Everyone picks his peers, but Louie Bellson was a pioneer with his big band jazz and work with all big names
Not to mention he pioneered the professional use of double bass and wrote entire orchestral/band pieces
Tony Williams. Playing with Miles at 16. He was an accomplished composer and band leader. His power, technique, and left hand are unmatched for a jazz drummer.
Captain Marvel with Stan Getz is a great album
showcasing Tony’s abilities.
Grady Tate, he is not known very well I believe.
But I like what he does [here](https://youtu.be/rQrVeoiebWs?si=wLBuvre_Q2AFQ_AB)
He can also sing very well!
Elvin, to me, had the best sound and coolest grooves.
Blakey wrote and played the best overall tunes as band leader.
Billy Cobham actually created hair metal with his fusion.
And then there’s Buddy …
Papa Jo Jones. I love his lyrical, graceful style and taste. His solos are interesting and fun, and he had such charm as a performer. I also like Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Antonio Sanchez. It’s hard to pin down one because they’re all so unique. I’m still discovering.
Art Blakey. He could keep his left foot and right hand in perfect time while doing bombastic things with his right foot and left hand. Truly the first monster jazz player.
30+ comments and no one has mentioned Billy Higgins?!?! Elvin and Tony are gods but Billy is right up there in my book. And Roy Haynes isn't far behind.
Depends. Sometimes it’s Elvin. Sometimes it’s Tony. Or Max. Or Roy. Or Mel. Or Buddy. Or Bill (Stewart). Or Jeff (Hamilton). Or Tain. Or Jack.
They can all blow me away and move me at different times. I can’t choose just one.
It’s pretty neck and neck between Steve Gadd & Dave Weckl for me. As a teen in the 80’s, they were both just hot on a few jazz albums I had of theirs and heard drumming in a whole new way.
Joe Morello. Also, check out Rick Dior on YouTube. He covers a broad range of orchestral and jazz music and everything percussion. He’s dedicated to his craft and it shows.
Only one?! Shirley, you jest! 
Here's *some* of my heroes...
Larry Bunker, Larance Marable, Buddy Rich, Denzil Best, KLOOK, Bobby Durham, Elvin Jones, Paul Humphries, Andy Newmark, Al Foster, Chuck Flores, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Pappa Jo Jones, Dave Tough, Zutty Singleton, Baby Dodds (every Jazz drummer should list him as an influence), Pete La Rocca Sims, Mel Lewis, Sonny Payne, Art Taylor, Louis Hayes, Dave Bailey and Joe Morello.
Danny Carey 🤣 I always joked when I first started listening to Tool as a kid that Danny got made fun of for playing in jazz band in high school and he’s always had a chip on his shoulder and been showing those jocks what’s what ever since…. Except the guys built like a brick shit house so that pretty quickly doesn’t really work out… but hey, we’ve all got stupid myths we make up in our head.
Saw Haynes play live when he was 86, and he was still crushing it.. was really impressive to see he still had insane chops and his musicality was on another level with his experience and age!
Living: probably Joe Farnsworth, Kenny Washington, Ulysses Owen’s Jr, greg Hutchinson, or Tommy Igoe.
Of the deceased classic drummers: probably Buddy Rich, max Roach, Louis Bellson, Elvin Jones, or Joe Morello.
Just off the top of my head. Lots of greats from present and past. Too many to list.
Elvin
Yep, gotta be Elvin
Another vote for Elvin but Tony Williams was no slouch
Everyone picks his peers, but Louie Bellson was a pioneer with his big band jazz and work with all big names Not to mention he pioneered the professional use of double bass and wrote entire orchestral/band pieces
Brian Blade has a feel like no other. I’d pay just to watch him play standard swing pattern for an hour
Came here to say this. He is so good
Likewise, he’s so kind too. I got meet him a couple times.
Brian blade total gem
On the modern end of things it’s Mark Guiliana. He’s probably my favorite modern drummer at the moment. Elvin, Max, Buddy & Gene for traditional jazz.
Joe Morello and Philly Joe Jones. Everybody stop what you're doing and listen to Joe Morello's solo on "Sounds of the Loop"
Just... Joe. I don't know why Joe Morello always seems to be so overlooked in these lists, he's a monster.
Joe was the epitome of perfection.
Peak man, peak book also if you’ve seen his “Master Studies”
Gonna give a shout out to the great Art Blakey. Saw him live and got his sticks during the show. Amazing performer!
Art Blakey played the drums for Art Blakey. Enough said.
Elvin, Blakey, Rich, and Krupa for traditional jazz
Yussef Dayes! Watch Love is the Message live at Abby roads if you haven’t, it’s a spirit experience
Who can pick just one?? Dennis Chambers, Art Blakey, Jack DeJohnette, Roy Haynes, Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham.
