Drummer David Garibaldi – My Most Important Beat

David Garibaldi has played with artists like Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, Larry Carlton, Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum, Boz Scaggs, and The Yellowjackets, but it’s his place as drummer for powerhouse horn band Tower of Power that most people know him for. David credits much of his success to what’s known in drumming circles as the “King Kong” beat. He’s since gone on to refine it and add some latin elements, but still believes that knowing this beat is a major reason for his success.

In the video below, David outlines the syncopated beat in a way that everyone can see exactly what he’s doing. This is great for drum programmers, by the way. If you can capture the nuances of David’s playing, you’re a long way on the path to realism.