I took lessons from Joe for six years. He said that before every gig w/Peter, he would practice for four hours, with one hour just on his bass drum. He said Peter would routinely open up the shows with blistering fast tempos. Joe played his Patterns and Rudiments books at four tempos, Slow, Medium, Fast and Up. When he kicked in the Up tempos on the crossovers, you did not see his hands. I would prepare one or two of the exercises for hours and bring it up there (from MD) to show off my "Fast" tempo. I would do them in 4, 8, and 12 bar sets per his requirements and I had them down cold. They were fast af. But then Joe would say, "let me sit down", and kind of smile as he sat down and showed off his book patterns he developed in Hazelwood, PA for years. He would easily blow me away on his new Slingerlands, taking my "Fast" tempo I was so proud of up another 30% in speed to "Up". Yes, Joe's brushwork was impeccable, extremely crisp, impossibly fast and sweet, with many, many lush permutations for ballad work. I would say his brushwork was on the level of Ed Thigpen's or Buddy's; extremely high level; as strong as anyone's. Side note: it may sound odd, but when I saw Joe man his Modern Drum Shop (in our first two years together in the old location, the store had a different name and he would pause the lesson to sell a drum supply, like a drum head or odd part) I always noticed when he took money out of the register or manned receipts, his hands seemed so graceful in terms of touch - the way he would take money out of the register. It was weird. His hands were so delicate in terms of touch when he opened a book or manipulated papers. Joe told me he could have been the best surgeon in the world with all the hours he spent developing his hands.
When I was studying with Ed Shaughnessy,I had one lesson with Joe.Ed was late, and Joe's door was open.He said ''Come on in'' A generous and awesome guy...
Thank you for posting this. I recently learned that Joe is my grandfather's cousin and I have enjoyed finding videos of him since. My grandfather used to say that his cousin was a drummer who could keep up with Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa and was terribly underrated. I sort of wrote all that off as an exaggerated story, just a complement to his cousin's skill. It's been fascinating to find out that I was wrong.
awesome
Very nice rendition. Mr Nero was a fantastic pianist, playing with such ease. Health and wisdom to all, Erik the Netherlands.
Cusatis’ brush work is beautiful.
Happening!
Love the double time feel in the middle of the song.
I took lessons from Joe for six years. He said that before every gig w/Peter, he would practice for four hours, with one hour just on his bass drum. He said Peter would routinely open up the shows with blistering fast tempos. Joe played his Patterns and Rudiments books at four tempos, Slow, Medium, Fast and Up. When he kicked in the Up tempos on the crossovers, you did not see his hands. I would prepare one or two of the exercises for hours and bring it up there (from MD) to show off my "Fast" tempo. I would do them in 4, 8, and 12 bar sets per his requirements and I had them down cold. They were fast af. But then Joe would say, "let me sit down", and kind of smile as he sat down and showed off his book patterns he developed in Hazelwood, PA for years. He would easily blow me away on his new Slingerlands, taking my "Fast" tempo I was so proud of up another 30% in speed to "Up". Yes, Joe's brushwork was impeccable, extremely crisp, impossibly fast and sweet, with many, many lush permutations for ballad work. I would say his brushwork was on the level of Ed Thigpen's or Buddy's; extremely high level; as strong as anyone's. Side note: it may sound odd, but when I saw Joe man his Modern Drum Shop (in our first two years together in the old location, the store had a different name and he would pause the lesson to sell a drum supply, like a drum head or odd part) I always noticed when he took money out of the register or manned receipts, his hands seemed so graceful in terms of touch - the way he would take money out of the register. It was weird. His hands were so delicate in terms of touch when he opened a book or manipulated papers. Joe told me he could have been the best surgeon in the world with all the hours he spent developing his hands.
Hi Kim. I read your comments to Joe and he said to say hello to you and Happy New Year! Joe is an incredible drummer and teacher.
@@TomMendoladrums Thank you for doing that Tom. I owe most of my drumming pleasure and fondest memories to Joe.
When I was studying with Ed Shaughnessy,I had one lesson with Joe.Ed was late, and Joe's door was open.He said ''Come on in'' A generous and awesome guy...
Spectacular !! 🍺 😎 👍 🔥🔥🔥
Thank you for posting this. I recently learned that Joe is my grandfather's cousin and I have enjoyed finding videos of him since. My grandfather used to say that his cousin was a drummer who could keep up with Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa and was terribly underrated. I sort of wrote all that off as an exaggerated story, just a complement to his cousin's skill. It's been fascinating to find out that I was wrong.
Joe is in amazing teacher as well as a drummer. Thanks for watching I will tell him.
Geez Tom, where did you find THIS one??? :O
Right here on TH-cam. I wish there was more footage of Joe.