We haven't had one of these threads yet, so I felt I should start one. There are so many fabulous drummers in the Jazz world that to cite one above all the rest would be rediculous, so let's just list some of our personal favorites. Mine would be Elvin Jones, Han Bennink, Sven-Åke Johansson, Jimmy Cobb, and Alex Cline, among hundreds of others...so just list your personal favs...

Gene Krupa & Buddy Rich

Elvin Jones is my personal favorite. May he rest in peace.

Other drummers that I appreciate:

John Marshall
Tony Williams
Han Bennink
Sven-Åke Johansson
John Stevens
Alan Rushton
Barry Altschul
Phil Howard
Tony Oxley

Elvin Jones

Max Roach, Art Blakey and John Martin.

And ofcourse the Belgian-Italian Bruno Castelucci

I think Elvin Jones, MISTER Elvin Jones, is a great great great drummer. When you listen to him you can imagine a whole forest around you! It's incredible!

Ed Blackwell was a unique timekeeper. A rootsy swinging vibe & rudimentary sounding kit. I caught him live once, and was impressed by how he 'pulled' the band forward with his creative use of tension / syncopation. What a fine bed of time for the band to work with.

The only drummer that sticks out to me is Elvin Jones, then again I really don't pay much attention to jazz drummers....

A "Heart beat" for Joe Morello.
I always loved and still can appreciate his "Melodic" drumming !


Moondog

tony williams is at the top of my list...but only his stuff up to about lifetime w/
mclaughlin & young.

otherwise: roy haynes, elvin, billy higgins, and ed blackwell