Charles Connor's (Little Richard's original Drummer) Official
Web page.
CHARLES “Keep-A-Knockin” CONNOR, original drummer for Little Richard, created the unique “Choo Choo Train” style of successive eighth notes with a loud backbeat used by nearly all subsequent Rock 'n' Roll drummers and, in fact, his drumsticks are on display at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.
The son of a chief chef Merchant Marine seaman and father from Santo-Domingo and a Louisiana-born mother, CONNOR reveals, "I was born in New Orleans, in the heart of the French Quarter, the very hub of Cajun, Blues and down-island rhythms. My mother told me that whenever music was played, I kicked really hard in her womb.” He grins and exclaims, “I was born to be a drummer!” He winks and continues, “Probably 'cuz of that exotic Creole and Dominican blood coursing through my veins,” then laughs mischievously.
As a toddler, CONNOR was drawn to marching parades and the “second-line funeral bands” playing Dixieland jazz through the streets of New Orleans and loved to hear his father, home on a three-month leave, sing Calypso songs around the house. Imitating the drums, CONNOR banged on pots and pans all-day and cried hard when his mother had to take them away to cook family meals.
Although his parents had two other sons and a daughter and could not afford expensive gifts, they saved enough money to buy CONNOR his first drum set when he was five. When his drumming became “a loud nuisance” to the neighbors, he practiced with his drumsticks four to five hours a day on a practice pad.
Inspired by such notables as Bob Alden, Art Blakey, Charles Otis, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Max Roach, CONNOR dreamed big and diligently spent all his spare time working towards his goal of becoming “a professional drummer.” His hard work paid off at age 12 when he began playing drums for local parties and wedding receptions, but his “professional” career began at 15 when Roy “Professor Longhair” Byrd hired him as a last-minute replacement for the 1950 Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
With family blessings and his mother's sage advice, “never use your skin color as an excuse; never doubt yourself; if you believe in yourself, everybody else will, too,” CONNOR went on to drum for Smiley Lewis, Guitar Slim, Jack Dupree then Shirley and Lee.
At 18, CONNOR joined flamboyant Little Richard's original road band, The Upsetters, his joy marred only by the deep racial intolerance the band had to endure. CONNOR says, “[Black] musicians back then didn't have Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr to motivate them. We had to find inspiration from our faith and within our hearts.”
CONNOR cocks his head and says, “Little Richard was an ingenious promoter. To draw attention to his band and ensure they could perform on stage, he had to show bigots that the band wouldn't threaten their way of life. Little Richard promoted the band and avoided racial prejudice by insisting the musicians wear thick pancake makeup and act effeminate!”
CONNOR pulls at his chin, and then smiles as he admits, “ I really had fun. I worked with artists like Lloyd Price during vacations from Little Richard and, since Little Richard and James Brown shared the same booking agent, on "off-nights" I appeared with “The Godfather of Soul,” who coined the phrase, “CONNOR was the first to put the funk in the rhythm!”
CONNOR continues: “I was 20 when Little Richard's band toured the United States in 1955. We played all the major theaters, including such prestigious venues as the Turner Arena and Howard Theater in Washington, D.C.; the Royal Theater in Baltimore, Maryland; the Apollo Theater in Harlem and the Paramount Theater with Alan Freed in Brooklyn.” He says in awe, “In New York, the white teenagers saw blacks having so much fun that they would dance in the aisles with them! Man, those were heady times,” and chuckles aloud.
While on a 1955 tour of Japan and the Philippines, a young girl approached CONNOR, and asked for an autograph, but he had no idea then that she would later influence his life. The years disappear as he grins and, in wonderment, says “[For some reason] I wrote: I hope you come to America someday. Keep Rock 'n' Roll in your life.”
Gaining momentum in 1956, Little Richard's band appeared in such popular feature films as “The Girl Can't Help It” with actress Jayne Mansfield; “Don't Knock the Rock” and “Mr. Rock 'n' Roll.” Then, as Rock 'n' Roll exploded on the music scene, the band recorded several hit songs like “Keep-A-Knockin',” featuring CONNOR'S first four-bar drum intro on a Rock 'n' Roll record; “ Ooh! My Soul,” also featuring CONNOR'S distinctive "Choo Choo Train" beat; and “She's Got It,” with a regular backbeat. CONNOR reminisces, “The Civil Rights Act may have been passed in 1964, but Rock 'n' Roll music brought young people and the world together a decade earlier.” He concludes proudly, “We got respect and power; our popularity cut across racial lines” ...
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Jon Carroll is a Lansing/Michigan State University based drummer available for project or session gigs!
Jon has been a working project drummer for thirteen years, specializing in rock, funk and rockabilly music. During that time, he has performed in assorted venues across the country, and he has recorded with both regional and national recording artists. Jon has also been a member of the Wright State University Concert Band, Dayton, Ohio and a private percussion instructor. Jon Carroll is one of the most active recording and performing drummers in the Lansing/Mid-Michigan area.
Jon's musical influences include Bob Mould, The Smiths, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan, Living Colour, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Emily's Motives, and many others. Jon's drumming influences include Kenny Aronoff, Will Calhoun, Manu Katche, Vinnie Colaiuta, Craig Carroll, John Taylor, Dave Weckl, Neil Peart, as well as a host of other great drummers.
Jon holds a B.A. in Anthropology, and a Master of Humanities (M. Hum) degree, both from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Michigan State University. An aspiring archaeologist, Jon's research is focused on prehistoric social dynamics in the Great Lakes region of North America ...
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Yoron Israel's website features reviews, sound bites, itinerary.
biography, cds, drum set-up.
Yoron Israel, a native Chicagoan, is one of the most gifted and sought after musicians in the music industry today. Yoron's exciting and tasteful drumming, along with his compositional talents are spotlighted throughout his CD's. They are "Basic Traneing" (Ronja Music Company), "Chicago" (Double Time), "Live at the Blue Note" (Half Note), "A Gift for You" (re-released in 2005 by Ronja Music Company) All of these fine works have received enthusiastic praise from journalists, musical peers and fans alike. The CD's represent the extensive depth of Yoron Israel's musicianship as he continues to evolve as a leader. He brings his unique influences and experiences in the Jazz, Latin, Gospel, Funk, R & B and Orchestral idioms full circle with his compositions, arrangements, repertoire and ensemble concepts. "Music to be enjoyed by all". As Jack DeJohnette quotes, "A Gift for You" is a sparkling musical offering from a drummer who has good taste. He has a sense of direction and a feeling of joy in his drumming, compositions and arrangements. Yoron Israel is an important voice you should listen to."
"Basic Traneing", reached number three on the National Jazz charts in 2004. It features his current trio "Organic" with organist Kyle Koehler, guitarist Ed Cherry, along with special guests Jay Hoggard (vibraphone/marimba) and Billy Pierce (tenor and soprano saxophone).
The recording "Chicago", released in 2000 features saxophonist Joe Lovano, organist Larry Goldings and guitarist Marvin Sewell. "Organic" performs original compositions associated with the soulful organ legacy of Jimmy Smith, Larry Young and Lonnie Smith as well as arrangements of "standards" that bridge the gap between musical styles, highlighting the versatility and virtuosity of the musicians ...
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