Freddie Gruber

{{Short description|American drummer (1927–2011)}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Freddie Gruber

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| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist

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| birth_date = {{birth date|1927|05|27}}

| birth_place = The Bronx, New York{{cite web|url=http://www.hudsonmusic.com/hudson/3251/news/in-memoriam-freddie-gruber|title=In Memoriam: Freddie Gruber|publisher=hudsonmusic.com|last=Peart|first=Neil|access-date=April 29, 2025|archive-date=August 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816004357/https://hudsonmusic.com/hudson/3251/news/in-memoriam-freddie-gruber|url-status=dead}}

| origin = New York City

| death_date = {{death date and age|2011|10|11|1927|05|27}}

| death_place = Los Angeles, CaliforniaTamarkin, Jeff. [http://jazztimes.com/articles/28721-drummer-freddie-gruber-dies-at-84 "Drummer Freddie Gruber Dies at 84"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214093101/http://jazztimes.com/articles/28721-drummer-freddie-gruber-dies-at-84 |date=December 14, 2014 }}, JazzTimes, October 19, 2011. (accessed 13 December 2014)

| genre = Jazz

| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|teacher}}

| instrument = Drums

| years_active = c. 1946–2011

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| website = {{URL|http://freddiegruber.com|Official web site}}

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{{use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}

Freddie Gruber (May 27, 1927 – October 11, 2011) was an American jazz drummer and teacher to a number of professional drummers.Chamberlain, Rich. [http://www.musicradar.com/rhythm/freddie-gruber-dies-aged-84-505560 "Freddie Gruber dies aged 84"], Rhythm MagazineMilkowski, Bill. [http://jazztimes.com/articles/15079-freddie-gruber-none-of-a-kind "Freddie Gruber: None of a Kind"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220222134/http://jazztimes.com/articles/15079-freddie-gruber-none-of-a-kind |date=December 20, 2016 }}, JazzTimes, November 2004. (accessed 13 December 2014)[http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Freddie_Gruber.html "Freddie Gruber"], Drummerworld

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, Eddie Rubin, Neil Peart,[http://www.neilpeart.net/news/november_08.html ""NEWS, WEATHER, and SPORTS: November, 2008 - The Drums Of October"] NeilPeart.netStav, Steve. [http://www.ink19.com/issues/july2005/interviews/interviews/carrieNuttall.html "Percussion, photography cross paths in Rhythm & Light - Carrie Nuttall a.k.a. Mrs. Neil Peart"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214091916/http://www.ink19.com/issues/july2005/interviews/interviews/carrieNuttall.html |date=December 14, 2014 }} Ink 19 MagazineIwasaki, Scott. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100713235001/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600141920/Photos-dramatize-Rhythm-and-Light.html "Photos dramatize 'Rhythm and Light'"], Deseret News Steve Smith,{{cite web|title =Borne of the elements: December 2003|publisher=All About Jazz|first=Gregory|last=Robb|url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=770|date=2003-11-01|accessdate =2010-08-04}} Dave Weckl, Bruce Becker,Hood, Phil. [http://www.drummagazine.com/features/post/a-conversation-with-freddie-gruber "A Conversation With Freddie Gruber"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014204159/http://www.drummagazine.com/features/post/a-conversation-with-freddie-gruber |date=October 14, 2011}}

Drum Magazine. Joey Waronker,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy99hClon7E "OTR Vol. 2 - Joey Waronker" on YouTube] Ross Garfield, and his last student before he died, Paul Goldberg. Gruber was an instructor and mentor at the Drum Channel Studio.[http://www.drumchannel.com/articles/20100922_6 "DC LIVE with Freddie Gruber and Former Students"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103111747/http://www.drumchannel.com/articles/20100922_6 |date=November 3, 2011 }}, Drum Channel

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.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/51632941@N02/5369809167/in/set-72157625860966042 2011 "Lifetime Achievement Award for Education from Zildjian"], Zildjian Company Flickr Group The large framed award featured a classic photo of legendary jazz drummers: Buddy Rich,Dolbear, Mike. [http://mikedolbear.co.uk/story.asp?StoryID=2575 "Interview with Daniel Glass"],MikeDolBear Official Website Jo Jones (known as Papa Jo Jones in his later years), and Gruber himself. Under the photo was a plaque and a cymbal that was signed by Armand Zildjian's children.DeChristopher, John. [http://zildjian.com/News-Events/2011/10/Zildjian-Remembers-Freddie-Gruber "Zildjian family remembers Freddie Gruber"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015183000/http://zildjian.com/News-Events/2011/10/Zildjian-Remembers-Freddie-Gruber |date=October 15, 2011 }}, Zildjian Later in October 2011 Gruber died from illness.

Gruber's former drum student, Neil Peart of Rush, lauded Gruber in his literary and tutorial work.{{cite AV media | title=A Work in Progress | first=Neil | last=Peart | publisher=Warner Bros. Publications | year=2002 | location=Miami, Florida | series=Warner Bros. Classics | origyear=originally released on VHS in 1996 | isbn= 9780757990298 | url=http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/52762882 | oclc=52762882 | type=DVD video, DVD-ROM with Internet features, 2 booklets | others=produced and directed by Paul Siegel, Rob Wallis ; production, Langa Communications | accessdate=May 23, 2013 }} Peart authored a biographical obituary tribute which was posted to the Hudson Music website and to Gruber's own web site.