Drummer's recent partnerships are a gold mine of inspiration
Staying busy has more than just the obvious reward for drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts.
"I get out there with other people, and then I can bring other ideas to my band," says the North Versailles native who operates his career from New York City.
Watts has just released a new live album, "Detained," recorded at the Blue Note in New York City.
But he has been showing up in plenty of other sites, too. He toured this year with pop trumpeter Chris Botti and singer Harry Connick Jr. He also worked with pianist George Cables. He visited Brazil and Europe with Branford Marsalis, with whom he also appears on a performance DVD, and did a live album with pianist McCoy Tyner and bassist Christian McBride.
"It's been a busy year, but that's cool," he says.
Watts, who studied percussion at Duquesne University, Uptown, is one of those players who might not get the one-name recognition of a Monk, Mingus or Miles. Yet.
He is one of the most rhythmically creative drummers in jazz and his work has the steadiness of great players who seldom star, but always shine -- such as trumpeter Marvin Stamm, saxophonist Brandon Fields or drummer Jamey Haddad.
His new album, which rates a hearty Three stars (out of four), shows his creativity and, he says, is a "look at one form" of his band. It features regulars such as saxophonist Marcus Strickland and bassist Eric Revis. But he says it suffers a little because it doesn't have pianist David Budway, a fellow Pittsburgher who has been a longtime musical compatriot of Watts.
But working with different people helps create a lively sound, he says.
"Your playing helps keep you fresh," he says.
Now, as the year's wrapping up, he says he's going to retreat to his home for a bit of reflection.
"It's time to take a break and figure out where you're going on your own," he says.
A new focus on music
RCA Bluebird has continued its joint CD-DVD project with its latest four releases, but don't get too hopeful for a never-ending future.
Producer Barry Feldman says he isn't sure how much further he can continue the video-audio packages he has been putting out on the label's Centennial Collection. But he says he felt like he had stumbled into a cache of riches when he went to Historic Films, a Long Island archival firm run by music lover Joe Lauro.
"When I found out how much historical footage was available, I practically walked around banging on a drum saying, 'We gotta do this,'" he says.
The latest four releases focus on the work of Duke Ellington, Coleman Hawkins, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw.
Like the earlier looks at Fats Waller and Glenn Miller, they consist of a CD of music and a DVD of performances.
"We just couldn't keep releasing the same tunes again and again," he says of the many re-releases that flood the jazz marketplace.
The films for these releases were not bound by any legal or copyright restrictions, but Feldman says more of these difficulties emerge in later years. Therefore, he isn't sure how much further he can take this series.
"I'm just glad I got the chance to do what I've done," he says.
Album reviews
"City Nights" (HighNote) Frank Morgan. The marvelous alto sax player leads a quartet in a session at New York City's Jazz Standard. No new material, but no matter -- he is such a fine player, he gives a different kind of life to familiar tunes. Check out his "All Blues," for example. Three stars (out of four)
"More Live-Lee" (Milestones) Lee Konitz and Alan Broadbent. Sax giant Konitz and pianist Broadbent perform in a marvelous duet outing recorded live at a Los Angeles club. The level of play lifts even worn standards such as "You Go to My Head" to a high level. "Body and Soul" rivals Coleman Hawkins' classic version. Three and 1/2 stars
"Let Yourself Go" (Zoho) Judi Silvano. The talented and imaginative singer offers a collection of standards with great arrangements by pianist Michael Abene. The 11-piece band features distinctive woodwind arrangements and the great trumpet work of Ingrid Jensen. Three stars
"Soul Shadows" (Verve/PRA Records) Joe Sample. This solo piano album is just what Sample needed to release to prove skills that often get lost in his support work. The song selection isn't that exciting, with tired tunes such as "Avalon," but it's great to hear him play in such an open setting. Two and 1/2 stars
"Step Away" (Incline) Katahdin's Edge. This clever trio is named for the infamous section of the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Its music goes a number of directions stylistically but never loses its groove. Three stars
"Ivey-Divey" (Blue Note/EMI) Don Byron. The clarinetist is joined by pianist Jason Moran and drummer Jack DeJohnette in a creative outing of mostly originals. Even classics such as "Freddie Freeloader" and "I Cover the Waterfront" get fresh treatments, though. Three stars
"End of the World Party (Just in Case)" (Blue Note/EMI) Medeski Martin & Wood. This album does not cut any dramatically new ground, but still shows this trio can shape keyboard-oriented settings in a more original way than practically any other group. Two and 1/2 stars
"Here on Earth" (Enja) Ingrid Jensen. The trumpeter shows why she is one of the most striking talents on her instrument. With a great cast featuring drummer Bill Stewart, Jensen produces lively new material as well as fresh interpretations of older songs. Three stars
DVD reviews
"Jazz Legends, Vols. 2 and 4" (Quantum Leap) various artists. The label has assembled two more good performance discs, featuring Arnett Cobb, Ben Sidran and Les McCann on Vol. 2. Sidran joins Phil Woods, Charlie Byrd and Stephane Grappelli on Vol. 4. As usual, no information is offered on the performances, but the concert gigs are fun to watch and the sound is more than adequate. Two and 1/2 stars for each
