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Taru Alexander
While still studying at the age of sixteen, Taru recorded his first album as a side man accompanying Fred Ho Afro-Asian Ensemble on the Black Saint record label. Soon after, he established himself at the New York jazz scene and became one of the sough after drummers. He also toured US with the Moe Better Blues Band & The Drums of Fire bands. Taru performed domestically and internationally with: Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carter, Roland Alexander, Roy Hargrove, Carlos Garnett, Rodney Kendrick, Branford Marsalis, Danny Mixon, Gary Bartz, Carlos Garnett, Reggie Workman, Bill Saxton, Kenny Davis, Lonnie Plaxico, Bill Lee and many more…
During his three decades of professional successful career, Taru appeared as a side man on more than fifty albums. Just to name few he accompanied Salim Washington (Harlem Homecoming CD, 2006); Michael Marcus (Lotus Symphony CD, 2008); Carlos Garnett (Resurgence CD, 1996); Rodney Kendrick, Roy Hargrove & Kenny Garrett (Secrets of Rodney Kendrick CD, 1994) and many more… As a leader, Taru recorded in 2014 album titled KoJo Time released under the Jazz Leadsheet label paying tribute to his father, legendary tenor saxophone player Roland Alexander by playing his original compositions.
Awards
In 1996 Taru was honored with a proclamation honoring his musical achievements by Brooklyn Borough president Marty Markowitz along legendary jazz drummer Max Roach.
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Hanka G: Universal Ancestry
by Richard J Salvucci
For a recording that combines, jazz, rock, gospel soul and r&b with Slovakian folk melodies, look no farther. Hanka G, who has artists as different as Abbey Lincoln and McCoy Tyner as her models, was raised in Mongolia, coming to the United States in 2018. This is her first stateside recording, and it is an innovative album for people fond of crossing cultures, mindscapes, ethnic and racial boundaries. She kicks things off with a grittier, rougher version of ...
read moreGerry Eastman Trio: Trust Me
by Jack Bowers
Trust Me embodies more than an hour of tasteful contemporary jazz by a decisively hip guitar/organ/drums trio led by New York-bred Gerry Eastman on guitar with Greg Lewis at the Hammond B3 and Taru Alexander manning the drum set. The program consists of eight of Eastman's original compositions, each of which is polished and credible but a step or two short of memorable. The same is true of solos, which are consistently sharp and steady while at the same time ...
read moreGerry Eastman Trio: Trust Me
by Richard J Salvucci
Right out of the gate, this is a great recording. Gerry Eastman is the moving force as guitarist, producer, arranger, and photographer. If you dig soul jazz and B3 organ trios, it is a safe bet that you will enjoy this session from start to finish. So many great sounds are conjured up: you hear Wes Montgomery, but Jimmy Ponder too. Charlie Earland and Richard Holmes must have gone into Greg Lewis' ears at some point, and of course, Jimmy ...
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Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson