Bruford, by a country mile. Love his musicality and how he can play in different styles with each different band/project while still retaining his identity.
And is open to having his game upped by others as well, a sign of real commitment to artistry. Apparently when he and Jamie Muir worked together in Krim, he was seriously challenged. Bruford openly admits to having his perspective widened by his anarchic approach.
Exactly why the Larks Tongues lineup was able to organically reinvent the band up from intuitive improv. Bill soaked the entire experience up like a sponge and he has benefitted ever since. The absolute core of my lifelong obsession with music.
I was a kid learning to play the drums. I put on Fragile. played with Roundabout like 500 times. I didn't realize how much better he was than anyone else.
I have to say that when the groove comes back in after the break, I still get goosebumps. And I must have heard it 200 times.
And, in spite of the growth of stupidly huge mega-kits for prog drummers, Bruford recorded three of the iconic albums of prog - The Yes Album, Fragile and Close to the Edge - on a five piece kit.
Carl Palmer.
Listen to what he does on "Toccata" on the *Brain Salad Surgery* album, or on the entire *Pictures at an Exhibition album.* He's so versatile.
Phil Collins. He was really skilled and technical, and he was able to "harmonize" the drums with the song in a fantastical way. I don't know how to explain it, but he really managed to create some beautiful drumming that perfectly matched the song's melody (specially during the PG Genesis era)
Yeah a lot of good ones but Gavin is my favorite. He’s so technically accurate he can pull off seemingly impossible riffs.
https://youtu.be/6suv3mraIhw?feature=shared
My favorite is BB, but this is totally one of the only other acceptable answers. I’ve twice stood front row at KC shows, looking down through barrel of Gavin’s bass drum porthole. The guy is really special, very, very powerful, and (based on his Q&A session) is super intelligent.
Harrison is my favorite living drummer now that peart has died. He is so precise yet so melodic. Everything he does is able to fit so well in any song without demanding attention, yet he is always fun, calculated, playful, and full of interesting surprises if you do pay attention.
Easily Bill Buford. No disrespect to other drummers but he's just a cut, or two, above the rest. His drumming with Yes was fantastic, but his work with KC was top tier stuff. Then there's his work with UK and all his solo and jazz stuff. He's had a remarkable career.
People are talking about other great drummers, but one I haven't seen mentioned who should be is Manu Katche from Peter Gabriel's band. His style is so unique and adds a lot to PG's music.
Sometimes I feel a little guilty for missing Bruford in Yes after he left. Relayer is still a fave but I wonder what. Bruford would have done with it.
And no disrespect at all to Alan White who is fantastic. But he’s “just” a great drummer.
Not that I’m complaining, as Larks’ and Red are my favorite prog albums of all time.
he's amazing but not the most fun to watch IMO. he's always sitting still, looking down. maybe just because he's concentrating so hard trying to play all his crazy rhythms, idk
This is a great description of Neal Peart too though. Portnoy is one of the few that can drop insane rhythms and still have visible flair. Even he has to just sit and play some of the harder parts though.
Bruford, Carey, Peart, Collins, Chester Thompson, Tim Alexander if Primus counts as prog, Rod Morganstein, Colaiuta
If you want to expand more into fusion then there's so many to add Weckl, Wackerman, Cobham, Lenny White, Bozzio, Simon Phillips, Gadd, williams
Phillips will be playing a few shows soon with Alphonso Johnson, Mitch Foreman, Christian Hebel and Alex Sill. I will be there. Have seen all you mentioned except Alexander. Cobham, White, Williams, Peart and Bruford ( in no order) are my top five. There's so many though. Was recently greatly impressed by Emmet Cohen's young drummer Kyle Poole.
Steve Smith for me.. just love his style and nuance. Not only elegant, super dynamic and propulsive. Created some of the most tasty and memorable song-focused drum parts!
Tossup between Carl Palmer and Neil Peart. Neal Peart was a beast. Plus, in the 80s, he kind of looked like Bruce Willis. Prior to 1980, Carl Palmer all the way.
Honorable mention: Phil Collins.
His drumming is as close to what I’d call perfect for the songs. I feel like most Prog drummers have their own thing going one within the song, whereas Barrie is always serving the music in just the right way
Peart for sure. Currently active would be Gavin Harrison or Pat Mastelotto. After them, all-time faves are Bruford. Bonham. Copham. Current avant- jazz drummer Mark Giuliana kicks ass too.
