Freddie Gruber
Freddie Gruber was a jazz drummer and teacher to a number of professional drummers.
Gruber grew up in the nascent New York City bebop scene. Although he started his performance career as a tap dancer, by the mid-1940s while still in his teens he had toured as a drummer with Rudy Vallée and played with Harry Gibson. In 1949 Gruber began playing with Charlie Parker among many others.
After fighting his own heroin addiction, Gruber left New York City shortly after Parker's death in 1955. He settled in Los Angeles in 1957 after a stint in Las Vegas, where he continued working as a professional jazz drummer. Gruber began teaching drums in the mid-1960s at a Los Angeles music store owned by vibraphonist Terry Gibbs.
Gruber's student list includes Vinnie Colaiuta, Neil Peart, Steve Smith, Dave Weckl, and Bruce Becker.
,and Freddie's last student before he died Paul Goldberg. Gruber was an instructor and mentor at the
On January 15, 2011, Gruber was honored at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, with a lifetime achievement award for educational excellence throughout his career. The large framed award featured a classic photo of legendary jazz drummers: Buddy Rich, Jo Jones, and Gruber himself. Under the photo was a plaque and a cymbal that was signed by Armand Zildjian's children.
Gruber's former drum student, Neil Peart of Rush, lauded Gruber in his literary and tutorial work. Peart authored a biographical obituary tribute which was posted to the Hudson Music website and to Gruber's own web site.
