Ian, Thanks for keeping this topic light. Some can grove and some can entertain. There's no doubt that the entertainers make more money than the groovers.
When I first heard this album years ago, I was digging the improvisation and groove so much, that I didn't even realize that there wasn't a drummer on this session. Just Amazing this kind of talent. I need at the bare minimum a piano, bass and drums. A good guitarist or trombonist player turns me on a bunch too.
The ideal combination would therefore be an entertainer who could groove.
I've played a few times without a drummer (Hammond B-3 and bass pedals) both in a duo with guitar and solo work in a restaurant setting, and managed to keep the sense/feel of the rhythm dominant enough to get by quite well.
Regarding drums without the bass, that kick drum just doesn't make it for me...the foundation is very weak, in my opinion.
So, if given a choice of either drums or bass, I'd have to go with bass.
Ian
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