Drumming News :
What does it mean to truly listen to a drummer?
In a fascinating new profile, JazzTimes takes readers inside the remarkable career and musical philosophy of Stix Hooper, founding drummer of the Jazz Crusaders and one of the architects of the soulful, in-the-pocket jazz-funk sound that helped define an era.
Hooper’s story is about far more than keeping time. From his early years alongside Joe Sample and Wilton Felder, through the Jazz Crusaders’ groundbreaking recordings, to decades of work as a solo artist, producer, songwriter, and sought-after studio musician, his career has been defined by curiosity, versatility, and an instinctive understanding of the groove.
The article offers wonderful glimpses into Hooper’s collaborations with artists ranging from B.B. King and Grant Green to George Shearing and Quincy Jones, while revealing the philosophy that has guided him throughout his life: music thrives on spontaneity, creativity, communication, and the willingness to listen.
There’s also a deeply personal dimension to the story. Hooper reflects on his lifelong friendship with Joe Sample and the inspiration behind his latest recording, Cookin’ Up the Groove, which incorporates music Sample created before his death. His memories of growing up with Sample in Houston—complete with backyard pecans, gumbo, and piano playing—bring an intimate human dimension to the history of two musicians whose creative partnership would span decades.
For longtime fans of the Crusaders, the article provides fresh insight into a seasoned drummer whose contributions can sometimes be overshadowed by the more obvious stars of the band. For anyone discovering Hooper for the first time, it is an invitation to explore an extraordinary body of work—and, perhaps most importantly, to give the drummer some.
Read the full JazzTimes profile for the stories, memories, collaborations, and musical wisdom behind one of jazz’s great grooves.
Read the full article HERE
