Jazz Articles about Jeff Tain Watts

Jeff "Tain" Watts: Moods and Melodies of a Drummer

by R.J. DeLuke
March 13, 2004

Jeff “Tain" Watts is a workingman's drummer. Look around and you find him everywhere. Gigging with Branford Marsalis. Yeah, he did the Wynton thing for a bunch of years. The ill-fated “Tonight Show" band when Jay Leno first took over for Johnny Carson. Look at your CDs. You'll find him. With Michael Brecker, Ravi Coltrane, Kenny Garrett and a whole lot more. He can establish a groove for anyone, as well as flat out cook.His command of his ...

Jeff "Tain" Watts: Megawatts

by John Kelman
March 8, 2004

Megawatts has had a somewhat chequered past. Originally recorded in 1991, contractual difficulties made it necessary to release the record without Jeff “Tain" Watts’ name on the marquee. Consequently, the album never received the attention it deserved, and this is a shame because aside from being Watts’ first album as a leader, it represents one of only two trio albums that the late pianist Kenny Kirkland recorded. It would be worth the investment for that alone, but the truth is, ...

Jeff "Tain" Watts Quintet

by David Adler
March 8, 2004

Jeff “Tain" Watts Quintet The Iridium January 19, 2000Trombonist Conrad Herwig was on to something when he recruited the bass/drum team of James Genus and Jeff “Tain" Watts for his latest Criss Cross release, Osteology. The same pair takes the stage for Tain's week-long stint at New York's Iridium jazz club from January 19th through the 23rd. The other band members are strong, too - Ravi Coltrane on tenor and soprano, Paul Bollenback on guitar, and David Budway on ...

Mike Pope: The Lay of the Land

by Alexander M. Stern
August 25, 2003

In a year that has already produced a number of excellent recordings, Mike Pope's The Lay of the Land may well be one of the best. It's certainly one of the most exciting new albums this reviewer has heard in a long time. Pope, who excels on both acoustic and electric bass, has surrounded himself with major label talent for this indie label release: both Randy and Michael Brecker make appearances, saxophonist Seamus Blake appears on two tracks; guitarist Mike ...

Jeff "Tain" Watts: Citizen Tain

by AAJ Staff
January 20, 2003

As one of the most visible drummers of his generation, Tonight Show rhythm man Jeff “Tain" Watts was not going to bring his own compositions out with just anyone! So, he joined forces with old band mate (and Leno connector) Branford Marsalis (who also produced the album). Watts also reunited the sax-y Marsalis with his horn- er- trumpet-playing/Pulitzer Prize-winning brother Wynton and li'l bro Delfeayo (who also had a percussive hand in the production). Together with pianist/arranger/dearly departed friend Kenny ...

Mike Pope: The Lay of the Land

by Phil DiPietro
November 15, 2002

Mike Pope plays a mean piano. He's also a noted inventor, designing and building pre-amps for the boutique bass builders Fodera. But really he's a bassist; and not surprisingly, a skilled, er... pontif--icator on both electric and acoustic. He's also a fine mainstream jazz composer and has assembled an all-star cast of musicians here, including heavy hitters the Brecker Brothers, Mike Stern, Joe Locke, Jeff “Tain" Watts and his doubling double John Patitucci to assist in expressing his vision. Bloomdaddy ...

Jeff "Tain" Watts: Bar Talk

by Jim Santella
September 11, 2002

Propelling his modern mainstream ensemble with clarity, through rigorous action, drummer Jeff “Tain" Watts combines free form humor with swinging rhythms. Complex patterns mingle with delicate waves of motion. For his second Columbia recording as a leader, Watts returns to the studio with a familiar band. As a result of his firm leadership and thoughtful planning, they've brewed up a storm.

Born January 20, 1960 in Pittsburgh, Watts majored in classical percussion at Duquesne University's School of Music. ...