Legendary Jazz Icon & Drum Teacher, Rests in Peace>>>

Late Freddie Gruber, Jazz Icon & Drum Teacher

I’m saddened to announce the passing of Freddie Gruber, the drumming legend who inspired many drummers through the years. But now, Drummer Freddie Gruber is no more, rest in to peace on October 11^th 2011 at the age of 84 after a long ailment.

Freddie Gruber, who was born on May 27^th 1927, was a Jazz drummer and teacher to a number of professional drummers. Being a respected jazz drummer, Gruber enjoyed a long and successful career as a drum teacher.

Freddie was room mate and friend to the great Buddy Rich and one of the great jazz drummers. He was also one of the most influential drum instructors in the business.

Freddie Gruber was a Jazz icon and drumming mentor in the Los Angeles area. He came up in the New York be-bop scene and played with Charlie Parker among many others….. Gruber is best known for teaching rock legends like Rush’s Neil Peart, Vinnie Colaiuta, Journey’s Steve Smith and Dave Weckl learn how to incorporate jazz styling’s into their work.

Gruber students have moved on to fill drum chairs in almost every genre of music. One of Gruber’s teaching concept is to, ‘have the drum stick be an extension of one’s hand.’ His students called him as “The Yoda of Drums or The Guru”.

Gruber was honored by Zildjian cymbals at “The NAMM Show”, Anaheim, California on Saturday, January 15^th 2011. He was honored by the two daughters of the late Armand Zildjian, they presented him with a beautiful award for educational excellence throughout his lifetime.

This large framed award featured a classic photo of the musicians PaPa Jo Jones, with Freddie Gruber and Buddy Rich. Under the photo were a plaque and also a cymbal that was signed by the two daughters.

Gruber is a complete character and his theory is to have all his students wear dance shoes while they drum because their feet are dancing on the pedals. He was never married and had no children but he will be mourned by musicians and music lovers everywhere including me.

My deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to Freddie’s friends and family and to all who feels sorry for the man who we missed.