Grammy-Winning Drummer Turns 61

Terri Lyne Carrington is an iconic drummer and composer who has won four Grammy Awards. She was the first female musician to win for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, and she is also the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. Throughout her career, she has played with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Joe Sample. Today, she turns 61.

In an interview with 15 Questions, Carrington spoke about what inspired her to start playing the drums. “I started so young that I don’t really remember what captivated me,” she admitted. “It was mostly because the drums were there. My dad used to play his father‘s drums on occasion, so I’m a firm believer that if you provide instruments or other means of artistic expression, children will find their way. The more interesting question to me is what has kept me captivated and interested in the drums. I always say that I don’t LOVE the drums. I don’t like talking shop, and I don’t like them enough to really practice, but I love music. I love improvising, and I love being creative. The drums are a tool to do those things.”

Carrington also spoke about the first drum kit that she received when she was only seven years old. “First drum kit was my grandfather’s, so it was very old – from the late 40s or early 50s,” she said. “Then I got an endorsement at 11 with Slingerland and got a replica of Buddy Rich’s set, at his request. 20’inch kick. I wasn’t confident to really play an 18 kick until I was 18 and began endorsing Yamaha drums. Have been with them and Zildjian ever since.”

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She continued, “But I’m not an instrument geek. And more interested in creating something with whatever is there, adapting and adjusting to the sound needed at the moment – depending on the room, the music and the equipment. I also worked on developing my touch and sound so that I can still sound like me, no matter what I’m playing.”

Carrington hosts Future Flavorswith Terri Lyne Carrington on SiriusXM’s Real Jazz, a weekly one-hour radio show. It airs Fridays at 6:00 PM ET.