Bernard Purdie

Bernard Lee "Pretty" Purdie (born June 11, 1939) is an American drummer, and an influential R&B, soul and funk musician.[1] He is known for his precise musical time-keeping[2] and his signature use of triplets against a half-time backbeat: the "Purdie Shuffle."[3] He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013.[4]

Bernard Purdie
Purdie in 2020
Purdie in 2020
Background information
Birth nameBernard Lee Purdie
Also known as
  • Bernard "Pretty" Purdie
  • Pretty Purdie
  • Mississippi Bigfoot
Born (1939-06-11) June 11, 1939
Elkton, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Drums
Years active1958–present
Labels
Websitebernardpurdiedrums.com

Purdie recorded Soul Drums (1968) as a band leader and although he went on to record Alexander's Ragtime Band, the album remained unreleased until Soul Drums was reissued on CD in 2009 with the Alexander's Ragtime Band sessions. Other solo albums include Purdie Good! (1971), Soul Is... Pretty Purdie (1972) and the soundtrack for the blaxploitation film Lialeh (1973).

In the mid-1990s he was a member of the 3B's, with Bross Townsend and Bob Cunningham.

Biography

Purdie was born on June 11, 1939, in Elkton, Maryland, US, the eleventh of fifteen children.[5] At an early age he began hitting cans with sticks and learned the elements of drumming techniques from overhearing lessons being given by Leonard Heywood. He later took lessons from Heywood and played in Heywood's big band. Purdie's other influences at that time were Papa Jo Jones, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Joe Marshall, Art Blakey,[6] as well as Cozy Cole, Sticks Evans, Panama Francis, Louis Bellson, and Herbie Lovelle.[7]

In 1961, he moved from his home town of Elkton, Maryland, to New York City. There he played sessions with Mickey and Sylvia and regularly visited the Turf Club on 50th and Broadway, where musicians, agents, and promoters met and touted for business. It was during this period that he played for the saxophonist Buddy Lucas, who nicknamed him 'Mississippi Bigfoot'. Eventually Barney Richmond contracted him to play session work.[6]

Purdie was contracted by arranger Sammy Lowe to play a session with James Brown in 1965 and recording session records also show that Purdie played on "Ain't That A Groove"[8] at the same session.[6] Purdie is credited on James Brown's albums Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud (1969)[9] and Get on the Good Foot (1972).[10]

Purdie started working with Aretha Franklin as musical director in 1970 and held that position for five years,[1] as well as drumming for Franklin's opening act, saxophonist King Curtis and the King Pins.[11] From March 5 to March 7, 1971, he performed with both bands at the Fillmore West; the resulting live recordings were released as Aretha Live at Fillmore West (1971) and King Curtis's Live at Fillmore West (1971).[12] His best known track with Franklin was "Rock Steady",[13] on which he played what he described as "a funky and low down beat". Of his time with Franklin he once commented that "backing her was like floating in seventh heaven".[6]

Purdie was credited on the soundtrack album for the film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) and later he was the drummer for the 2009 Broadway revival of Hair and appeared on the associated Broadway cast recording.[14] In 2016, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by Five Towns College.[15]

Purdie has been a resident of New Jersey, living in Edison, Teaneck and Springfield Township.[16] In 2023, he moved to New Bern, North Carolina.

Encounter Records

Purdie founded Encounter Records in 1973 and released five albums:

  • EN 3000: Seldon Powell – Messin' With Seldon Powell (with Jimmy Owens, Garnett Brown)
  • EN 3001: Sands of Time – Profile (with Jimmy Owens, Garnett Brown, Seldon Powell)
  • EN 3002: East Coast – East Coast (with Larry Blackmon, Gwen Guthrie, Haras Fyre)
  • EN 3003: Frank Owens – Brown 'N' Serve (with Hugh McCracken)[17]
  • EN 3004: Harold Vick as "Sir Edward" – The Power of Feeling (with Victor Gaskin)

Drumming style

Purdie shuffle variants[18] Play.
Purdie shuffle variant[19] Play.