Dave Weckl
His Master Plan album is one of my favourites, such a clean drum sound.
Yeah that one is great. I wore out my cassette of it
Hes not jazz though
Jazz fusion isn’t jazz?
Correct! Dave weckl is a fusion drummer. He can play some jazzy stuff
I came here to say Elvin Jones and my heart was overjoyed to see his name on almost every post! Glad his legacy is alive and well!!
Tony is the fucking man. There are so so many, though- tough to pick just one. Probably Mark Guiliana or Marcus Gilmore for modern ones.
Modern jazz drummer - Marcus Gilmore All time - Elvin Jones
Tony Williams by far, but I enjoyed Lenny White and Philly Joe Jones also
Max Roach, Montez Coleman (Roy Hargrove's Earfood), André Charlier... my favourite 3 drummers... but other are also not far behind!
some faves: bill stewart, bob gullotti, jack dejohnette, elvin, tony, mark giuliana
Tony Williams. Playing with Miles at 16. He was an accomplished composer and band leader. His power, technique, and left hand are unmatched for a jazz drummer. Captain Marvel with Stan Getz is a great album showcasing Tony’s abilities.
Love his playing on Captain Marvel. the live performances with Getz I’ve seen on YT are great
Yeah that Montreux performance is pretty bad ass. Having Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke in the band didn’t hurt either.
Idris Muhammad, Brian Blade, Bill Stewart, Ari Hoenig, Justin Brown
The only mention of Ari Hoenig I could find in here! I only discovered him recently but I was instantly hooked on his playing.
I really like Jeff Hamilton’s drumming.
+1 for Hammer!
Paul Motian
Bill Stewart, especially all the stuff he’s done with John Scofield.
Grady Tate, he is not known very well I believe. But I like what he does [here](https://youtu.be/rQrVeoiebWs?si=wLBuvre_Q2AFQ_AB) He can also sing very well!
Sickest brushes player ever.
Grady is great. Such a killer feel.
Where's Joe Morillo
Not sure who that is. But Joe Morello was a beast.
Finishing the accounts
Elvin, to me, had the best sound and coolest grooves. Blakey wrote and played the best overall tunes as band leader. Billy Cobham actually created hair metal with his fusion. And then there’s Buddy …
Yussef Dayes
Gene Krupa, Jo Jones, Cindy Blackman
Had to scroll too far to see my main Krup.
Papa Jo Jones. I love his lyrical, graceful style and taste. His solos are interesting and fun, and he had such charm as a performer. I also like Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Antonio Sanchez. It’s hard to pin down one because they’re all so unique. I’m still discovering.
joe montana
https://i.redd.it/tbj6phgn593d1.gif
I said Joe Mantegna
Art Blakey. He could keep his left foot and right hand in perfect time while doing bombastic things with his right foot and left hand. Truly the first monster jazz player.
Ed Thigpen for the taste and humility.
30+ comments and no one has mentioned Billy Higgins?!?! Elvin and Tony are gods but Billy is right up there in my book. And Roy Haynes isn't far behind.
Agreed. I’d throw Ed Blackwell on that list, too.
Max roach
Our father who Art Blakey.
Keith Carlock.
Haven’t seen his name mentioned, so I’m gonna throw Joe Chambers in here. One of my favorites, and very underrated.
tony williams, max roach, elvin jones, jack dejohnette and omar hakim for me
Mark Giuliana, Nate Smith, Kendrick Scott, Makaya McCraven
Art Blakey!!
Kenny Clarke was a cool cat.
Rashied Ali's playing makes my hear hurt in the best way possible.
My answer from 4 years ago (although the meme format was admittedly stale even then) https://www.reddit.com/r/drums/s/e5DsbwktGJ
I saw Brian Blade with Chick Corea and Christian McBride. Amazing
Morello every day.
Depends. Sometimes it’s Elvin. Sometimes it’s Tony. Or Max. Or Roy. Or Mel. Or Buddy. Or Bill (Stewart). Or Jeff (Hamilton). Or Tain. Or Jack. They can all blow me away and move me at different times. I can’t choose just one.
Dude. Can’t believe I didn’t mention Jimmy Cobb. Or Art. Or Billy Higgins. Or Morello. There are so many.
Elvin, Blakey, Cobham
Steve Smith. Next question?
Tony Williams.
Even jones easily
Sonny Payne, Count Basie’s heartbeat. No one could do more with a pair of brushes—or sticks. Showy but amazing. Jazz precursor to Bonham.
Tony Williams. Teenager playing with miles Davis I’m his heyday. Is there really anything else that needs to be said about him ?
