Earl Palmer (New Orleans) and Jim Keltner (Tulsa) both come from Jazz backgrounds. Palmer is the drummer heard on Little Richard’s 1950’s Rock ’n’ Roll records, and on some of Phil Spector’s 1960’s procductions (along with Hal Blaine, also a Jazz guy originally). In the 1990’s I and a lot of other drummers went to Chadney’s in Burbank to listen to Earl play in his Jazz trio.
Keltner plays drums on a lot of Rock albums, including those by John Lennon, George Harrison, Ry Cooder, Bill Frisell (definitely a Jazz guitarist, but he dabbles in Americana), Randy Newman, Bob Dylan, The Traveling Wilbury’s, LOTS of others.
Zappa had lots of Jazz musicians in his band over the years, and Steely Dan did on their albums. Jeff Beck’s drummer Vinnie Colaiuta comes from Jazz, as did Toto’s Jeff Porcaro. Steve Smith of Journey too (he’s now back to playing that music). Guitarist Danny Gatton played Jazz AND Rockabilly. I could cite a hundred more examples. To say there are no Jazz players in Rock reveals ignorance, not superior taste or standards.
Keltner plays drums on a lot of Rock albums, including those by John Lennon, George Harrison, Ry Cooder, Bill Frisell (definitely a Jazz guitarist, but he dabbles in Americana), Randy Newman, Bob Dylan, The Traveling Wilbury’s, LOTS of others.
Zappa had lots of Jazz musicians in his band over the years, and Steely Dan did on their albums. Jeff Beck’s drummer Vinnie Colaiuta comes from Jazz, as did Toto’s Jeff Porcaro. Steve Smith of Journey too (he’s now back to playing that music). Guitarist Danny Gatton played Jazz AND Rockabilly. I could cite a hundred more examples. To say there are no Jazz players in Rock reveals ignorance, not superior taste or standards.