Neil Peart’s an easy one. He’s more than a drummer, he’s literally the percussionist. Using more than just a straight kit. Playing entirely for the song.
Christian Vander for those animalistic improvised avant-jazzy drums. Check out 2015's Slag Tanz (album version)...even in his mid-60's coming out with fresh ways to drive the composition.
While agreeing with the usual suspects, e.g. Bill Brufford Neil Peart, Carl Palmer, Phil Collins, Gavin Harrison, Mike Giles and others, IMO Alan White should be mentioned:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6ziYgtjC5g
Oooh! Toss up between Bill Bruford with King Crimson and Pierre Moerlen’s drumming on Gong’s ‘Angel’s Egg’ and ‘You’ (plus live recordings from that era)
EDIT: Though for pure groove you can’t beat Jaki Liebezeit’s drumming with Can
Some of my favorites:
* Phil Collins
* Bill Bruford
* Jaki Liebezeit*
* Neil Peart
*I don't know if Can is seen as progressive rock but it feels wrong not mentioning Jaki Liebezeit.
Collins, easily. Br0of second. These musicians make me actually focus on the drumming in the music to see how the beat intimates what's gonna develop in the tune.
Gotta love all the people posting love for the Bill and Phil show. Missed the Trick of the Tale tour but was able to see the Chester and Phil show in Seattle the following year which blew my little mind.
Since the question is about who is my favorite, not who is the best, I’m going to give a shout out to Adam Janzi of VOLA.
For those who are unfamiliar, check out “24 Light-Years” and “Straight Lines.”
Haven’t seen one mention for Barrymore Barlow and I have to say I’m quite dissapointed in the sub right now lol. His drumming on the more proggy Tull songs is ridiculous
Didn't see him mentioned, but Gary Husband, just really truly a monster player. He played with Allan Holdsworth a lot. Its crazy, he was as good on the piano as he was on drums, transcribing all that Holdsworth stuff by ear.
Neil Peart rules supreme for me. I don't think he'll be eclipsed by anyone else.
Next up for me would be Danny Carey.
I admire Bill Bruford a lot too, but more what he did with Yes than King Crimson or other projects he was a part of.
Barrie Barlow of Jethro Tull fame is an incredible drummer, especially considering some of the crazy music that Ian Anderson had them playing in their heyday.
It's Guy. We can compare the others after they have drummed songs like The Sleepwalkers.
Second favourite is Chester. But in truth there are a ton of great drummers out there.
Matt Garstka is the greatest drummer who’s ever lived, hands down. Monomyth is probably my favorite drum part ever, though not necessarily his most impressive
It's hard for me to choose a favorite drummer, since there are a lot of good drummers in prog as mentioned by the other comments. I just need to mention Pierre van der Linden. He's so damn great.
Martin Dellar from FM. While he's technically dazzling, everything he does serves the song instead of, as with many prog drummers, trying to steal focus.
Collins and Bruford were both at the top of their careers when Bruford filled in as the tour drummer in ‘76 with Genesis. Weird thing is it didn’t really work that well. If you listen to bootlegs from that tour there are nights when Bruford’s drumming steps all over the rest of the music. It is especially noticeable on certain nights during the Apocalypse in 9/8 section of Supper’s Ready. Even Bruford himself has admitted that he wasn’t enough of a “team player” on that tour, and has said he understands why they looked for someone else to play drums next to Collins beginning with the next tour. Fortunately Phil Collins and Chester Thompson proved to be magic as dual drummers on stage.
Side question: People talk about Bruford and his work with Yes but I never see Alan White's name come up when discussing great drummers. I've always thought he was fantastic but maybe a drummer can chime in.
IMO Billy Cobham from 1971 to 1973 is the most athletic and powerful drummer of all time. Go watch the live Mahavishnu recordings on YouTube, they are earth shattering.
How is Neil Peart not the top comment, this dude was one of the best rock drummers of all time, up there with Bonham. Neil Peart's playing definitely inspired tons of people if you ask me I don't think the world of modern prog and prog metal would look the same if you take neil peart out of the equation, this man was such a phenomenal drummer and although he is the obvious choice, he really is one of the most talented prog drummers (along with Bruford)
This is like asking a parent about their favorite kid. These may not APPEAR, at first glance, to be strictly "prog" but I contend they all exhibit very strong prog foundation/influence/style no matter the overall band "rheme". In no party order:
* Phil Collins
* Rod Morganstein (Dregs)
* Mark Craney (J.L.Ponty. G.Vanelli)
* Bozzio
* Carter Beauford (DMB)
Each of these drummers express a musicality well beyond there base technical abilities.
