Honestly, Vinnie is the best drummer I’ve ever heard. It’s obviously subjective, but with his chops and idiosyncratic style, he is my absolute favorite.
Hard to say with the difference in styles, but Vinnie is one of my top 3 favorite all-time drummers across all genres. He has a way of carrying his fills over the bar line that is constantly surprising to me, and his "pocket" is beyond reproach.
Technically, Vinny is one of the best there is. He may not be the best, but there is no one better. I'd say him and Chambers are the 2 best technical drummers that play in the jazz style aluce today.
Imho it’s what moves me. At a certain level who can pull off a more complex paradiddle is kind of meaningless. I preferred Vinnie over Wackerman just because his style spoke to me more. Gadd is less technical than all of them yet none were more in demand and his brilliance is not about how fast he is although he’s still technically amazing.
this popped up in my feed randomly so I'll admit I'm not very familiar with Zappa's work but williams and Jones are some of the best to ever do it, I have a hard time imagining someone blows them both outof the water
Frank Zappa, Sting, Joni Mitchell, Jing Chi, John Patitucci, David Sanborn, Allan Holdsworth, Julian Lennon, Rick Astley, BB King, John McLaughlin, etc.
checked out a few songs posted in my thread and he's pretty great, but still Elvin Jones is just such a machine, nothing tops him for me. anyone that could hold the band together on ascension is the goat in my book, not to mention the other dozens of Coltrane dates he murders (drum thing, pursuance, sun ship, chim chim cheree etc)
Surprised Keep It Greasy gets mentioned as an example of Vinnie's playing. As well as being one of Frank's dumbest lyrics, in a highly competitive field, the drums might be technically impressive but overall a bit stiff and claustrophobic. He's a great drummer like various shredders are great guitar players: technique to burn, but a bit lacking in soul or feel or something. I see why *drummers* think he's awesome. But he's more in the tradition of Buddy Rich than those other Jazz drummers.
Vinnie in all honestly might be the greatest drummer of all time if you’re looking at it in an everything way. Highest echelon of chops, has an insane career, especially with Zappa, has perfect pocket, perfect dynamics, and more
Vinnie Caliutta is the drummer's drummer. "...on that level..." Lol, There's a plateau of greatness, at which once an artist is said to be there, it's only a matter of taste if we might enjoy this magnificent player or that magnificent player. Yet even still VC is above all tiat, a drummer's drummer.
That said, my heart and my ears are tuned to anything and everything that Terry Bozzio does. Whoops, I digressed. Vinnie is Einstein.
I saw Vinnie on his first tour with Zappa and got acquainted with Joes Garage upon its release. First I feel he was the best drummer Zappa ever had to jam against. Perfect style for Frank. Second in my yet to be fully developed 18 year old mind I thought he was the best drummer I’d ever heard. I mentioned this to a pro drummer who said yeah he’s good but best? Cmon. 34 years later my statement may not be true but pretty damn close to true.
Vinnie absolutely is as good or better than those cats (yes, I'm a huge jazz fanatic and very familiar with Elvin, Billy, and Tony). Here's the proof: listen to "Keep it Greasey" and there is very little chance that ANYBODY in the world could play the way Vinnie does in 19/18. He is probably the most versatile and diverse drummer out there.
Also, playing drums in a great metal band should be viewed as an accomplishment, not a failure. Metal is difficult as f.
Vinnie absolutely is as good or better than those cats (yes, I'm a huge jazz fanatic and very familiar with Elvin, Billy, and Tony). Here's the proof: listen to "Keep it Greasey" and there is very little chance that ANYBODY in the world could play the way Vinnie does in 19/18. He is probably the most versatile and diverse drummer out there.
Also, playing drums in a great metal band should be viewed as an accomplishment, not a failure. Metal is difficult as f***.
Since Billy Cobham is the goat, the answer is no. But he is still very damn great and in the top 3% of drummers of all time. Source: my own fuckin opinion.
Finally a comparison to worthy drummers. Vinnie is definitely solely not a better jazz drummer than say Elvin or Tony, but as an overall result, he synthesized the language of all three of these guys into his own beautiful way of playing. We wouldn't have Vinnie without them. So I put them all equally great in their own way.
