Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, Morello began studying violin at age six, and three years later was featured with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as soloist in the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. By age 15 he had switched to drums, first studying with a show drummer named Joe Sefcik and then studying with the legendary George Lawrence Stone. "I'd work out of his book, Stick Control, and after I could play the sticking patterns I'd start throwing in accents in various places," Morello recalls. Stone was so impressed with Morello's ideas that he incorporated them into his next book, Accents & Rebounds, which is dedicated to Morello. Later, Morello studied with Radio City Music Hall percussionist Billy Gladstone, one of the most technically advanced drummers of all time.
"My training was basically classical snare drum technique," Morello says. "But I used it the way I wanted to. The objective of a good teacher is to bring out the creativity of the pupil. Some teachers insist that a student play a certain style. Let the students be themselves and\ develop their talent. Give them a knowledge of the instrument; once they have that, they can use it the way they want to use it."
After moving to New York City, Morello worked with an impressive list of jazz musicians including Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow, Phil Woods and Stan Kenton. While working with Marian McPartland at the Hickory House, Morello's technical feats attracted the attention of a legion of drummers, who would crowd around him at a back table during intermissions to watch him work out with a pair of sticks on a folded napkin. Jim Chapin tells stories about unsuspecting drummers who would try to impress Morello by showing off their fancy licks. Morello would listen intently, then say, "Is this what you're doing?" as he'd play their licks back at them twice as fast.
After a period playing in McPartland's trio, Morello declined invitations to join both Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey's band, favoring a temporary two-month tour with the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1955. However, Morello remained to play with Brubeck for well over a decade, only departing in 1968. His 12-year stint with Brubeck made Morello a household name in the jazz (and drumming) world, and on the quartet's recording of "Take Five" he performed one of the most famous drum solos in jazz history. "When people use the word ‘technique,' they usually mean ‘speed,'" Morello says, commenting on the solo. "But the ‘Take Five' solo had very little speed involved. It was more about space and playing over the barline. It was conspicuous by being so different."
After leaving Brubeck in 1968 Morello became an in-demand clinician, teacher and bandleader. He has appeared on over 120 albums, the latest of which is his own Going Places, released last year (1993) on DMP. He has written several drum books, including Master Studies, published by Modern Drummer Publications, and has done an instructional video for Hot Licks titled The Natural Approach to Technique. Morello has won countless music polls over the years, and was elected to the Modern Drummer magazine Hall of Fame in 1988.
Morello says that the secret to technique is relaxation. "It's a matter of natural body movement," he explains. "When your hand is relaxed, your thumb isn't squeezing against your first finger and your wrist isn't at some funny angle. The stick just rests in the hand in a very natural position. When you strike a practice pad, you should be able to hear the ring of the wood stick. The average person chokes the stick, and that comes through on the drum. The whole thing is relaxation and letting the sticks do most of the work.
"Technique is only a means to an end," Morello stresses. "The more control you have of the instrument, the more confidence you will get and the more you will be able to express your ideas. But just for technique alone - just to see how fast you can play so you can machine-gun everybody to death - that doesn't make any sense. Technique is only good if you can use it musically."
Throughout his career, Joe Morello has embodied that ideal to the fullest, achieving renown for both his technique and his musicality, and inspiring generations of players through the example he has set of always striving for excellence.
"I'm sure there are people who disagree with my playing," he says, "and there are some who think I'm the greatest thing that ever happened. That's what is so great about this art form. It would be awfully boring if everyone played the same. You would only have to own one record.
"I've heard people say, ‘This drummer swings more than that one.' I think ‘swing' and ‘feel' are individual things. There is not just one way to swing. It's a feeling that comes from within that you project through the drums.
"I'm not the end-all and know-all of the drums. There's a lot out there I don't know, but I'm trying to do the best I can. The main thing is to be original."
Take Five
Joe Morello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little time out with me
Just take five
Stop your busy day
And take the time out
To see if I'm alive
Though I'm going out of my way
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five
The lyrics to Joe Morello's song Take Five tell a story of a protagonist looking for a connection with someone they see every day but have never spoken to. The singer is asking the person to take a break from their busy day and take five minutes to acknowledge each other's presence. The singer notes that despite passing by each other every day, they have never spoken, and their interactions have been more like a silent theater performance than a conversation between two people. However, the singer feels a strong physical reaction to the person and wishes that they would break the politeness and start a conversation.
The song's lyrics capture the feeling of longing and missed connections that many people can relate to. The singer is reaching out to someone they want to connect with but is unsure how to make the first move. The lyrics suggest that sometimes, taking a break from the busyness of life and connecting with others can lead to meaningful interactions.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you stop and take
Could we please pause and spend some time together
A little time out with me
Spend some precious moments with me
Just take five
Just give me five minutes of your valuable time
Stop your busy day
Take a break from your packed schedule
And take the time out
Give yourself the luxury of time
To see if I'm alive
To notice and acknowledge my existence
Though I'm going out of my way
Despite making extra efforts
Just so I can pass by each day
Every day I try to be in your presence
Not a single word do we say
We both remain silent
It's a pantomime and not a play
Our interaction is just an act, without any real substance
Still, I know our eyes often meet
Our gazes frequently cross paths
I feel tingles down to my feet
I experience a quick but intense physical reaction
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Your smile is too subtle, and I wish it were more obvious
Sends me on my way
It propels me to continue on my path
Wouldn't it be better
Isn't it a better idea
Not to be so polite
To not be overly courteous
You could offer a light
You could light my way
Start a little conversation now
Let's engage in a brief dialogue
It's alright, just take five
It's completely fine, just give me a little time
Just take five
Just five short minutes
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
retort63
My friend Mike and I were drummers in high school in the early 60’s, and Joe Morello was our idol. We went to a Dave Brubeck concert one summer night. The show was magical and inspirational. After the show, the group stayed on stage for a meet-and-greet with the fans. We met Joe, who was very friendly and approachable. He let us check out his kit, and he even gave us some pointers on stick technique. It was something I’ll never forget. God Bless Joe Morello!
Magda Monsivais
Very lucky guys, I wish I had been there.
FlatlandMando
Lucky guys to have a fine memory of a lifetime event like that
Sameer Khan
Share the tip mate! Make a video!!!!
Bob Sacamano
I love how Brubeck always kicks back during the Morello's solos and just watches him in awe. You can see him shake his head in amazement as if he is thinking "This guy is incredible!"
john sullivan
To say it yet again " a drummer's drummer." One of the very few drummers who knew how to construct a musical solo that also displayed phenomenal technique.
Music Music
spot on john, in my opinion, his musical mind was the best of that era on the drum kit, he had the perfect mix of chops, technique, what really strikes me with joe though is control, he doesnt let the solo get out of hand, has great sync between snare, bass drum, he was really a drummer in his own league.
Brian Kantor
+john sullivan An everybody's drummer!
Music Music
Joe's snare work is monsterous, you can really hear the accents pierce through the entire kit, its really impressive, i cant say enough good about this guy, brilliant drummer, and when you hear him talk hes so humble and grateful, the qualities of a champion!
MajorRoe
LOL 2:15 "Hang on, I was jamming too hard there, let me readjust my drums real quick while I simultaneously keep the beat going" Joe Morello, you are my hero.