Duke’s Sidemen : Sam Woodyard

Here’s another of Dukes great sidemen. Sam Woodyard. He was Ellington’s Drummer for ten years. He anchored the band and put the swing and beat into the music.

When lists come out on great rock drummers like Ginger Baker, Charlies Watts, Bill Bruford etc. You gotta know that they learned their chops from guys like Sam. Plus Ginger and the boys were never shy about giving credit to the drummers they listened to. I would guess that SW would be in that conversation.

It’s easy to take for granted the musicians that played in Duke’s band but when I listen to his music, band members like Woodyard grab my ear and have me snapping my fingers and tapping my toes. He swings. Just another example of the kind of musicianship that Ellington collected to play his music. He always featured them and “banged their drums”. He let them cut loose. I know he loved his guys.

CB always likes a good drum solo. Check out some of Sams work below. I think you will dig it. I know I do. Cool thing is he does it in a suit and tie. Now that’s cool!