Purdie is known as a groove drummer with immaculate timing who makes use of precision half note, backbeats, and grooves.[2] Purdie's signature sixteenth note hi-hat lick pish-ship, pish-ship, pish-ship is distinct.[6] He often employs a straight eight groove sometimes fusing several influences such as swing, blues and funk. He created the now well-known drum pattern Purdie Half-Time Shuffle that is a blues shuffle variation with the addition of syncopated ghost notes on the snare drum.[19] Variations on this shuffle can be heard on songs such as Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain", the Police's "Walking on the Moon", and Toto's "Rosanna" (Rosanna shuffle).[19][20] Purdie plays the shuffle on Steely Dan's "Babylon Sisters"[21] and "Home At Last".[19]

Discography

As leader/co-leader

  • Soul Drums (Columbia, 1967)
  • Purdie Good! (Prestige, 1971) [note: reissued as Legends of Acid Jazz: Bernard Purdie in 1996]
  • Stand by Me (Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get) (Mega Records [in the 'Flying Dutchman Series'], 1972) with the Playboys
  • Soul Is... Pretty Purdie (Flying Dutchman, 1972; reissued on BGP/Ace in 2014)
  • Shaft (Prestige, 1973) recorded 1971 [note: reissued as Legends of Acid Jazz: Bernard Purdie in 1996]
  • Lialeh (Original Movie Soundtrack) (Bryan, 1974)
  • Delights of the Garden (Celluloid, 1975) with the Last Poets
  • Purdie as a Picture (Kilmarnock, 1993) with Galt MacDermot's New Pulse Jazz Band
  • Bernard Purdie's Jazz Groove Sessions in Tokyo (Lexington/West 47th, 1993)
  • Coolin' 'N Groovin' (A Night At 'On-Air') (Lexington/West 47th, 1993)
  • After Hours with the 3B's (3B's Music, 1993)
  • Soothin' 'N Groovin' With the 3B's (3B's Music, 1994) with Houston Person
  • The Hudson River Rats (3B's Music, 1995)
  • Fatback! The Jazz Funk Masters Featuring Bernard Purdie (Seven Seas, 1995)
  • Kick 'N Jazz (Drum Beat Blocks, 1996)
  • Soul to Jazz I (Act, 1996) with the WDR Big Band
  • Soul to Jazz II (Act, 1997) with the WDR Big Band
  • In the Pocket (P-Vine, 1997)
  • Get It While You Can (3B's Music, 1999) with the Hudson River Rats
  • The Masters of Groove Meet Dr. No (Jazzateria, 2001) with Reuben Wilson, Grant Green Jr., Tarus Mateen
  • King of the Beat (3B's Music, 2001)
  • Purdie Good Cookin' (3B's Music, 2003) with Purdie's Powerhouse
  • The Godfathers of Groove (18th & Vine, 2007) with Reuben Wilson, Grant Green Jr., Jerry Jemmott [note: originally released as The Masters of Groove]
  • The Godfathers of Groove 3 (18th & Vine, 2009) with Reuben Wilson, Grant Green Jr., Bill Easley
  • Jersey Blue (Running Rogue, 2009) with Gene McCormick, Jack Hoban
  • Selling It Like It Is (Cadence Jazz, 2009 [rel. 2013]) with David Haney
  • Cool Down (Sugar Road, 2018)

