Jazz Articles about Jeff Tain Watts

Jeff "Tain" Watts: Watts

by Mark F. Turner
February 19, 2009

Noted for his distinct and propulsive style, the eminent drummer/composer Jeff “Tain" Watts is a longtime member of the Branford Marsalis quartet and a leading sideman for many artists; yet it's his own recordings as a leader that are the most telling. True to form, this eponymous release has plenty of the drummer's fireworks but also shows that the power of his pen is almost as mighty as his sticks, with compositions that contain humor, incredible swing, angular rhythms, and ...

Jeff "Tain" Watts: The Tain Self-Test

by Russ Musto
January 19, 2009

The most visible and exciting drummer of his generation, Jeff “Tain" Watts burst into the jazz spotlight in the early '80s as a member of Wynton Marsalis' first quintet and into the general public's eye in the role of Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues (1990) and as a member of The Tonight Show band led by Branford Marsalis, in whose quartet he's drummed for over 25 years. Since leaving the world of television and returning to ...

McCoy Tyner: Quartet

by Jeff Stockton
January 12, 2008

It seems grossly unfair that the debonair, elegant elder statesman on the cover of Quartet, a document of the concerts McCoy Tyner and his band gave on Dec. 30th-31st, 2006 at Yoshi's in Oakland, would still be trying to live up to the reputation for excellence he established with the John Coltrane Quartet some forty-plus years ago. Perhaps tellingly, three of the seven selections come from The Real McCoy, the first solo album Tyner made for Blue Note in 1965. ...

Tain & the Ebonix: Folk's Songs

by Woodrow Wilkins
December 1, 2007

There are tribute albums, and then there's Folk's Songs, Jeff “Tain Watts' debut release on Dark Key Music under the group name Tain & the Ebonix. Rather than the typical collection of remakes, Watts delivers seven original compositions among the ten songs that honor people who have influenced and inspired him. Tain & the Ebonix are Watts on drums and percussion, everyman Christian McBride on bass, Marcus Strickland on saxophones and David Kikoski on piano. The ensemble ...

McCoy Tyner: Quartet

by Mark Corroto
November 11, 2007

From the first few notes you know you're going to love this live recording by McCoy Tyner. With a bass line borrowed from John Coltrane's “A Love Supreme (Impulse!, 1964), the quartet doesn't exactly mimic the Coltrane era as much as take inspiration from its legacy. And of course that legacy included Tyner some forty years ago as he, Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison were the rhythm section for the most creative jazz artist ever to advance this music.

Jeff "Tain" Watts: Jazz For The Modern Age

by Jason Crane
October 15, 2007

If you've listened to any jazz at all in the past couple decades, you've probably heard drummer Jeff “Tain" Watts. His discography is long and impressive, including appearances on many Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed recordings by various men named Marsalis. He's also led several of his own dates, including the new album Folk's Songs (Dark Key Music, 2007) with his band The Ebonix.

All About Jazz contributor Jason Crane talked with Watts about his roots, his ...

Tain & the Ebonix: Folk's Songs

by Craig W. Hurst
September 17, 2007

Folk's Songs, led by drummer Jeff “Tain" Watts and his group Tain and the Ebonix, comprises ten compositions, including seven Watts originals all dedicated to various folks. The tunes not composed by Watts are by pianists Keith Jarrett ("Rotation and “Rotation II ) and the late Kenny Kirkland ("Blasphemy ). Specific tune dedications range from other musicians such as Curtis Mayfield, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland and the late Dewey Redman to comedian Dave Chappell, artist Jean Michel Basquiat and all ...