A different drummer
For Danny Gross, the beat goes on
KEEP SAFE'
by Richard Eisler
Danny Gross studies by day at
Briarcliff High School and at night
in various restaurants and lounges
throughout Atlanta. He is intent
on learning all a young
percussionist can know about
rhythm by performing with
professional jazz bands.
Fourteen-year-old Danny, the
son of Dr. Peter and Arlene Gross
of Atlanta, began playing snare
drum five years ago; today, the
Gross's basement is stocked with
several kettledrums, a xylophone,
marimba, drum set, and
vibraphone. A member of the 1978
Georgia All-State Orchestra, he
has also played with the Emory
and DeKalb College summer
orchestras and with his school’s
symphonic and jazz bands. He was
one of the winners of the Atlanta
Jewish Community Center’s
“Music in Our Schools Contest,”
which earned him the opportunity
of performing in recital on WABE-
FM
Although he has a classical
music background, Danny is
presently concentrating on
developing proficiency in jazz. He
has always been interested in
rhythms and the unique challenge
it presents the percussionist. “It’s
an accomplishment for me to%et a
tricky rhythm and get it right," he
proudly asserts.
His dexterity with various types
of percussion, including such
specialized instruments as African
talking drums, horses hoofs, and
Chinese bells, has enabled him to
play alongside professional jazz
musicians. He has played conga
drums with the Patti Mitchell
Trio and Jerry Farber’s group, and
the drum set with other local
musicians. Sometimes he receives
a salary for his night’s work; most
of the time, however, Dannv
simply sits in on a session oecauK he
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Danny concentrates on a difficult rhythm.
believes “any job I get I can learn
more.”
Danny has not decided whether
to pursue a career as a professional
percussionist. Although he has
learned that jobs for jazz musicians
are “sacred” because of the
immense popularity of rock and
disco groups, he does not envision
his enthusiasm for jazz will ever
wane. “In rock music you’re tied
down to one rhythm. But in jazz
you’re freer. And you have to listen
to what others are playing,” he
says.
Danny's daily practicing
apparently disturbs neither the
neighbors nor his family, which
includes his brother, Lon and sister,
Laurie. His parents and siblings
are all music enthusiasts and they
are especially supportive of Danny
who says they view his talents as a
“blessing.” While he delights in all
the attention at home and in the
skeptical faces of patrons who at
first question whether he can
manage the unwiedly congas,
Danny is content even without an
audience. “I just play for myself,"
he says.
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Page 17 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE July 13, 1979
