BIOGRAPHY

Colin Bailey

Colin Bailey, born Colin James Bailey on July 9, 1934 in Swindon, England, is British-American jazz drummer, author and educator.

Learning to play the drums as a young child, Colin Bailey began formal studies at the age of seven.

Bailey lived in Australia (1958 through early 1960s) playing with Bryce Rohde and the Australian Jazz Quartet (AJQ). While touring with AJQ in the United States, Bailey was hired by jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi, and played alongside Jimmy Witherspoon and Ben Webster until 1963. You can hear Colin Bailey's drumming, performing with Vince Guaraldi, on many the animated Charlie Brown specials.

Having settled in California, Bailey began working with the likes of Clare Fischer (1962–64), Victor Feldman (1964), Winifred Atwell, Joe Pass (1963–64), and Miles Davis (1963). He toured worldwide with Benny Goodman in 1964-65, played on a television program with Terry Gibbs, and toured with George Shearing in 1966-67. He also spent time with Chet Baker, Ray Brown, João Gilberto, and Blossom Dearie (1975).

In 1970, Bailey became an American citizen. He spent six years as Ed Shaughnessy's backup in The Tonight Show Band, and starred in Fernwood Tonight in a drumming role in 1977-78. After moving to Texas in 1979, he became a faculty member at North Texas State University from 1981-84. His later work includes time with Richie Cole, Jimmy Rowles, Red Mitchell, Stefan Scaggiari, Joe Pass again, Ron Affif, John Pisano, and Weslia Whitfield.

Colin Bailey's educational materials include three books: Drum Solos: The Art of Phrasing, Bass Drum Control (Book with Online Audio), Bass Drum Control Solos, and a DVD, Bass Drum Technique.