Freddie Gruber

Freddie Gruber (May 27, 1927 – October 11, 2011) was an American jazz drummer and teacher to a number of professional drummers.^[3][4][5]

Gruber grew up in the nascent New York City bebop scene. Although he started his performance career as a tap dancer, by the mid-1940s while still in his teens he had toured as a drummer with Rudy Vallée and played with Harry Gibson. In 1949 Gruber began playing with Charlie Parker among many others.^[4]

After fighting his own heroin addiction, Gruber left New York City shortly after Parker's death in 1955. He settled in Los Angeles in 1957 after a stint in Las Vegas, where he continued working as a professional jazz drummer. Gruber began teaching drums in the mid-1960s at a Los Angeles music store owned by vibraphonist Terry Gibbs.^[4]

Gruber's student list includes Vinnie Colaiuta, Eddie Rubin, Neil Peart,^[6][7][8] Steve Smith,^[9] Dave Weckl, Bruce Becker,^[10] Joey Waronker,^[11] Ross Garfield, and his last student before he died, Paul Goldberg. Gruber was an instructor and mentor at the Drum Channel Studio.^[12]

On January 15, 2011, Gruber was honored at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, with a lifetime achievement award for educational excellence throughout his career.^[13] The large framed award featured a classic photo of legendary jazz drummers: Buddy Rich,^[14] Jo Jones (known as Papa Jo Jones in his later years), and Gruber himself. Under the photo was a plaque and a cymbal that was signed by Armand Zildjian's children.^[15] Later in October 2011 Gruber died from illness.

Gruber's former drum student, Neil Peart of Rush, lauded Gruber in his literary and tutorial work.^[16] Peart authored a biographical obituary tribute which was posted to the Hudson Music website and to Gruber's own web site.^[1]