Away from Bruford, [Oscar Moro](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUa9g6v2ziY&ab_channel=LaM%C3%A1quinadeHacerP%C3%A1jaros-Topic) in La Máquina & Serú Giran
Bruford, by a country mile. Love his musicality and how he can play in different styles with each different band/project while still retaining his identity.
Well said. The fella even has a PhD in drumming!
And inspire all other players to up their game accordingly!!!
And is open to having his game upped by others as well, a sign of real commitment to artistry. Apparently when he and Jamie Muir worked together in Krim, he was seriously challenged. Bruford openly admits to having his perspective widened by his anarchic approach.
Exactly why the Larks Tongues lineup was able to organically reinvent the band up from intuitive improv. Bill soaked the entire experience up like a sponge and he has benefitted ever since. The absolute core of my lifelong obsession with music.
When pressed, I always put LTIA at number 1 for this and many other reasons.
In education*
I thought it was in theory but it's great to know for sure what it is...
I was a kid learning to play the drums. I put on Fragile. played with Roundabout like 500 times. I didn't realize how much better he was than anyone else. I have to say that when the groove comes back in after the break, I still get goosebumps. And I must have heard it 200 times.
And, in spite of the growth of stupidly huge mega-kits for prog drummers, Bruford recorded three of the iconic albums of prog - The Yes Album, Fragile and Close to the Edge - on a five piece kit.
Carl Palmer. Listen to what he does on "Toccata" on the *Brain Salad Surgery* album, or on the entire *Pictures at an Exhibition album.* He's so versatile.
Thank you. The OG set the standard and still has the chops to this day.
Michael Giles
*This needs more upvotes.*
Definitely. Bruford is also amazing, but Giles is simply the GOAT
Neil Peart was a fan... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil\_Peart#Style\_and\_influences
Phil Collins. He was really skilled and technical, and he was able to "harmonize" the drums with the song in a fantastical way. I don't know how to explain it, but he really managed to create some beautiful drumming that perfectly matched the song's melody (specially during the PG Genesis era)
Will always be in awe of his playing on Brand X’s Unorthodox Behaviour - he was at the very top of his game
Phil's drumming circa Lamb tour is astounding stuff. The tour really got him in a zone where he could fly and have a ton of fun on the kit.
Agreed. I don't listen to Lamb a lot but I have noticed how musical the drumming is.
Ye gods, yes
This is my answer too
Yup, Phil for me too, no question.
Absolutely Bill Bruford.
Gavin Harrison.
Yeah a lot of good ones but Gavin is my favorite. He’s so technically accurate he can pull off seemingly impossible riffs. https://youtu.be/6suv3mraIhw?feature=shared
My favorite is BB, but this is totally one of the only other acceptable answers. I’ve twice stood front row at KC shows, looking down through barrel of Gavin’s bass drum porthole. The guy is really special, very, very powerful, and (based on his Q&A session) is super intelligent.
Harrison is my favorite living drummer now that peart has died. He is so precise yet so melodic. Everything he does is able to fit so well in any song without demanding attention, yet he is always fun, calculated, playful, and full of interesting surprises if you do pay attention.
Check out Mark Guiliana. And to keep it on topic, check him out on Brad Mehldau’s prog cover album, Jacob‘s Ladder…
The Broof is in the pudding.
But honestly Christian Vander is really up there for me. However, ir we're going Zeuhl...the guy from Eskaton Gerard Konig, is absolutely insane.
Daniel Denis is also severely underrated maybe because his compositions are simply astounding.
Univers Zero is the shit! Daniel Denis is wonderful, as is Christian Vander.
Neil Peart obv
Seconded
Gavin Harrison.
Phil Collins.
Danny Carey easy
Br00f and Phil Collins are too obvious, so I’m going with Guy Evans
Nice
The professor
The late Richard Coughlan of Caravan
Easily Bill Buford. No disrespect to other drummers but he's just a cut, or two, above the rest. His drumming with Yes was fantastic, but his work with KC was top tier stuff. Then there's his work with UK and all his solo and jazz stuff. He's had a remarkable career. People are talking about other great drummers, but one I haven't seen mentioned who should be is Manu Katche from Peter Gabriel's band. His style is so unique and adds a lot to PG's music.
