Specs Powell

Martin Cohen loves drums and he loves drummers, but as we learned in our interview with him, he loves making drums for drummers even more! His impressive innovations and forward-thinking business plan were nearly as impressive as the market he created with Latin Percussion Corp. Martin took the sounds of Latin Jazz and found ways of making instruments that could produce consistent and varying tones such as his very own vibraslap products. He has also earned the respect of the industry and performers around the World.

Specs Powell played jazz drums during the hey-day of 52nd Street in New York City. He worked hard -- sometimes four gigs a night -- playing behind such legends as Billie Holiday, John Kirby and Red Norvo. Specs was active in the V-Disc recordings to boost the troops’ morale during World War II and became the first black musician hired by a network orchestra, CBS back in 1943. He made the transition with the orchestra from radio to television, playing in the pit for the long running Ed Sullivan Show.

Peggy Powell is near and dear to the NAMM family having participated in many events, especially those with her husband, Specs Powell. Specs was a studio drummer who helped Marty Cohen launch the Latin Percussion company based on his needs for percussive related hardware. Peggy played a vital role in Spec’s career and has been an advocate for NAMM and the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music for many years.

Chuck Rainey picked up a violin as a boy and knew very early on that he wanted to make music! His legendary career as a studio musician and band leader included some iconic projects such as Aja with Steely Dan and a tour with King Curtis, when he toured with the Beatles.  Chuck is best known as a rhythm and bass guitarist.

Ed Shaughnessey was best known as the drummer in Doc Severinsen’s band on the “Tonight Show” starring Johnny Carson. Ed started his career in New York night clubs and in pit orchestras learning the ropes from the likes of Specs Powell and Papa Jo Jones. Teaching what he was taught and what he had learned was very important to Ed as he sought to provide opportunities for a new generation of drummers. He authored his own method books and was a sought after clinician around the world. As clinician, Ed always stayed until each question was asked and each photograph signed.