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Freddie Gruber
Freddie Gruber
Born	May 27, 1927; The Bronx, New York
Origin	New York City
Died	October 11, 2011 (aged 84); Los Angeles, California
Genres	Jazz
Occupations	Musician; teacher;
Instrument	Drums
Years active	c. 1946–2011
Website	Official web site

Freddie Gruber (May 27, 1927 – October 11, 2011) was an American jazz drummer and teacher to a number of professional drummers.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Gruber grew up in the nascent New York City bebop scene. Although he started his performance career as a tap dancer, by the mid-1940s while still in his teens he had toured as a drummer with Rudy Vallée and played with Harry Gibson. In 1949 Gruber began playing with Charlie Parker among many others.^[4]

After fighting his own heroin addiction, Gruber left New York City shortly after Parker's death in 1955. He settled in Los Angeles in 1957 after a stint in Las Vegas, where he continued working as a professional jazz drummer. Gruber began teaching drums in the mid-1960s at a Los Angeles music store owned by vibraphonist Terry Gibbs.^[4]

Gruber's student list includes Vinnie Colaiuta, Eddie Rubin, Neil Peart,^[6]^[7]^[8] Steve Smith,^[9] Dave Weckl, Bruce Becker,^[10] Joey Waronker,^[11] Ross Garfield, and his last student before he died, Paul Goldberg. Gruber was an instructor and mentor at the Drum Channel Studio.^[12]

On January 15, 2011, Gruber was honored at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, with a lifetime achievement award for educational excellence throughout his career.^[13] The large framed award featured a classic photo of legendary jazz drummers: Buddy Rich,^[14] Jo Jones (known as Papa Jo Jones in his later years), and Gruber himself. Under the photo was a plaque and a cymbal that was signed by Armand Zildjian's children.^[15] Later in October 2011 Gruber died from illness.

Gruber's former drum student, Neil Peart of Rush, lauded Gruber in his literary and tutorial work.^[16] Peart authored a biographical obituary tribute which was posted to the Hudson Music website and to Gruber's own web site.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b "In Memoriam: Freddie Gruber", Hudson Music
^ Tamarkin, Jeff. "Drummer Freddie Gruber Dies at 84" Archived December 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, JazzTimes, October 19, 2011. (accessed 13 December 2014)
^ Chamberlain, Rich. "Freddie Gruber dies aged 84", Rhythm Magazine
^ ^a ^b ^c Milkowski, Bill. "Freddie Gruber: None of a Kind" Archived December 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, JazzTimes, November 2004. (accessed 13 December 2014)
^ "Freddie Gruber", Drummerworld
^ ""NEWS, WEATHER, and SPORTS: November, 2008 - The Drums Of October" NeilPeart.net
^ Stav, Steve. "Percussion, photography cross paths in Rhythm & Light - Carrie Nuttall a.k.a. Mrs. Neil Peart" Archived December 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Ink 19 Magazine
^ Iwasaki, Scott. "Photos dramatize 'Rhythm and Light'", Deseret News
^ Robb, Gregory (November 1, 2003). "Borne of the elements: December 2003". All About Jazz. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
^ Hood, Phil. "A Conversation With Freddie Gruber" Archived October 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Drum Magazine.
^ "OTR Vol. 2 - Joey Waronker" on YouTube
^ "DC LIVE with Freddie Gruber and Former Students" Archived November 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Drum Channel
^ 2011 "Lifetime Achievement Award for Education from Zildjian", Zildjian Company Flickr Group
^ Dolbear, Mike. "Interview with Daniel Glass",MikeDolBear Official Website
^ DeChristopher, John. "Zildjian family remembers Freddie Gruber" Archived October 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Zildjian
^ Peart, Neil (2002) [originally released on VHS in 1996]. A Work in Progress (DVD video, DVD-ROM with Internet features, 2 booklets). Warner Bros. Classics. produced and directed by Paul Siegel, Rob Wallis ; production, Langa Communications. Miami, Florida: Warner Bros. Publications. ISBN 9780757990298. OCLC 52762882. Retrieved May 23, 2013.

Sources

Jazz Improv Magazine Tribute to Buddy Rich: "Way Beyond Drums, Buddy Rich, A Portrait of the Man." (Spring 2006)
The Commandments of Early Rhythm and Blues Drumming - by Zoro and Daniel Glass (2008)
Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road - by Neil Peart (2002)
Travelling Music: Traveling Music : The Soundtrack to My Life and Times - by Neil Peart (2003)
Rhythm and Light - by Carrie Nuttall (2005)
Rush: Chemistry : The Definitive Biography - by Jon Collins (2005)
Roadshow : Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle - by Neil Peart (2006)
Far and Away: A Prize Every Time - by Neil Peart (2011)
Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (2010)
A Work in Progress