Don Lamond, 82; Drummer Played With Herman Band

Don Lamond, 82, a big-band drummer perhaps best known for his work with Woody Herman in the 1940s, died of a malignant brain tumor Tuesday at a hospital in Orlando, Fla., according to his wife, Terry.

Born in Oklahoma City, Lamond grew up in Washington, D.C., and studied music at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. He made his professional debut with band leader Sonny Dunham in 1943 and then joined Boyd Raeburn’s band before becoming a part of Herman’s First Herd in 1945, replacing drummer Dave Tough.

After Herman disbanded his group in 1946, Lamond worked as a free-lance drummer, recording with be-bop great Charlie Parker. Lamond joined Herman’s Second Herd later that year, staying with it until it disbanded in 1949. Critics would later credit Lamond with bringing a be-bop sensibility to big-band drumming.

After leaving Herman, Lamond became a popular session drummer in New York City, playing traditional jazz with Bob Crosby and Ruby Braff; swing with Benny Goodman and be-bop with Stan Getz and Zoot Sims.

He led his own swing band from 1973 to 1981. In recent years, he played at various overseas festivals.