I know that two weeks in a row I have featured jazz drummers and I can't help it but I'm a drum and bass fanatic. It's important to note that jazz drummer Billy Drummond (real name Willis Robert Drummond Jr.)is one of the most well-known jazz drummers out there. He has
recorded and played with the best.
Billy Drummond's interest in jazz started at a young age after listening to his father's jazz collection. His father was an amateur drummer and huge jazz enthusiast. He started playing
by age 4 and by age 8 was already performing live with his band. He would also play with the
neighborhood kids which included the great bassist Victor Wootten and his brothers. He went to
the Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music on a scholarship where he studied classical percussion. After graduation, he started gigging and became a member of a local group called The
Squares. Things started to take off after legendary jazz saxophonist, Al Foster invited him to sit in
with his band at the Village Vanguard. He made his debut in 1991 with the album, Native Colours and has recorded several albums as both leader and co-leader. He is not only a musician but also
a composer and an educator. It has been 25 years since he released an album as a leader and we are so happy he has. The reviews of his newly released Valse Sinistre are astounding. This recording is being touted as one of the 50 crucial jazz drumming recordings of the past 100 years as per Modern Drummer. Accompanying him are jazz double bassist, Dezron Douglas, jazz pianist Micah Thomas and jazz saxophonist, Dayna Stevens. The quartet is now on tour and will stop here in NYC on September 23 and 24th for the CD release of Valse Sinistre and will play four shows at
the jazz club, Smalls. This is a show you won't want to miss. Check out this super-talented drummer and support independent music and musicians. Happy listening!
Valse Sinistre
Comments