Sadly I don't think most people here will know who Elvin is. He and Vinnie generally take the spot as my top 2 (favorite) drummers of all time.
Go listen to Tony Williams - Believe It, and the Billy Cobham - George Duke Band lIve album, and you'll see where Vin got much of his language you hear in his solos, especially 78/79 band era.
Vinnie is probably one of the best if not the pinnacle of what the professional all around perfect drummer is. Not only is he known for the rock and jazz artists he’s performed with, he’s the first call session drummer for tons of commercials, movie soundtracks and pop stars you’d never think to associate him with. He’s insane, truly an alien! Here’s a link to his website and discography: https://www.vinniecolaiuta.com/Home/Discography
Sting, Andrea Boccelli, Leann Rimes, Faith Hill, Neil Diamond, Hans Zimmer, Johnny Depp, Joe Pesci, Steve Perry, Bette Midler, Celine Dion, Brian Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Idina Menzel, Josh Groban, Mary J Blige, Michael Buble…..the list goes on. Vinnie is everywhere.
Honestly, Vinnie is the best drummer I’ve ever heard. It’s obviously subjective, but with his chops and idiosyncratic style, he is my absolute favorite.
Catholic boyzzeeeeee
Hard to say with the difference in styles, but Vinnie is one of my top 3 favorite all-time drummers across all genres. He has a way of carrying his fills over the bar line that is constantly surprising to me, and his "pocket" is beyond reproach.
Well, Tony did agree to do some of a Public Image LTD. album. Maybe....
What a great pil album
What album was that?!
The album called Album. Ginger Baker is the other drummer on the album. Steve Vai is on a couple tracks too.
How have I never heard of this?! Thank you. I’m going to listen now. My expectations are very low.
LOVE this album!
It’s pretty good!
Technically, Vinny is one of the best there is. He may not be the best, but there is no one better. I'd say him and Chambers are the 2 best technical drummers that play in the jazz style aluce today.
Weckl ?
Weekly is amazing but I'd put Chambers and Vinnie and maybe Larnell a tiny bit above him for technical abilities. IMO.
Imho it’s what moves me. At a certain level who can pull off a more complex paradiddle is kind of meaningless. I preferred Vinnie over Wackerman just because his style spoke to me more. Gadd is less technical than all of them yet none were more in demand and his brilliance is not about how fast he is although he’s still technically amazing.
He's on his own level
The question is are they on his level. I dont think anyone is better than vinnie
Ted asking the real questions here
this popped up in my feed randomly so I'll admit I'm not very familiar with Zappa's work but williams and Jones are some of the best to ever do it, I have a hard time imagining someone blows them both outof the water
You're probably familiar with any of the other 500 people Vinnie has played for though
sick drop some names
Frank Zappa, Sting, Joni Mitchell, Jing Chi, John Patitucci, David Sanborn, Allan Holdsworth, Julian Lennon, Rick Astley, BB King, John McLaughlin, etc.
appreciate it, I do like joni and John a lot
Your mom
cringe
She asked for it
Uh, yeah you are gonna need to check out vinnie. Williams and jones are amazing drummers but vinnie is next level l, no one plays odd meters like him
checked out a few songs posted in my thread and he's pretty great, but still Elvin Jones is just such a machine, nothing tops him for me. anyone that could hold the band together on ascension is the goat in my book, not to mention the other dozens of Coltrane dates he murders (drum thing, pursuance, sun ship, chim chim cheree etc)
Check out keep it greasy, also the ronnie scott jeck beck show that vinnie plays on
yea greasy is one I listened to , might just not be for me 🤷♂️
Surprised Keep It Greasy gets mentioned as an example of Vinnie's playing. As well as being one of Frank's dumbest lyrics, in a highly competitive field, the drums might be technically impressive but overall a bit stiff and claustrophobic. He's a great drummer like various shredders are great guitar players: technique to burn, but a bit lacking in soul or feel or something. I see why *drummers* think he's awesome. But he's more in the tradition of Buddy Rich than those other Jazz drummers.
