JazzWatch #56 | Peter Erskine

February 22, 2016 by jazzwatch in JazzWatch Blog Posts, JazzWatch Podcast and tagged album, bam, band, black american music, concert, conversation, discussion, drummer, drums, improv, improvisation, Indie, Interlochen Arts Academy, interview, Jaco Pastorius, jazz, jazz night in america, jazz release, Joe Zawinul, Kate Bush, label, long form, manager, Maynard Ferguson, miles davis, music, nashville, New Jersey, new york, new york city, Night Passage, npr, podcast, producer, quartet, Rhythm, Smalls, Smoke, Smoke Jazz Club, song travels, soundcheck, Stan Kenton, Steely Dan, Steps Ahead, Thornton School of Music, tiny desk, trio, University of Southern California, usc, Weather Report, web series, webisode, Word of Mouth | Leave a comment

Peter Erskine is one of the great drummers of our time. Most recently, he has shared his amazing personal collection of live and unreleased material from his tenure with one of music’s greatest groups, Weather Report. Released at the end of 2015, “The Legendary Live Tapes 1978-1981” features four discs of pure excellence. Not only do we further experience the brilliance of Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius and Bobby Thomas, but we hear an energy from Mr. Erskine’s drums that linked tradition to the future.

He isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Peter Erskine has just released “Dr. Um”, a new project featuring the exceptional talents of John Beasley, Janek Gwizdala, Jeff Parker and Bob Sheppard that is sure to satisfy lovers of groove and swing. It’s a wonderfully eclectic project that suggests where Erskine-era Weather Report might have gone if they were around today. Get hip and give a listen to our chat with the great Peter Erskine.

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JazzWatch #36 | Gerald Clayton

March 26, 2015 by jazzwatch in JazzWatch Blog Posts, JazzWatch Podcast and tagged album, bam, band, black american music, Bond, California, charles lloyd, Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, concert, conversation, discussion, Gretchen Parlato, improv, improvisation, Indie, interview, jazz, Jeff Clayton, John Clayton, Kenny Barron, label, Life Force, long form, manager, Manhattan School of Music, music, nashville, New Orleans, new york, new york city, npr, pianist, piano, podcast, quartet, Roy Hargrove, Smalls, Smoke, Smoke Jazz Club, trio, Two Shade, University of Southern California, usc, web series, webisode | Leave a comment

Gerald Clayton has earned a unique place among the current generation of pianists and composers. He’s equally versed in the rich tradition of jazz as well as its modern sounds and explorations. Not only has Clayton been called upon to perform with father John and uncle Jeff Clayton in their award-winning ensembles, he’s also been featured with a diverse array of A-list bandleaders such as vocalist Gretchen Parlato, drummer Gregory Hutchinson, trumpeter Roy Hargrove and saxophonist Charles Lloyd. Clayton’s trio and expanded ensembles have been featured over three acclaimed releases (Two-Shade, Bond and Life Force) and he has enjoyed leading these ensembles in tours across the U.S. and abroad. He spoke with us about his growth and development in the music while imparting some wisdom about sharing improvisational music with new listeners.

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