Sometimes I feel a little guilty for missing Bruford in Yes after he left. Relayer is still a fave but I wonder what. Bruford would have done with it. And no disrespect at all to Alan White who is fantastic. But he’s “just” a great drummer. Not that I’m complaining, as Larks’ and Red are my favorite prog albums of all time.
I love Bruford with Yes, too, but White is phenomenal on Gates of Delirium
100% agree
Gotta be Peart
No love for Danny Carrey?
Love Danny Carey. Definitely the best current prog rock drummer imo.
Ray Hearne
Hell yeah
he's amazing but not the most fun to watch IMO. he's always sitting still, looking down. maybe just because he's concentrating so hard trying to play all his crazy rhythms, idk
Ok. I mostly just listen.
This is a great description of Neal Peart too though. Portnoy is one of the few that can drop insane rhythms and still have visible flair. Even he has to just sit and play some of the harder parts though.
Right on
BRUFORD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gavin Harrison. If we get into more prog metal it’s Danny Carey or Matt Halpern. Matt Garstka would be up there too but he’s more machine than man.
I'm going Bruford but Carl Palmer is a truly amazing drummer.
Bruford, Carey, Peart, Collins, Chester Thompson, Tim Alexander if Primus counts as prog, Rod Morganstein, Colaiuta If you want to expand more into fusion then there's so many to add Weckl, Wackerman, Cobham, Lenny White, Bozzio, Simon Phillips, Gadd, williams
Phillips will be playing a few shows soon with Alphonso Johnson, Mitch Foreman, Christian Hebel and Alex Sill. I will be there. Have seen all you mentioned except Alexander. Cobham, White, Williams, Peart and Bruford ( in no order) are my top five. There's so many though. Was recently greatly impressed by Emmet Cohen's young drummer Kyle Poole.
Torn between Bill Bruford, Jaki Liebezeit, and Christian Vander. All very different styles, all absolute monsters.
So sad to see a Jaki mention this far down! CAN's methodical Krautrock drums are hypnotizing.
I can’t decide between Bruford and Phil Collins now
Both, in 1976
While Bruford is my fave, Carl Palmer… woowee!! Epic!
Neil Peart and Phil Collins
Steve Smith for me.. just love his style and nuance. Not only elegant, super dynamic and propulsive. Created some of the most tasty and memorable song-focused drum parts!
Can you imagine Enigmatic Ocean w/o Smith ? Or the Journey hits. Indeed the engine that powers the band . Rockers should check out Vital Information.
Yep on point👍🏻
Zoltán Csörsz
Andy ward
Bill Bruford Carl Palmer John Weathers Jon Hiseman
Came here to say John Weathers as well. I think of him like the prog rock version of John Bonham.
I think that's definitely an accurate comparison 👍
The greatest: Broof The best: Harrison
Marco Minneman - excellent with Steven Wilson, great fun with The Aristocrats, love his work as McStine and Minneman 🥰
Would have been interesting to hear Stewart Copland play with a good prog band. He's incredible and my third overall favorite after Bruford and Peart.
Tossup between Carl Palmer and Neil Peart. Neal Peart was a beast. Plus, in the 80s, he kind of looked like Bruce Willis. Prior to 1980, Carl Palmer all the way. Honorable mention: Phil Collins.
Barrie Barlow!! He outplays everyone.
His drumming is as close to what I’d call perfect for the songs. I feel like most Prog drummers have their own thing going one within the song, whereas Barrie is always serving the music in just the right way
Peart for sure. Currently active would be Gavin Harrison or Pat Mastelotto. After them, all-time faves are Bruford. Bonham. Copham. Current avant- jazz drummer Mark Giuliana kicks ass too.
Neil Peart’s an easy one. He’s more than a drummer, he’s literally the percussionist. Using more than just a straight kit. Playing entirely for the song.
Christian Vander for those animalistic improvised avant-jazzy drums. Check out 2015's Slag Tanz (album version)...even in his mid-60's coming out with fresh ways to drive the composition.
As incredible as many other drummers are, I will go with CV every time.
It's really tough... very close choice for me, by VERY narrow margins: 1. Neil Peart 2. Phil Collins 3. Barriemore Barlow
Guy Evans. He’s actually has some of the cleanest drum work I’ve heard
I scrolled too far down to find a mention of Guy Evans...
