Freddie Gruber, American jazz drummer, died he was 84.

Freddie Gruber  was a jazz drummer and teacher to a number of professional drummers.^[1][2][3]

(May 27, 1927 – October 11, 2011)

Gruber grew up in the nascent New York be-bop scene, and played with Charlie Parker, among many others. Gruber's student list includes Vinnie Colaiuta, Neil Peart^[4][5][6], Steve Smith^[7], Dave Weckl and Bruce Becker.^[8] Gruber was an instructor/mentor at the Drum Channel Studio.^[9],
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.^[10] The large framed award featured a classic photo of legendary jazz drummers: Buddy Rich,^[11] 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.^[12]
Gruber's former drum student, Neil Peart (of Rush), provided an obituary tribute which was posted to the Hudson Music website.^[13]


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