Seeing new drummers move into the public eye is one of the most exciting parts of being a drummer. Having that "new name" bring their ideas to the kit, and to the masses, is the art of drumming in its purest form. This month I had the opportunity to chat with one of the most creative artists behind the kit, drummer EJ Strickland. Strickland is making his mark across the board, playing with his brother Marcus Strickland and most recently with Ravi Coltrane.

     InsideCx: Tell us a bit about you and how you ended up choosing the drums.

     EJ: I always wanted to play the drums as a kid. I actually started on trombone, but that wasn't my choice. After seeing my father play the drums at a neighborhood cookout, I begged my teacher to let me play the drums and he granted me my wish.

     InsideCx: Share with us your biggest influences as a young drummer.

     EJ: My biggest influence is Elvin Jones. He's the very first drummer I ever heard, and I really wanted to sound like him. But I also listened to Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, "Philly" Joe Jones, Art Blakey, Jack DeJohnette. Coltrane's music was a big part of my vision as an artist as well.

     InsideCx: What kind of drums do you play and why?

     EJ: I play Yamaha Maple/Oak Customs. I feel that these drums best provide me with the overall sound I'm looking for. The way the drums are configured is very important too. They speak very well and have many great sub-tonal qualities (rimshots, mallet response, etc.). Tell them I should endorse them!

     InsideCx: Tell us about upcoming projects and working with your brother Marcus on the Twi-Life project.

     EJ: Working with my brother on the Twi-Life project has been a very enlightening experience for me. I've rarely had the opportunity to work in an all-electric band before. Just the mere sound of the group provokes me to hear things I don't normally hear while playing. And the music is very challenging in terms of orchestration. I'm still working with Ravi Coltrane, which has been very delightful as well. I've just begun working with Moncef Genoud's trio. I rarely work in the trio format. I have my own group that I started in 2005, the E.J. Strickland Project. Hopefully, we'll do a recording soon.

     InsideCx: What's the best advice you can give an up-and -coming drummer?

          EJ: Never limit yourself. Don't be just a good jazz drummer. Be a good drummer in all types of situations. Listen to world music, hip-hop, country, classical. Dare to expand your creativity!

     Product Review<

     Paiste Dark Full Ride 21"

      Since we have been celebrating the new toys from Paiste during the past few months, let us continue with their new Paiste Dark Full Ride 21". As a player, I was never able to hear a ride cymbal from Paiste that had that dark earth tone that a Zildjian could capture. Well, mission accomplished. With a light groove to the surface and a gorgeous-sounding bell tone, Paiste has created one of the finest Ride cymbals my ears have heard in some time. I would say the cymbal would have its best use in a jazz or mainstream pop project. It has a very tone-oriented sound in which you can hear each stroke clearly. For all of the nonbelievers who play Zildjian, take a ride to the see the cymbal man and tell him youbll at least taste it.