Jazz sheet music, books, recommended listening

[Jameson]

Hey guys. Recently I've been getting more serious with my drumming. With my long-term goal (I'm 15, sophmore in high school) set for attending Berklee, I really feel my progress must be hurried along.

My question, therefore, is this:
Does anyone have any recommended listening? I've been listening to a lot of Steely Dan, Miles Davis, and Pat Metheny recently. Some Michael Brecker too. I'm really interested in more Jazz musicians; can anyone help me out?

Also, my sight-reading isn't very good as of right now. I've been working on it for close to an hour each day with stuff from Berkleeshares.com (and anything else I can find), but are there any books (mainly books with grooves and rhythms, I have Stick Control and Syncopation) or downloadable sheets that can help me with an overall look at drumset-based reading? Jason, if you read this and I don't talk to you before, what was that one funk book you suggested? I forgot to write it down!

Thanks a ton guys, sorry for the novel.

[stefan_vortex]

It's cool that u are interested in jazz music at this age-it is a kind of music that develops your musicality and feel a lot. I would say Jim Chapin's Advanced tecniques is a great book, and since u have stick control i believe the next step is getting the 150 solos by Chas Wilcoxon-it is also for snare, but employs the rudiments in a musical way and was written for jazz drummers...a cool exercise for getting the swing feel is to swing the patterns in the snare drum books, then put a hihat pulse on 2 and 4 in 4/4 pattens and on 2 or on 2 and 3 in triple feel patterns and finally if u feel comfortable with the groove add the bass drum playing quarter notes for instance...
Alicia Keys hum..? are u sure man?! :)

[ataraxia]

I've heard John Riley's books are good. I think some of the columns he does in MD are interesting as well.

[stefan_vortex]

I've heard John Riley's books are good. I think some of the columns he does in MD are interesting as well.
Is this a good answer to your question mr Buddow?? :D

[Jameson]

Thanks again, guys. I'm looking into the stuff you guys recommended, and finding some awesome music.

Is there a program used to transcribe music, or do you guys just do it by hand?

[stefan_vortex]

Is there a program used to transcribe music, or do you guys just do it by hand?
well there are plenty of programs with which u can slow a tune down-i use wavelab..

[drummaman1]

Thanks again, guys. I'm looking into the stuff you guys recommended, and finding some awesome music.

Is there a program used to transcribe music, or do you guys just do it by hand?

thats how you transcribe music...by hand...actually it's by ear written down by hand.
For the writing, you could use Sibelius or Finale. Staff paper, pencils and a BIG eraser (you'll be making a LOT of mistakes) is all you need. Oh yeah, and the recording with a CD player.

There are things you can use to slow down "the tape"...but in my view, that's for wusses!!! :p :p j/k. There is an auto tune thingy that can slow it down to half speed but keep it in its range. That would work.

[stefan_vortex]

There are things you can use to slow down "the tape"...but in my view, that's for wusses!!! .
:D i thought so until one day SLAM one of the guitarist comes and says "man i found necrophagist's Diminished to b tab, so learn it!" hahaha bthen the all mighty wavelab becomes handy... :D :D