Improving Your Solos Within a Song

Playing a drum solo within the form of a tune is often a challenge for jazz drummers. You know the situation: you're grooving on a tune, the piano solo ends, and you're left with a wide-open space to play a drum solo. Trouble is, you often freeze up or lose your place in the form. The inner voice is yelling at you to play some of your best chops or 'pretend' like you know where you are in the song form.