A few years back I went on an epic journey across the USA filming a four part series for Sky Arts about the world's best drummers. From old blues and jazz masters, maestros of funk and latino, reggae and rock and roll, to modern day punk and thrash metal. We travelled along the Eastern side of the country, driving down from New York and stopping in Philadelphia; then across to snowy Indianapolis and a long drive south visiting drummers in Nashville, Memphis, Mobile, New Orleans; then heading west to Los Angeles. One of the first drummers we filmed on a rainy day in New York was the enigmatic Bernard Purdie, once band leader for the great Aretha Franklin, a drummer who played with James Brown, Steely Dan, Gil Scott-Heron, King Curtis, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Isaac Hayes, Cat Stevens to name a few. Here he talks about his musical upbringing. I hope you enjoy it.