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Darrell Green



About the Artist

Bands performed with: Russell Malone, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Wallace Roney, Sherman Irby, Antoine Roney, Pharoah Sanders, Buster Williams, Steve Turre, Faye Carol, Darren Barrett, Myron Waldon, Meklit Hadero, Marlena Shaw, Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Jeremy Pelt, James Hurt, James Zollar, Brad Leali, Jesse Davis, David Weiss, JD Allen, Stefon Harris, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dayna Stephens, Howard Wiley

Current setup:
Gretsch 16x18 BD, 16x16 FT, 16x14 FT, 9x13 TT, 8x12 TT, 6.5x14 SD

We asked... Why Gretsch?

As a young child I grew up loving the sound of Gretsch drums. Even though I was playing other kits, subconsciously I was always trying to make them sound like Gretsch drums by changing the heads, hoops or whatever I felt needed to be done to get the sound I was hearing. Gretsch is the sound that I hear and prefer. They really sing, and have such a full beautiful warm round sound. They inspire me every time I sit down to play them. I have no choice but to play them, they just sound so good!

Recordings you’ve played on

To name a few, Howard Wiley -Twenty First Century Negro (2002), Sista Kee - REPRESENT (2006), Rhonda Benin - A Matter Of The Heart (2006), Julian Waterfall Pollack Trio - "Goin' For It" (2006), Faye Carol - Faye Sings Lady Day (2008), Marco Marzola - A Jazz Christmas Celebration featuring Steve Turre & Sherman Irby (2008), Faye Carol - Carolizing Christmas (2009), Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers - Miss Smith to You (2009), Sherman Irby - Live At The Otto Club (2010), Clifford Lamb - One (2011), Hal Weary - "We Prayed with Our Feet" (2011), Stan Killian - Unified (2011)

Influences

I’m influenced by many drummers such as Papa Jo Jones, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, Max Roach, Billy Higgins, Gerald Walker, Louis Hayes, Philly Jo Jones and so many more. I’m also heavily influenced by non drummers like Lester Young, Faye Carol, Bill Stewart (saxophonist), Antoine Roney, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Miles Davis, Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix, Parliament Funkadelic, James Brown and the list goes on.

Advice

Follow your heart and play from your heart. Never stop learning, searching and growing. Remember it is a gift to be able play, so cherish your gift, nurture it and be diligent in your growth as a musician and as an individual.

Gretsch USA Custom

Hand-crafted every step of the way

The epitome and legend of "That Great Gretsch Sound." The USA Custom series is hand-crafted every step of the way in our Ridgeland, SC factory by highly experienced and skilled drumsmiths. Our legendary Gretsch formula 6-ply shell is the cornerstone of our legendary sound. Shells are completed with 30-degree bearing edges, Silver Sealer, die-cast hoops and custom finishes - ingredients all combined to make a sound long recognized for its classic clear timbre, balanced tone and explosive projection. Custom design your Gretsch dream kit "a la cart" by choosing your desired drum sizes, colors and hardware options. The Gretsch legend continues.

The NEW Gretsch USA Custom Order Guide will explain the many options that are available to help you design a drum set that matches your individual voice as a drummer.

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Catalina Maple

Carefully developed to produce tones that explode a balanced amount of warm low end frequencies

The Catalina Maple series starts with the Gretsch maple formula shell. We carefully developed the maple shell specification to produce tones that explode with attack and volume and project a balanced amount of warm, low-end frequencies. All Catalina Maple shells are 7-ply, 7.2mm.

The Catalina Maples are available in two configurations - a 6-piece shell pack set and a 5-piece shell pack set. Add-on drums are also available to allow for further drum set expansion.

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