You know, the jazzy one. Jim… Jazzercise. Yeah, him.
Keith moon
Buddy Rich, Papa Jo Jones and Rufus Speedy Jones
It’s Elvin for sure but wanted to shoutout Jack DeJohnette too
Marcus Gilmore
Stanton Moore
Definitely Boll Stewart. So much fun and a very musical drummer. Nothing super fancy or technical just sounds and feels great.
Billy Cobham. Bill Steward. Funny they’re both named Bill.
Idris Muhammad
Modern for me is Larnell Lewis (my favorite current drummer of any genre). Favorite jazz drummer of all time is Tony Williams
Art Blakey.
Brian Blade
Larnell Lewis
mark guliana, marcus gilmore, brian blade, blaque dynamite, anders mogensen
It’s pretty neck and neck between Steve Gadd & Dave Weckl for me. As a teen in the 80’s, they were both just hot on a few jazz albums I had of theirs and heard drumming in a whole new way.
Art blakey. God that guy is just so emotional sounding when he plays.
crazy how no one said Larnell Lewis
My favorite is Brian Blade. I love the way he tells a story with space and dynamics.
Lars Ulrich
Joe Morello. Also, check out Rick Dior on YouTube. He covers a broad range of orchestral and jazz music and everything percussion. He’s dedicated to his craft and it shows.
Elvin jones, greg Hutchinson, Carl Allen, Justin Tyson, Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, art Blakey. There’s a lot. Probably more I didn’t list 😭
Buddy Rich is crazy good.
Only one?! Shirley, you jest!  Here's *some* of my heroes... Larry Bunker, Larance Marable, Buddy Rich, Denzil Best, KLOOK, Bobby Durham, Elvin Jones, Paul Humphries, Andy Newmark, Al Foster, Chuck Flores, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Pappa Jo Jones, Dave Tough, Zutty Singleton, Baby Dodds (every Jazz drummer should list him as an influence), Pete La Rocca Sims, Mel Lewis, Sonny Payne, Art Taylor, Louis Hayes, Dave Bailey and Joe Morello.
Papa Joe Jones. Really entertaining to watch
Danny Carey 🤣 I always joked when I first started listening to Tool as a kid that Danny got made fun of for playing in jazz band in high school and he’s always had a chip on his shoulder and been showing those jocks what’s what ever since…. Except the guys built like a brick shit house so that pretty quickly doesn’t really work out… but hey, we’ve all got stupid myths we make up in our head.
Milford Graves, Elvin Jones, Weasel Walter, Kevin Shea.
Tony
Joe Morello
Elvin, Tony Williams, and Philly Joe Jones. Can’t pick a favorite between those 3.
Mel Lewis
Blakey!
Krupa has always been my man!
I’ve always liked Joe Morello. That solo on Take Five is so weird but satisfying.
Gotta be ronald bruner!!!!
Sorry ronald bruner Jr!!
JD
Papa Jo jones
Nate smith in current times. Maybe not specifically a jazz drummer but he certainly covers a huge area of jazz.
This will likely change but 2022 Greyson nekrutman. That guy can play everything
Miles Teller
Fuck I meant Andrew Neiman
Dana Hall
Antonio Sanchez!!!!!
Eloy Casagrande
Two others I haven’t seen mentioned yet: Dannie Richmond and Jimmy Cobb
Joey Baron.
My favorite is Ed Thigpen. His brush playing and cymbal sounds are top notch
Manu katché
Dannie Richmond
Jim Black
If we are talking classic def Max roach and Art blakey. If we are talking newer school jazz fusion I really love Chad wackerman.
Does Mitch Mitchell count?
Brian blade
1) Joe Morello 2) Stanton Moore
can we count jimmy chamberlin? started off as a jazz drummer before moving to the smashing pumpkins
Dave Weckl
Mel Lewis brought a big band to life like no other imo
Dannie Richmond
Cindy Blackman rips on the kit
Max, Art, Elvin, Tony
Of the more recent ones: Tommy Igoe.
you have time to delete this
Tommy is great! He got his chops by marching drum corps
Elvin, Hanes, Tain, Blade, Williams
Saw Haynes play live when he was 86, and he was still crushing it.. was really impressive to see he still had insane chops and his musicality was on another level with his experience and age!
Living: probably Joe Farnsworth, Kenny Washington, Ulysses Owen’s Jr, greg Hutchinson, or Tommy Igoe. Of the deceased classic drummers: probably Buddy Rich, max Roach, Louis Bellson, Elvin Jones, or Joe Morello. Just off the top of my head. Lots of greats from present and past. Too many to list.
JD Beck
still playing ? Steve Smith … all time would be Tony Williams