Anyone see this movie? I saw it earlier this week and it is phenomenal! Everyone on this site will love this movie. I don't know that much about jazz. I have "Kind of Blue", but that's really the extent of my knowledge. But after seeing this movie, I'm going to be spending a lot of time listening to Charlie Parker and Buddy Rich. Buddy Rich makes our fellow rock greats look pretty silly in comparison. Check out this solo of his below....has to be the best of all time. He's an absolute beast!
I loved that movie as well 
JK Simmons deserved his Oscar for his musical variation on the "tough drill instructor" type character.
"That's not my time. Can you even read tempo? Can you even read MUSIC?"
"I want you shitting out perfect 400s!"
I am so glad that my drum instructor at UGA, Dr. Arvin Scott, was a much nicer guy than Simmons' character 😉
I loved the movie. But there's a connection that may or may not have been intended.
Buddy was as tough a taskmaster as the character in the movie. His bus rants are legendary. He tore his band apart after gigs.
As I watched the movie, I couldn't help but think of Buddy's famous rants...
As a movie fan, jazz fan, and drummer I'm excited about seeing this
Buddy was known to have a strong personality, in addition to a boat load of talent. I was lucky to see him once.
Bill Graham wrote a cool story about him in his book. Graham was never impressed by the typical rock drum solo (neither am I) and he convinced Buddy to play in one of the Fillmores as a warm up band. The crowd loved it. Needless to say the headline act did not include the usual drum solo
If you like Buddy Rich, check out Elvin Jones
Really enjoyed that film, was stunned by the playing, and very convincing acting
What was so amazing to me was that the kid actually bought into that teaching style and seemed to enjoy it. He kept going back for more and more abuse. Best line of the film (aside from the hilarious wisecracks), was the kid asking JK Simmons, "do you think there's a line that you shouldn't cross, where you might discourage the next Charlie Parker from becoming great?" Simmons replies, "No, because the next Charlie Parker wouldn't get discouraged." Wow.
And yes, it would appear that Simmons' character is actually an impression of Buddy Rich himself.
I wouldn't say I "enjoyed" the movie, but it was surely well-done! Being a musician, I was excited to see it and fascinated by it. Being a teacher, I was mortified at the drill Sargent mentality and lack of awareness that different kids learn in different ways. I do think Simmons earned that Oscar, though. IMHO, Birdman was a way better movie that featured drumming.
My buddy Ben Hernandez, bassist for Deep Blue Sun and local Atlanta musician-about-town, has a bunch of those Buddy Rich rants They are quite entertaining!
You don't have to be a nice person to be a great musician, but those tapes sure make you appreciate the folks who manage to be both.
I wouldn't say I "enjoyed" the movie, but it was surely well-done! Being a musician, I was excited to see it and fascinated by it. Being a teacher, I was mortified at the drill Sargent mentality and lack of awareness that different kids learn in different ways. I do think Simmons earned that Oscar, though.
Well said...I also enjoyed it alot....
