Practicing Drummer

Recorded March 2026
Steven Crammer is a drummer based in Brooklyn, NY. His uniquely flexible musicianship has led to a rising stature on the jazz scene, since moving to NYC in 2018. Steven has released two albums, both with co-led projects. His debut album 'Nortonk' was released on Biophilia Records in 2021. The album received praise in multiple publications including Pop Matters, Jazz Trail, Jazzwise, and All About Jazz. In November 2025, his piano trio ‘Prawntail’ released their first record on Endectomorph Music.
He is also a highly active sideman, having performed and/or recorded with a broad range of artists including Max Light, Cecil Alexander, Brian Krock, Matt Pavolka, Chris McCarthy, and many more. You can catch Steven regularly playing in NYC in a wide variety of settings as well as on tour across the US, Canada, and Europe.
Website: stevencrammer.com
Instagram: instagram.com/stevencrammer
Prawntail - Bandcamp
Nortonk - Bandcamp
Nortonk - Album release performance
Nortonk - Drum solo on Cherry

Drummers
Ted Poor
Gerald Cleaver
Craig Taborn - Chants

Books
Ritmica - Portuguese Brazilian drum book
Dan Weiss video courses
John Riley's drum books

Albums
Clifford Jarvis with Barry Harris
Wilbur Ware - Super Bass (with Ed Blackwell)
Jaki Byard - The Last from Lennie's (with Alan Dawson)
Ornette Coleman - This is Our Music
Charlie Parker - One Night in Birdland

Andrew Cyrille instructional VHS (clip) - Please reach out if you have a copy of the whole video.
Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded in February 2026
Eliza Salem is a drummer, composer, and educator living in New York. 
Since Eliza’s career is still relatively young, I thought it would a good time to dive into her upbringing, time in college, and what it’s been like building a career and community in New York. 
Hope you enjoy this interview with drummer Eliza Salem!
Website: https://elizasalem.com/
Instagram: @sickwormfacts
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
https://bkcm.org/profile/eliza-salem/
Wilcoxon - All American Drummer
https://amzn.to/4rKnLN9
Wilcoxon - Rudimental Swing Solos
https://amzn.to/4b4AS4E
Marta Sanchez live at Bop Stop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRqDwJWNWEk
Next Jazz Legacy program
https://newmusicusa.org/program/next-jazz-legacy/
Careful in the Sun - Soft Alarm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBW6P5euuZA
Nicole McCabe - Color Theory
https://nicolemccabe.bandcamp.com/album/color-theory
Rick Roe - Monk’s Modern Music
https://www.roejazz.com/product-page/rick-roe-monk-s-modern-music-cd
Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded December 2025
Charles is a drummer from New York who started gigging at just 11 years old. 
We cover what it was like growing up on the bandstand, his time with Billy Drummond and Kenny Washington at Juilliard, studying with the incredible Marvin “Bugalu” Smith, and a lot more.
Despite being relatively young, Charles has an incredible amount of experience and drops a lot of knowledge in this episode.
https://www.charlesgooldmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/chuckgeezy
https://charlesgoold.bandcamp.com
Full show notes and links:
https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e16-charles-goold
Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

For most of us, Steve Smith needs no introduction. He’s simply one of the most influential drummers of our time. 
He was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame for his work with Journey
He’s also considered one of the top jazz and fusion drummers
He’s led his own group Vital information for more than 40 years
On top of all that he’s produced some of the best educational books and videos for drummers - I’m currently obsessed with the brush video he did with Adam Nussbaum where they sit down with Billy Hart, Eddie Locke, Joe Morello, Charlie Persip and Ben Riley who demonstrate their technique. It’s incredible.
Anyway, it’s a huge deal that I got to talk to Steve. I’ve been a fan since I was a teenager. 
Before we get going I want to give a big thanks to friend of the show Scott Amendola for connecting us. And of course, I have to thank Steve for being so generous with his time. 
https://www.vitalinformation.com/
https://www.instagram.com/stevesmithdrums/
https://www.youtube.com/stevesmithchannel

The music included with this episode is Sumo by Vital Information.
Full show notes and links:
https://www.practicingdrummer.com/podcast-e15-steve-smith
Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.

Recorded June 2025
Ron Tierno's name first came up in my interview with Hank Allen-Barfield, who mentioned studying The Melodic Snare Drummer—a book by Ron—while working with Billy Drummond at Juilliard.
Ron has spent his entire career based in New York, where he did some recording and worked extensively as a Broadway musician. He played on the first national tour of CATS and later joined the show's long-running Broadway production.
These days, Ron teaches out of Good Hands Drum Shop in Manhattan and continues to take on some freelance gigs. For the past decade, he’s also performed in holiday concerts with the Boston Pops. While he still enjoys playing, Ron now primarily identifies as a Broadway veteran and educator, drawing on his decades of experience.
https://www.rontierno.com
Ron's Broadway Drumming 101 interview

Ron's Books
The Melodic Snare Drummer
The Hip-Hop Snare Drummer
The Swingin' Snare Drummer

Good Hands Drum Shop in New York City
https://goodhandsdrumshop.com

Other Links
Andy Lalino – Sit In And Play Along On Drums
Jim Chapin – Profile Of A Jazz Drummer: Skin Tight
Music Minus One – For Drummers Only
The Sons of Champlin - Follow Your Heart

The music included with this episode is The Old Man by Frank Weber.

Practicing Drummer
practicingdrummer.com
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

The drum intro is from Charles Ruggiero's Loop Loft sample pack.

Thank you to Bart over at the Drum History podcast for his technical advice and help getting this podcast started.