Part One of this discussion of Morey Feld appeared in our March 2024 issue, and Part Two was published in May 2024.
Hal Smith: Brother Kevin, I have really been looking forward to this analysis of another film where we can see and hear the great Morey Feld onscreen. By the way, thanks to YOU for making me aware of it and also for commenting on some of the techniques that Morey used. (We’ll get to that shortly). In 1966, Benny Goodman took a sextet to the Belgium Jazz Festival in Brussels. This documentary film includes footage of a rehearsal at a Belgian hotel and one entire song filmed at the festival. The musicians on the Belgium gig were: Goodman, clarinet; Doc Cheatham, trumpet; Bernie Leighton, piano; Les Spann, guitar; Al Hall, bass; and Morey Feld, drums. That’s a mix of old pros with extensive big band and studio credentials and a couple of younger players who were not part of the older swing tradition. However, it works! And as we hear the band warming up, it is apparent right away that Morey is going to be the anchor in the rhythm section. Do you hear it the same way, Brother?
Kevin Dorn: When they start rehearsing the new piece, we hear Morey switch to sticks and again his swing and assertiveness really come through. The guys are working things out and they’re sight reading, so there is some natural tentativeness. As a drummer, Morey Feld can’t afford to be tentat