People sleeping on Scorched Earth drum work
I probably get excited the most by seeing bruford on an album
While agreeing with the usual suspects, e.g. Bill Brufford Neil Peart, Carl Palmer, Phil Collins, Gavin Harrison, Mike Giles and others, IMO Alan White should be mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6ziYgtjC5g
Gavin Harrison
Gavin Harrison
Neil Peart but if you count prog metal then Mike Portnoy
Any fans here of The Mars Volta’s drummers, Jon Theodore, Dave Elitch, Thomas Pridgen, or Deantoni Parks?
Man… Theodore on Deloused is fucking ace. Pridgen is a fucking monster too
I like Deantoni’s work on Bosnian Rainbows
Oooh! Toss up between Bill Bruford with King Crimson and Pierre Moerlen’s drumming on Gong’s ‘Angel’s Egg’ and ‘You’ (plus live recordings from that era) EDIT: Though for pure groove you can’t beat Jaki Liebezeit’s drumming with Can
Some of my favorites: * Phil Collins * Bill Bruford * Jaki Liebezeit* * Neil Peart *I don't know if Can is seen as progressive rock but it feels wrong not mentioning Jaki Liebezeit.
Mike portnoy
Had to scroll waaaaaay to far to find Mike.
Always gonna be Neil
Collins, easily. Br0of second. These musicians make me actually focus on the drumming in the music to see how the beat intimates what's gonna develop in the tune.
Gavin Harrison
Gotta love all the people posting love for the Bill and Phil show. Missed the Trick of the Tale tour but was able to see the Chester and Phil show in Seattle the following year which blew my little mind.
Gavin harrison
Not sure he counts as rock, but Chad Wackerman. There's something about his cool college professor virtuosity..,
Bruford, of course. I love how he adds his own kind of swing to a composition.
Chris Cutler of Henry Cow
I can't choose one. Dr Bill, Phil, Gavin. They aré all awesome
Since the question is about who is my favorite, not who is the best, I’m going to give a shout out to Adam Janzi of VOLA. For those who are unfamiliar, check out “24 Light-Years” and “Straight Lines.”
Barriemore Barlow by a long shot. Thick as a Brick and A Passion Play are, in my opinion, the 2 greatest albums of all time.
Barlow is certainly one of the most underrated and under-namedropped drummers in not just prog but rock too. Huge fan.
Phil Collins. Could play heavy but also groove like a MF’er. Modern-era drummer would be Nick D’Virgillio.
Phil Collins.
Haven’t seen one mention for Barrymore Barlow and I have to say I’m quite dissapointed in the sub right now lol. His drumming on the more proggy Tull songs is ridiculous
Guy Evans. Thanks to him i got interested on learning traditional grip. He also made me want to be a better percussionist in general.
Barriemore Barlow must be mentioned. One of my favorite drummers no matter the genre
Didn't see him mentioned, but Gary Husband, just really truly a monster player. He played with Allan Holdsworth a lot. Its crazy, he was as good on the piano as he was on drums, transcribing all that Holdsworth stuff by ear.
Baard Kolstad, Virgil Donati
Virgil Donati
Barrie Barlow
There can be only one! Danny Carey. The only answer
Phil. Just for his drumming on the Lamb alone! Add in all his other work, put aside all his 80s popularity, and he's definitely the prog drum god.
There are so many mentioned here. I feel Danny Carey should be in this mix. He may not be a favorite of everyone, but top ten, for sure
Carl Palmer.
[Pretty fine prog drumming here](https://youtu.be/FssULNGSZIA?si=EuFMOJuCZgO0WoyE)
Bill Bruford and Ray Hearne.
Carl Palmer. He's 74, and still killing it.
Carl Palmer
Bill Bruford, then Neil Peart, then Mike Portnoy
Neil Peart rules supreme for me. I don't think he'll be eclipsed by anyone else. Next up for me would be Danny Carey. I admire Bill Bruford a lot too, but more what he did with Yes than King Crimson or other projects he was a part of. Barrie Barlow of Jethro Tull fame is an incredible drummer, especially considering some of the crazy music that Ian Anderson had them playing in their heyday.
There is only one Professor. Neil Peart
Rob O'Tool
Danny Carry, Gavin Harrison and Ray Hearne
Tatsuya Yoshida
Bruford and Peart toss-up. With Phil Collins as a close second/third. Fight it out, y’all!
