brandon Fields
Emphatically a drumset player, Dave has always relied on LP cowbells. "What I have right now is a LP Timbale Cowbell," he explains. "I used to use a LP Mambo Cowbell all the time, but the pitch of this one seems to work better with my band. I don't like to muffle my bells except, at times, I might put a little piece of rolled up tape on the top side - just enough to give it a thud. I use it a lot for funk. With Michel Camilo, there was a time when I was stacking three different bells."
For Dave, the focus is on sound: "When I get an idea for a song, I have a really defined sound characteristic in mind." Increasingly, Latin music has influenced his compositions: "I've been paying closer attention to the clave. Which affects how I approach fills." he says. "Although I'm going to incorporate another foot pedal with a cowbell on the left side this allows me to play a funk thing and have my hands free."
Early in the eighties, Dave came to New York to do Latin gigs and sub for Steve Gadd. Dave recalls: "LP made the best gear then,
and they still do today."
LP Equipment List: "An
assortment of different bells," including
the
LP Timbale Cowbell, LP
Mambo Cowbell, and LP
Tito Puente Timbalitos
For more information
on Dave Weckl please visit his website at: www.daveweckl.com.
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