Who Is The Best Cymbal Player?

[Roch]

Who are the drummers that you think get the most out of their cymbals? Are there any particular drummers that you learned some technique to express yourselves through the use of the cymbals? We tend to look at drummers through the actual drums, but never judge or analyze their approach to cymbal playing..
Is this even a legitimate question?

 

[SKINZ]

Paul Motian
Jon Christensen
Bob Moses
Ronald Shannon Jackson

 

[Ptrick]

Tony Williams’ ride cymbal playing in the 1960’s. Perfection.

 

[shuffle]

Mel Lewis

 

[aparker2005]

Shannon Larkin
Alex Gonzales
Carter Beauford

 

[multijd]

Tony Williams
Jack DeJohnette
Elvin Jones
Billy Hart
Dan Gottlieb
Jon Christensen
Peter Erskine
Steve Gadd
Bill Bruford
Roy Haynes
Airto Moreira
Papa Jo Jones
Mel Lewis
Freddie Waits
Billy Hggins
Al Foster
Don Moye
Phillip Wilson

 

[DrummerJustLikeDad]

I’ll go with Andrew Pawelczyk.

 

[zenstat]

I would add

Bill Stewart
Mike Melito
Dan Weiss
Ari Hoenig
Leon Parker

to all of the above.

 

[MasterBlaster]

A true patriot!!!

 

[vintagemore2000]

John Henry Bonham.
Vinnie Colauita.

 

[hardbat]

Tony, hands down.

 

[AtlantaDrumGuy]

Paul Motian. Mel Lewis. Billy Higgins.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I never knew "cymbal player" was a thing.

Are they called Cymbalists??? Cymbalers???

I'm so confused...

 

[chilidrum]

Best cymbal player? Mr Kiko Freitas. His signature ride sound awesome too!

Cheers!

 

[MasterBlaster]

A Cymbalist!!!

 

[Gunnellett]

Ben White

 

[Cliff DeArment]

Percussionist.

 

[cworrick]

Well, these guys came in 1st....

 

[Markkuliini]

Tony, hands down.

Who's the best in the normal playing position?

 

[Freewill3]

Stewart Copeland & Simon Phillips!