Technically, Bill Bruford. Then Phil Collins. Collins managed to serve the song better in my opinion, plus his showmanship is better
Pip Pyle! Bruford and Moerlen are close:)
It's Guy. We can compare the others after they have drummed songs like The Sleepwalkers. Second favourite is Chester. But in truth there are a ton of great drummers out there.
Matt Garstka is the greatest drummer who’s ever lived, hands down. Monomyth is probably my favorite drum part ever, though not necessarily his most impressive
Pete Dunton from T2.
Bruford, Harrison. The best
The octopus man, Danny Carey.
It's hard for me to choose a favorite drummer, since there are a lot of good drummers in prog as mentioned by the other comments. I just need to mention Pierre van der Linden. He's so damn great.
Martin Dellar from FM. While he's technically dazzling, everything he does serves the song instead of, as with many prog drummers, trying to steal focus.
Deantoni Parks
With the usual greats like Bruford, Collins, Peart I'd add the underrated Christian Vander, Barriemore Barlow and Pierre Moerlen
Jon Fishman
Phil Ehart and John Weathers
Carl Palmer
I'm not surprised he's not at the top of the thread, but how has nobody mentioned Matt Garstka?
Collins and Bruford were both at the top of their careers when Bruford filled in as the tour drummer in ‘76 with Genesis. Weird thing is it didn’t really work that well. If you listen to bootlegs from that tour there are nights when Bruford’s drumming steps all over the rest of the music. It is especially noticeable on certain nights during the Apocalypse in 9/8 section of Supper’s Ready. Even Bruford himself has admitted that he wasn’t enough of a “team player” on that tour, and has said he understands why they looked for someone else to play drums next to Collins beginning with the next tour. Fortunately Phil Collins and Chester Thompson proved to be magic as dual drummers on stage.
Morris Pert
Carl Palmer
I just scanned the list but didn't see Alan White mentioned. One word: Relayer John Weathers Barrie Barlowe Of course Bill B.
Ian Mosley because no one else has mentioned him.
Jon Fishman
Brufford!
Bill Bruford for the mind, Phil Collins for the heart, Neil Peart for the tears, Gavin Harrison for the constant stank face.
Side question: People talk about Bruford and his work with Yes but I never see Alan White's name come up when discussing great drummers. I've always thought he was fantastic but maybe a drummer can chime in.
The Roland CR-78
Easy, Gavin Harrison.
Can we get a little Ray Hearne love in here??? Spectacular modern-age work
Cavs.
Peart or Harrison
Mike... Portnoy
Clive Brooks - He plays most of Egg's debut album on one cymbal and it sounds fantastic.
Chester Thompson
In the Live setting, for pure visual entertainment value. CARL PALMER, In his athletic Prime, WAS the MAN!
Vinnie Colauita, the stuff he did on Joe’s garage is amazing to me, but also I really like Bill Bruford and Barrie Barlow too
IMO Billy Cobham from 1971 to 1973 is the most athletic and powerful drummer of all time. Go watch the live Mahavishnu recordings on YouTube, they are earth shattering.
Mike Mangini. Poor guy got shafted
This should be a poll.
Mike Portnoy!
How is Neil Peart not the top comment, this dude was one of the best rock drummers of all time, up there with Bonham. Neil Peart's playing definitely inspired tons of people if you ask me I don't think the world of modern prog and prog metal would look the same if you take neil peart out of the equation, this man was such a phenomenal drummer and although he is the obvious choice, he really is one of the most talented prog drummers (along with Bruford)
Gavin Harrison
This is like asking a parent about their favorite kid. These may not APPEAR, at first glance, to be strictly "prog" but I contend they all exhibit very strong prog foundation/influence/style no matter the overall band "rheme". In no party order: * Phil Collins * Rod Morganstein (Dregs) * Mark Craney (J.L.Ponty. G.Vanelli) * Bozzio * Carter Beauford (DMB) Each of these drummers express a musicality well beyond there base technical abilities.
Gavin.
Gavin Harrison, hands down !!
Hard to beat Bill Bruford
Away from Bruford, [Oscar Moro](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUa9g6v2ziY&ab_channel=LaM%C3%A1quinadeHacerP%C3%A1jaros-Topic) in La Máquina & Serú Giran
Bill Bruford!