Drummers’ Summit: Let’s Talk About Morey Feld

Hal Smith: Well, Brother Kevin...It seems like forever since we “talked shop” for an article in The Syncopated Times. Before another year slips away, what do you say we talk about one of our favorite drummers; someone who is consistently overlooked, but deserves to be much better known? That would be Morey Feld. We have his commercial records with Bud Freeman, Benny Goodman, Joe Bushkin, Peanuts Hucko, Slam Stewart, the World’s Greatest Jazz Band, and under his own name as well as live recordings made with Wild Bill Davison, Bobby Hackett and Pee Wee Erwin. And though many of our drum heroes seldom appeared onscreen, we can see Morey Feld play on some television programs from the 1960s which have been preserved. (In addition, one of the participants in this discussion has recorded a couple of marvelous videos illustrating the Morey Feld style of drumming). To start off, I will mention three of Mr. Feld’s recordings from the 1940s and what catches my ear on each one. Then I would like to hear what you have to say about these sides. First is a 1940 recording by Bud Freeman’s Summa Cum Laude Orchestra, from the “Wolverines Jazz” album. For my money, this is one of the most perfect jazz bands to ever record. From Max Kaminsky’s beautiful cornet sound to the understated timekeeping on the drums, I could listen to the SCL 24/7/365. On “Oh Baby (Don’t Say ’No,’ Say