As sideman

  • Herbie MannOur Mann Flute (Atlantic, 1966)
  • Jack McDuffA Change Is Gonna Come (Atlantic, 1966)
  • Freddie McCoy – Funk Drops (Prestige, 1966)
  • Gábor SzabóJazz Raga (Impulse!, 1966)
  • Benny GolsonTune In, Turn On (Verve, 1967)
  • King Curtis & the Kingpins – Instant Groove (Atco, 1967)
  • Tim RoseTim Rose (Columbia, 1967)
  • Nina SimoneNina Simone Sings the Blues (RCA Victor, 1967)
  • Phil UpchurchFeeling Blue (Milestone, 1967)
  • Nina SimoneSilk & Soul (RCA Victor, 1967)
  • Tom RushThe Circle Game (Elektra, 1968)
  • The Soul Finders – Sweet Soul Music (RCA Camden CAS-2170, 1968)
  • Wilson PickettThe Midnight Mover (Atlantic, 1968)
  • David "Fathead" NewmanBigger & Better (Atlantic, 1968)
  • David "Fathead" Newman – The Many Facets of David Newman (Atlantic, 1969)
  • Freddie McCoy – Listen Here (Prestige, 1968)
  • Albert AylerNew Grass (Impulse!, 1968)
  • Shirley ScottSoul Song (Atlantic, 1968)
  • Solomon BurkeKing Solomon (Atlantic, 1968)
  • Gary McFarland – America the Beautiful: An Account of Its Disappearance (Skye, 1969)
  • Jimmy McGriffElectric Funk (Blue Note, 1969)
  • Sonny Phillips – Sure 'Nuff (Prestige, 1969)
  • John Lee HookerSimply the Truth (BluesWay, 1969)
  • Randy BreckerScore (Solid State, 1969)
  • Carla ThomasMemphis Queen (Stax, 1969)
  • Al KooperYou Never Know Who Your Friends Are (Columbia, 1969)
  • Hank CrawfordMr. Blues Plays Lady Soul (Atlantic, 1969)
  • Gary BurtonGood Vibes (Atlantic, 1969)
  • Shirley ScottShirley Scott & the Soul Saxes (Atlantic, 1969)
  • Yusef LateefYusef Lateef's Detroit (Atlantic, 1969)
  • Boogaloo Joe Jones – Boogaloo Joe (Prestige, 1969)
  • Johnny "Hammond" SmithSoul Talk (Prestige, 1969)
  • Gene AmmonsThe Boss Is Back! (Prestige, 1969)
  • Gene AmmonsBrother Jug! (Prestige, 1969)
  • Rusty Bryant – Night Train Now! (Prestige, 1969)
  • Herbie HancockFat Albert Rotunda (Warner Bros., 1969)
  • Dizzy GillespieCornucopia (Solid State, 1969)
  • Johnny "Hammond" SmithBlack Feeling! (Prestige, 1969)
  • Larry CoryellCoryell (Vanguard, 1969)
  • Sonny Phillips – Black on Black! (Prestige, 1970)
  • Jimmy McGriff & Junior Parker – The Dudes Doin' Business (Capitol, 1970)
  • Johnny "Hammond" SmithHere It 'Tis (Prestige, 1970)
  • Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong and His Friends (Flying Dutchman, 1970)
  • Boogaloo Joe Jones – Right On Brother (Prestige, 1970)
  • Boogaloo Joe Jones – No Way! (Prestige, 1970)
  • Robert Palmer's Insect Trust – Hoboken Saturday Night (Atco, 1970)
  • Charles Kynard – Afro-Disiac (Prestige, 1970)
  • Five StairstepsO-o-h Child (Buddah, 1970) - Disputed
  • Charles Kynard – Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui (Beautiful People) (Prestige, 1970)
  • Houston PersonHouston Express (Prestige, 1970)
  • Eddie PalmieriHarlem River Drive (Roulette, 1971)
  • Hank CrawfordIt's a Funky Thing to Do (Cotillion, 1971)
  • Boogaloo Joe Jones – What It Is (Prestige, 1971)
  • Eddie Harris & Les McCannSecond Movement (Atlantic, 1971)
  • David "Fathead" NewmanCaptain Buckles (Cotillion, 1971)
  • Oliver NelsonSwiss Suite (Flying Dutchman, 1971)
  • King CurtisLive at Fillmore West (Atlantic, 1971)
  • Johnny "Hammond" SmithWild Horses Rock Steady (Kudu, 1971)