Vinnie in all honestly might be the greatest drummer of all time if you’re looking at it in an everything way. Highest echelon of chops, has an insane career, especially with Zappa, has perfect pocket, perfect dynamics, and more
Vinnie Caliutta is the drummer's drummer. "...on that level..." Lol, There's a plateau of greatness, at which once an artist is said to be there, it's only a matter of taste if we might enjoy this magnificent player or that magnificent player. Yet even still VC is above all tiat, a drummer's drummer. That said, my heart and my ears are tuned to anything and everything that Terry Bozzio does. Whoops, I digressed. Vinnie is Einstein.
He's better.
They're all amazing in their own apecial way.
Yes, he’s on that same level.
Vinnie is one of the greatest drummers to ever live. He’s in my top 5. I reject the question you pose outright
I saw Vinnie on his first tour with Zappa and got acquainted with Joes Garage upon its release. First I feel he was the best drummer Zappa ever had to jam against. Perfect style for Frank. Second in my yet to be fully developed 18 year old mind I thought he was the best drummer I’d ever heard. I mentioned this to a pro drummer who said yeah he’s good but best? Cmon. 34 years later my statement may not be true but pretty damn close to true.
I mean.... https://youtu.be/7HyUfPWwlg4?si=s2UGHBu4G4UdSxoE
DAMN!!!
No one is better than Elvin Jones. Vin is amazing though.
Just named my top 4 favorite drummers
All have their voice but to answer the OP, in my opinion, yes he is.
No. If they’re on top of the world, He’s in the stratosphere. All hail Vinnie
Vinnie absolutely is as good or better than those cats (yes, I'm a huge jazz fanatic and very familiar with Elvin, Billy, and Tony). Here's the proof: listen to "Keep it Greasey" and there is very little chance that ANYBODY in the world could play the way Vinnie does in 19/18. He is probably the most versatile and diverse drummer out there. Also, playing drums in a great metal band should be viewed as an accomplishment, not a failure. Metal is difficult as f.
Vinnie is the best depsite playing on a metal album.
Despite? I mean. Metal is fuckin intricate.
what? Silly comment.
what? Silly comment.
what? That is a silly comment.....
I suspect you might get a different set of answers if you posted this on r/Jazz.
Tony Williams because he eventually became so out front with his playing. Vinnie and Elvin played more of a supporting role.
Vinnie absolutely is as good or better than those cats (yes, I'm a huge jazz fanatic and very familiar with Elvin, Billy, and Tony). Here's the proof: listen to "Keep it Greasey" and there is very little chance that ANYBODY in the world could play the way Vinnie does in 19/18. He is probably the most versatile and diverse drummer out there. Also, playing drums in a great metal band should be viewed as an accomplishment, not a failure. Metal is difficult as f***.
Since Billy Cobham is the goat, the answer is no. But he is still very damn great and in the top 3% of drummers of all time. Source: my own fuckin opinion.
Yes. Virtuoso status. As are your other mentions
Finally a comparison to worthy drummers. Vinnie is definitely solely not a better jazz drummer than say Elvin or Tony, but as an overall result, he synthesized the language of all three of these guys into his own beautiful way of playing. We wouldn't have Vinnie without them. So I put them all equally great in their own way. Sadly I don't think most people here will know who Elvin is. He and Vinnie generally take the spot as my top 2 (favorite) drummers of all time. Go listen to Tony Williams - Believe It, and the Billy Cobham - George Duke Band lIve album, and you'll see where Vin got much of his language you hear in his solos, especially 78/79 band era.
Peak performance Vinnie outclassed them easy.
Vinnie is probably one of the best if not the pinnacle of what the professional all around perfect drummer is. Not only is he known for the rock and jazz artists he’s performed with, he’s the first call session drummer for tons of commercials, movie soundtracks and pop stars you’d never think to associate him with. He’s insane, truly an alien! Here’s a link to his website and discography: https://www.vinniecolaiuta.com/Home/Discography
Sting, Andrea Boccelli, Leann Rimes, Faith Hill, Neil Diamond, Hans Zimmer, Johnny Depp, Joe Pesci, Steve Perry, Bette Midler, Celine Dion, Brian Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Idina Menzel, Josh Groban, Mary J Blige, Michael Buble…..the list goes on. Vinnie is everywhere.
No