"I think the drummer should sit back there and play some drums, and never mind about the tunes. Just get up there and wail behind whoever is sitting up there playing the solo. And this is what is lacking, definitely lacking in music today"

Buddy Rich, among the most iconic drummers in jazz history, was understood for his virtuosity, showmanship, and no-nonsense technique to music. This quote encapsulates his straightforward philosophy relating to the role of the drummer in a band setting.

Rich recommends that the drummer's main duty is to support the musicians and the total music rather than pursuing extreme attention or recognition. By specifying, "the drummer should sit back there and play some drums", he emphasizes the foundational function of the rhythm area. Drummers, in his view, are not suggested to overshadow the soloist or the tune however to enhance and improve the efficiency, producing a vibrant and energetic background.

Rich's require drummers to "simply get up there and wail" talks to his belief in authenticity and spontaneity in music. He motivates drummers to reveal themselves totally and passionately, yet within the context of supporting the ensemble. The term "wail" indicates a particular liberty and intensity, recommending that while drummers must uphold their encouraging function, they ought to likewise inject energy and creativity into their playing.

When he states that this approach is "definitely lacking in music today", Rich reviews modern practices, maybe lamenting that drummers, and musicians in general, may have ended up being too concentrated on technical precision or specific spotlight rather than the cumulative musical experience. His words reflect a desire to return to a more collaborative and organic type of music-making, where every member of the ensemble is attuned to the requirements and expressions of their fellow musicians.

In essence, Rich advocates for a well balanced approach where the drummer keeps the groove and drives the music forward, supporting soloists with vitality and enthusiasm without detracting from the composition's stability or the ensemble's unity.