Drummerszone already honored John Blackwell Jr. with a video article from his performance at the Buddy Rich 25th Anniversary Memorial Concert in London in 2012. However, with the upcoming 2017 Drumworld Festival, we felt it appropriate to re-digitalize old tapes and recreate our videos of John Blackwell's performance at the second edition of this festival in 2005. After having problems with with the DI at the start of his clinic, he just decided to play a solo for 20 minutes. That is where the videos start.
We split the videos in parts because of the different sections and frases he played that day. But for those who have 27 minutes left, there is the Full Show video at the bottom of this article. Video 4 and 5 have him playing with music again. Just as amazing as watching him discover the drum set he is playing.
During all the clinics we watched John Blackwell go solo, it was always about his discovery of, and in the moment. And everything he hit was always right, even when he dropped one without any sticks on the side as backup. During the show you'll see the author of the acclaimed 'Cymbal Book' and the musical 'Tip Book' series, and host of the drum show that day, Hugo Pinksterboer, picking it up and returning it to him. Just details, but nice to know to see what is happening!
John Blackwell Jr. was only 43 years old when he passed away on July 4th, 2017. One of the greater drummers of his days and an inspiration to countless aspiring- and drummers on every level in music. His talent was incredible to expierence every time. It let him to play and record with Prince for 12 years, being a nominated and winning Grammy Award drummer, and it allowed him to work with artists like Patti LaBelle, Cameo, Justin Timberlake, Bootsy Collins and D'Angelo. These references put him in the list of legendary drummers in no-time.
Videos John Blackwell Jr. Adams Drumworld Festival 2005
John Blackwell Jr. Drum Solo Drumworld Festival - Full Show
John Blackwell Jr. - Drum Solo Part 1
John Blackwell Jr. - Drum Solo Part 2
John Blackwell Jr. - Drum Solo Part 3
John Blackwell Jr. - Drum Solo Part 4
John Blackwell Jr. - Drum Solo Part 5
All artists performing at the Adams Drumworld Festival 2005
John Blackwell Jr.
René Creemers
Wim de Vries
Stéphane Galland
Andy Gillmann
Omar Hakim
Femke Krone
Ron van Stratum
John Blackwell's last endorsements
Dixon drums
Remo drumheads
Regal Tip
Turkish cymbals
Previous endorsements
Tama drums
Yamaha drums
Evans drumheads
Sabian cymbals
Zildjian cymbals & drumsticks
Vater Percussion
Liner note: the pictures added are from John Blackwell's sound check at the Buddy Rich 25th Anniversary Memorial Concert in London in 2012. Sadly enough we only have a few of John Blackwell's show at the Drumworld Festival, which are just not good enough for publication. The videos speak for itself, though.