  • Larry Coryell – Fairyland (Flying Dutchman, 1971)
  • Eddie "Cleanhead" VinsonYou Can't Make Love Alone (Flying Dutchman, 1971)
  • Herbie MannPush Push (Atlantic, 1971)
  • Dizzy GillespieThe Real Thing (Perception, 1971)
  • Gato BarbieriEl Pampero (Flying Dutchman, 1971)
  • Gil Scott-HeronPieces of a Man (Flying Dutchman, 1971)
  • Aretha Franklin - Amazing Grace (Atlantic, 1972)
  • Les McCannInvitation to Openness (Atlantic, 1972)
  • Hank CrawfordHelp Me Make It Through the Night (Kudu, 1972)
  • Aretha FranklinYoung, Gifted and Black (Atlantic, 1972)
  • Hubert LawsWild Flower (Atlantic, 1972)
  • Leon ThomasBlues and the Soulful Truth (Flying Dutchman, 1972)
  • Esther PhillipsAlone Again, Naturally (Kudu, 1972)
  • Miles DavisGet Up with It (Columbia, 1972)
  • Donal Leace – Donal Leace (Atlantic, 1972)
  • Dakota StatonMadame Foo-Foo (Groove Merchant, 1972)
  • Jerry Lynn Williams – Jerry Williams (Spindizzy, 1972)
  • Ronnie FosterSweet Revival (Blue Note, 1972)
  • Hank CrawfordWe Got a Good Thing Going (Kudu, 1972)
  • Roberta Flack & Donny HathawayRoberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (Atlantic, 1972)
  • Esther Phillips – From a Whisper to a Scream (Kudu, 1972)
  • Jackie LomaxThree (Warner Bros., 1972)
  • B.B. KingGuess Who (ABC, 1972)
  • Buddy Terry – Lean on Him (Mainstream, 1973)
  • David "Fathead" NewmanThe Weapon (Atlantic, 1973)
  • Gato BarbieriBolivia (Flying Dutchman, 1973)
  • Leon Thomas – Full Circle (Flying Dutchman, 1973)
  • Richard "Groove" HolmesNight Glider (Groove Merchant, 1973)
  • Garland Jeffreys – Garland Jeffreys (Atlantic, 1973)
  • Lightnin' Rod – Hustlers Convention (Celluloid, 1973)
  • Cat StevensForeigner (A&M, 1973)
  • Hall & OatesAbandoned Luncheonette (Atlantic, 1973)
  • Bette MidlerBette Midler (Atlantic, 1973)
  • Margie Joseph – Margie Joseph (Atlantic, 1973)
  • Jimmy McGriff & Richard "Groove" Holmes – Giants of the Organ Come Together (Groove Merchant, 1973)
  • Richard "Groove" Holmes − New Groove (Groove Merchant, 1974)
  • Robert PalmerSneakin' Sally Through the Alley (Island, 1974)
  • Eric Kaz – Cul-De-Sac (Atlantic, 1974)
  • Gato BarbieriYesterdays (Flying Dutchman, 1974)
  • Aretha FranklinWith Everything I Feel in Me (Atlantic, 1974)
  • Richie HavensMixed Bag II (Verve, 1974)
  • Joe CockerI Can Stand a Little Rain (A&M, 1974)
  • Rusty Bryant – Until It's Time for You to Go (Prestige, 1974)
  • Margie Joseph – Sweet Surrender (Atlantic, 1974)
  • Aretha FranklinLet Me in Your Life (Atlantic, 1974)
  • Tim Moore – Tim Moore (Mooncrest, 1974)
  • Esther Phillips – Performance (Kudu, 1974)
  • Arif MardinJourney (Atlantic, 1974)
  • Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Change Up the Groove (Polydor, 1974)
  • Cornell DupreeTeasin' (Atlantic, 1975)
  • Geoff MuldaurIs Having a Wonderful Time (Reprise, 1975)
  • Todd RundgrenInitiation (Bearsville, 1975)
  • Margie Joseph – Margie (Atlantic, 1975)
  • Joe CockerJamaica Say You Will (A&M, 1975)
  • Roy Ayers Ubiquity - A Tear to a Smile (Polydor, 1975)
  • Jorge Dalto – Chevere (United Artists, 1976)
  • HummingbirdWe Can't Go On Meeting Like This (A&M, 1976)
  • Michael BoltonMichael Bolotin (RCA, 1975)
