Honoring James Gadson: Lessons from a Master of R&B, Soul, and Funk Drums
James Gadson’s playing defined the feel of countless records. He taught us that groove isn’t something you chase; it’s something you uncover, refine, and share. He showed us that it’s not about playing more, it’s about feeling more, and he built his career on this instinct.
James Gadson’s playing can be heard across decades of R&B, soul, and blues, from The Jackson 5’s “Dancing Machine” to recordings with Bill Withers, B.B. King, and Bonnie Raitt. As a member of Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, he also helped create “Express Yourself,” one of the most sampled tracks in modern music.
During a Drum Channel Roundtable honoring Zigaboo Modeliste with guests James Gadson, Jim Keltner, Jonathan Moffett, and host Don Lombardi, Gadson shared what he learned over a lifetime behind the kit, not just about groove, but about listening, individuality, and what makes music last.
Below is an excerpt from the interview.
Funky and Finding the Groove, according to James Gadson:
“I think everybody is funky if they get the chance to be heard. It’s already in you. When you really give yourself to the music, that’s what makes it funky. And people can feel that, they relate to it.
When creating tracks, the music had to have personality and a groove. When it locked in, you didn’t think about time. You felt the whole thing from beginning to end. You were building a piece of art.
When you go back and listen to those records, they still sound better to me. A record made without a click track is a piece of art. It relaxes you. You can feel the human element in it. When you play with a click, you’re playing for the click. When you play without one, you’re playing for the music. And that’s a big difference. The music breathes. It moves. And when it moves, you move with it.
Every drummer has to find their own way. That’s what makes it interesting: everyone brings something nobody else has. That’s what drew me to Zig. He had his own thing, and when you heard it, you knew it was him.”
At the close of the interview, Gadson shared, “This was really special for me. When you sit with players you’ve admired for years, and then find out they were listening to you too, that’s humbling. I spent a lot of years just working, not knowing who was paying attention. So when someone comes up and says, ‘What you played on that record changed how I think about the shuffle,’ that means something.”
James Gadson’s impact on music will be felt for generations. His playing, wisdom, and generosity of spirit remind us why we love rhythm and groove in the first place. We honor his memory and his legacy.
To enjoy this full Drum Channel Roundtable session, click here: Honoring Zigaboo Modeliste Pt. 1
More from the legendary James Gadson:
