Legendary jazz drummer, bandleader and composer Eric McPherson

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On this show we chat with legendary jazz drummer, band leader, and composer Eric McPherson. Mr. McPherson would be introduced to music and jazz at a very young age. Richard Davis, his godfather and an icon among jazz bassists, was a neighborhood friend of the family, and his mother, a superb dancer-choreographer, deep into the jazz scene was taking him to rehearsals and performances, as a child. Her wide orbit of friends included many drummers, major jazz artists like Max Roach, Michael Carvin, Charles Moffett and Freddie Waits.

Later in his career, in the 1990's, Mr. McPherson would join the saxophonist & bandleader Jackie McLean and his Quintet along with Rene McLean, Alan Palmer and Nat Reeves. For the next 15 years, until McLean's death, he was the quintet's drummer, following in the distinguished footsteps of drummers Michael Carvin, Billy Higgins, Jack DeJohnette and Tony Williams.

Over those years, Mr. McPherson recorded two CDs with Jackie McLean and performed with him at major venues and festivals all over the Far East, Middle East, Latin America, Europe, the Caribbean, and the U.S. In addition to his touring and recording with Jackie McLean, Mr. McPherson has also performed with a wide range of major jazz figures, including Pharoah Sanders, Andrew Hill, Richard Davies, Claudia Acuna, Jason Moran, Greg Osby and Avishai Cohen.

McPherson has just released a unique jazz recording Double Bass Quartet, featuring two bassists, himself on percussion, and a pianist. We will talk about this arrangement, selected compositions and the relationship in the rhythm of a jazz band as the driving engine. Also, McPherson will share his thoughts about the chemistry between a jazz drummer and bassist. We will also be listening to portions of two compositions from McPherson's latest release Double Bass Quartet (Giant Step Arts, 2025) and discuss other upcoming music projects.

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