  • Steely DanThe Royal Scam (ABC, 1976)
  • Steely DanAja (ABC, 1977)
  • HummingbirdDiamond Nights (A&M, 1977)
  • Alfred "Pee Wee" EllisHome in the Country (Savoy, 1977)
  • Joe CockerLuxury You Can Afford (Elektra, 1978)
  • Kate & Anna McGarriglePronto Monto (Warner Bros., 1978)
  • Cheryl LynnCheryl Lynn (Columbia, 1978)
  • Felix PappalardiDon't Worry, Ma (A&M, 1979)
  • Cheryl LynnIn Love (Columbia, 1979)
  • Dizzy GillespieDigital at Montreux, 1980 (Pablo, 1980)
  • Steely DanGaucho (MCA, 1980)
  • Al Johnson – Back for More (Columbia, 1980)
  • Aretha FranklinAretha (Arista, 1980)
  • B.B. KingThere Must Be a Better World Somewhere (MCA, 1981)
  • Houston Person – Heavy Juice (Muse, 1982)
  • Houston Person – Always on My Mind (Muse, 1985)
  • Bob Cunningham – Walking Bass (Nilva [Fr], 1985)
  • Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff – Soul Survivors (Milestone, 1986)
  • Hank CrawfordMr. Chips (Milestone, 1986)
  • Jimmy McGriff – The Starting Five (Milestone, 1987)
  • Flip Phillips & Scott Hamilton – A Sound Investment (Concord, 1987)
  • Jimmy McGriff – Blue to the 'Bone (Milestone, 1988)
  • Hank Crawford – Night Beat (Milestone, 1989)
  • Jimmy McGriff – You Ought to Think About Me (Headfirst, 1990)
  • Hank Crawford – Groove Master (Milestone, 1990)
  • Garland Jeffreys – Don't Call Me Buckwheat (BMG, 1991)
  • Cissy Houston & Chuck JacksonI'll Take Care of You (Shanachie, 1992)
  • Al GreenDon't Look Back (BMG, 1993)
  • Carrie Smith – June Night (Black & Blue, 1993)
  • Laura NyroWalk the Dog and Light the Light (Columbia, 1993)
  • Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers – Jungle Strut (Lexington/West 47th, 1993; reissued as Pucho's Descarga on ¡Andale! in 2014)
  • Carrie Smith – Every Now and Then (Silver Shadow, 1994)
  • Jimmy SmithDamn! (Verve, 1995)
  • Al GreenYour Heart's in Good Hands (MCA, 1995)
  • Houston Person – The Opening Round (Savant, 1997)
  • Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff – Road Tested (Milestone, 1997)
  • Jimmy McGriff – The Dream Team (Milestone, 1997)
  • Hank Crawford – After Dark (Milestone, 1998)
  • Jimmy McGriff – Straight Up (Milestone, 1998)
  • Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff – Crunch Time (Milestone, 1999)
  • Leslie WestAs Phat as it Gets (Mystic, 1999)
  • Jimmy McGriff – McGriff's House Party (Milestone, 2000)
  • The Hitman Blues Band - Blooztown (Nerus, 2000]
  • Reuben WilsonOrgan Blues (Jazzateria, 2001)
  • Oliver Darley – Introducing Oliver Darley (East West, 2001)[22]
  • Jimmy McGriff – McGriff Avenue (Milestone, 2002)
  • Elliott RandallStill Reelin' [EP] (Private Collection Records, 2007)
  • Larry CoryellEarthquake at the Avalon, (Inakustik, 2009)[23]
  • HairBroadway Cast Recording (Ghostlight/Razor & Tie, 2009)
  • Chihiro Yamanaka – Reminiscence (Verve, 2011)
  • Mick Taylor – 'East Coast Tour Appearances' (2012)
  • Vulfpeck – 'Various Tour Appearances' (2016)
  • Eddie PalmieriSabiduria (Wisdom) (Ropeadope, 2017)
  • George Freeman–Mike Allemana Organ Quartet with special guest: Bernard Purdie – Live at the Green Mill (Ears & Eyes, 2017)
  • Gonzalo Aloras – Nuestra Canción (2020)
  • VulfpeckThe Joy of Music, the Job of Real Estate (Vulf, 2020)

