Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie pitched his shuffle to Steely Dan

Bernard Purdie is a world-class blues percussionist who has played with more than 2,500 artists. On July 12, 2024, he played to a small crowd at The Greenwood Museum in Greenwood, S.C., with keyboardist Dave Keyes. Purdie told the story of how he pitched the Purdie Shuffle to the band Steely Dan, which was seeking a drummer for the album "Aja." The shuffle became the rhythm for their hit song, "Home at Last."

[carguyuk]

I met him at the uk drumshow in Liverpool. Amazing drummer and very generous with his time. A true great.

[ericwright]

Great beat. I'm 70 years old. Drummed my whole life. I play this ' Purdie Shuffle. Nearly every time I play. Home at Last, Rosanna, and the Zeppelin beat.

[JunG]

HOme At Last is one of my very favourite songs. The Purdie Shuffle is iconic groove and Bernard Purdie is one of the greatest musicians in history. Such a pleasure to hear this man speak. Thanks for posting this. Anyone who is serious about the art and craft of drumming must get hip to this man.

[sammominks]

He still looks, sounds and plays outstanding. What a treat

[meekoloco]

I’ll never forget my chance meeting with Mr Purdie. Such an amazing cat!

[artofunk]

Such a bad ass!!! Loved meeting this legend❣️❣️❣️

[mbalamgabo]

ok I must admit that I smiled alll the way through this !

[colinreynolds]

I met him at the Liverpool drum festival two weeks ago... Amazing... I later in the week had a one to one drum lesson time with him at Premises Studios, Hackney.... Very kind, we did a mixture of music... Purdie shuffle, rock, blues, Bossa nova...
Just fab

[deusvolt]

I taught this to one of my students and the following week he was at a party at her house, through a mutual friend of her father, and he played it on her drumset !

[markgabriel]

I got to meet Purdie back in 2021. He was a hoot. Great guy.

[aturner]

I feel so honor to have met Bernard Purdie and Chuck Rainy! 2 of the greatest musicians and finest humans you'll ever meet!

[Kendo]

Simply awesome to hear this breakdown! I think of the experience and feel Purdie brought to the table, amazing. People bust on Steely Dan about studio vs. live but in the end they created mainstream music using rhythm and jazz with blues and rock blended in to create incredible songs that intrigue us to this day. I love hearing from these master studio musicians.

[vladimirzivkovic]

great video man, nice for us from far far away being able to see this kind of stuff :-) long live "the beat"

[gdwb]

The Great One.... Mr. "FonkeyDonkeyTime", the one and only BPurdie - The Legend. And one of my all-time Heroes! Nothing ever, but love...😎🐐👑

[Extrikit]

Heard variations of that story a few times. Each time I hang on every word because it translates to some of the best songs ever produced by SD. Great to see BP still in action at 100%.

[joeldrummer]

He looks good even more amazing Drummer

[coajrmusic]

I don't have Mr. Purdie's talent, but I do have that shirt....

[richone]

Telling a story with DRUMS in such an expert masterful manner. NO G/CHOPS or BLAST BEATING…

[johngrobson]

What a legend, Simplicity in Perfection thank you Mr Purdie😎🥁💎🥁😎 11:42

[ericwright]

Legendary. Love his method of teaching. Starts so simple. Then drops the fattest Bass beats Ever created .