Description
Jost Nickel represents a new generation of drummers emerging from Germany. As a leading session and touring musician, he is alongside his peers Benny Greb, Marco Minnemann, and the rising Anika Nilles, one of Jost’s students, pushing contemporary drumming into innovative territories. However, one fundamental lesson he has learned from his experiences playing jazz and fusion with Randy Brecker and Barry Finnerty, funk and dance with Seeed and Mousse T., or hip hop with chart-topping artist Jan Delay, is that The Groove is essential for uniting the band, energizing the music, and inspiring listeners to move. Given the high expectations placed on drummers to establish the groove and set the band's feel, it has become increasingly important not only what is played but also how it is executed. This principle is the core of Jost Nickel’s Groove Book. He illustrates how to craft grooves through various orchestrations, including splits and switches, ghost notes, displacements of the snare and bass drum, linear groove concepts, and much more. "Players and listeners," Jost states, "are drawn to the groove because it serves as the focal point. It acts as a magnet. Without an exceptional groove, there is no feel, no movement, and no music. Furthermore, if drummers cannot play outstanding grooves, they will miss out on significant opportunities. Therefore, my book is designed to help players learn and refine their groove skills while also developing their unique vocabulary of grooves." The included mp3-CD and the accompanying reading text significantly aid in clarifying the introduced patterns and assist drummers in creating their own unique patterns. "This book," Jost adds, "focuses on grooves that not only sound fantastic but are also enjoyable to play. Engaging with this book will empower drummers to perform with a deeper feel, improved timing, and enhanced creativity. It is aimed at the passion that drummers—and the musicians they collaborate with—have for exceptional-sounding grooves." In addition to his touring and recording endeavors, Jost, who received his education at Drummers Collective in New York, serves as an instructor at the prestigious University of Pop in Mannheim and the Music Academy in Hamburg. He made his international debut as a