References

  1. Feather, Leonard & Gitler, Ira (1999). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Oxford University Press US. p. 541. ISBN 978-0-19-507418-5.
  2. Wynn, Ron. "Bernard Purdie". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  3. Hyatt, Greg & Mitchell, Stan. Get Locked. Alfred Publishing. p. 95.
  4. "Modern Drummer's Readers Poll Archive, 1979–2014". Modern Drummer. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. "Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Artist Profile". bernardprettypurdie.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  6. Payne, Jim & Weinger, Harry. The Great Drummers of R&B Funk & Soul. Oxford University Press US. pp. 143–145.
  7. Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicians: Biography. Archived 2011-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  8. "James Brown credits". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  9. Unterberger, Richie. "Say It Loud-I'm Black and I'm Proud". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  10. Elias, Jason. "Get On The Good Foot". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  11. "Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Artist Profile". Bernardpurdie.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  12. "Bernard "Pretty" Purdie credits". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  13. "Rock Steady". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  14. BWW News desk. "Hair Broadway Cast Recording With Never Before Released Tracks Hits Stores". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  15. "Five Towns College 42nd Commencement Exercises May 21, 2016". www.ftc.edu. 23 May 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  16. Jordan, Chris. "Drummer Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie has kept the time to your life", Asbury Park Press, October 4, 2013. Accessed October 5, 2013. "Purdie eventually moved to Jersey — Teaneck and Edison before settling in Springfield."
  17. Allmusic Brown N Serve review
  18. Michalkow, Mike (2008). The Total Rock Drummer, p.64. ISBN 0-7390-5268-3.
  19. Berry and Giani (2003). The Drummer's Bible, p.35. ISBN 1-884365-32-9.
  20. Segal, David (2009-03-30). "A Signature Shuffle Enjoys a New Life". The New York Times.
  21. Mason, Stuart. "Babylon Sisters". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  22. "Oliver Darley Stirring Souls in U.K." Billboard, at Google Books. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  23. "Earthquake at the Avalon – Larry Coryell – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 April 2017.

Bibliography

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  • Gottfridsson, Hans Olof; Sheridan, Tony and Beatles. The Beatles from Cavern to Star-Club: The Illustrated Chronicle, Discography & Price Guide 1957–1962. Premium Publishing (1997). ISBN 978-91-971894-7-7
  • Kernfeld, Barry Dean. The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz second edition. Grove's Dictionaries Inc. (2002). Digitized 21 Dec (2006). ISBN 978-1-56159-284-5
  • Miles, Barry, and Badman, Keith. The Beatles Diary: The Beatles years. Omnibus Press (2001) ISBN 978-0-7119-8308-3
  • Payne, Jim and Weinger, Harry. The Great Drummers of R&B Funk & Soul. Mel Bay Publications (2007). ISBN 978-0-7866-7303-2
  • Rabb, Johnny; Brych, Ray and Lohman, Gregg. Jungle/Drum 'n' Bass for the Acoustic Drum Set: A Guide to Applying Today's Electronic Music to the Drum Set. Alfred Publishing (2001). ISBN 0-7579-9025-8
  • Weinberg, Max. The Big Beat: Conversations with Rock's Greatest Drummers. Hal Leonard Corporation (2004). ISBN 978-0-634-08275-7
  • York, William. Who's Who in Rock Music+. Atomic Press (1978). Digitized 30 Aug 2007.
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