“Smith vs. Smith:“ Steve Smith Battle

The beginning of this “drum battle“ with myself was inspired by the album “Rich versus Roach.“ In my early teens, I’d listen to the album over and over and tried my best to play like Buddy and Max. As the drum battle starts, on the left side I’m playing in the intense, snare-drum-chops-oriented style of Buddy Rich. On the right side, I’m playing in the be-bop-melodic-lyrical style of Max Roach. As the duet progresses, I’m going for it on both sides and I end by playing some South Indian rhythmic compositions in unison. Having a drum battle/duet with myself was a fun way to conclude the Hudson Music “Drum Legacy: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants“ project. Check it out: