25 Great Moments in Rock Drumming: Steve Gadd, “Aja”

25 Great Moments in Rock Drumming – Day 16: Steve Gadd, “Aja,” from Aja by Steely Dan

Steely Dan’s Aja was well represented on the airwaves, including the title track, notable for its extended drum breaks. Throughout, Steve Gadd plays like an impressionist painter, applying a splash of this and a dab off that to bring the whole picture together, though it’s never quite finished. This is drumming taken to an incredible level, displaying the highest caliber of musicianship.