JEFF 'TAIN' WATTS QUARTET (USA)

“…a kind of pure, extremely musical percussion. He spends time inside rhythmic patterns that are complex but not flashy; he sounds as if he’s knocking down the formalized patterns of jazz drumming and starting from scratch.” New York Times

Foundry616 is thrilled to present USA drummer and composer Jeff 'Tain' Watts, a creative and innovative force in modern jazz, who writes most of the compositions on his albums and has worked with some incredible names in jazz over the past few decades. He brings his renowned quartet to Foundry616 for TWO exclusive nights in Sydney before heading to Wangaratta to headline the jazz and blues festival.

Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts has long been acknowledged as one of the most exciting and influential drummers in jazz today. This will be a thrilling live experience, with Watts' original quartet, featuring Troy Roberts (tenor saxophone), Osmany Paredes (piano) and Chris Smith (bass).

Tain Watt’s approach to the art of drumming combines explosive power, blinding speed and mastery of complex rhythms and time signatures, along with a rare sense of elegance, tried-by-fire composure, and a gritty street funk, keeping his band of excellent musicians on their toes throughout two sets of inspiring music.

Tain Watts has won numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Modern Drummer Magazine’s Best Drummer Award twice as well as contributing to the success of Wynton Marsalis’ first band (1981-88), and then over many years in the quartets and trios led by Branford Marsalis. He has also has worked and recorded with other highly regarded artists including the Mingus Big Band, McCoy Tyner, Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett, Danilo Perez, Geri Allen, Alice Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane and many more.

Renowned for own bands, it is his Quartet which regularly garners critical acclaim, while he also attracts attention for his 17-piece Watts Family Reunion Band, both featuring his original music. 

His albums as leader include Citizen Tain and Bar Talk (Sony) and more recently, Folk’s Songs, Watts and Family (Dark Key Music).

“His propulsive playing, much like his writing, strikes a fine balance between being brawny and brainy, playful and poignant.” – Jazz Times

The band:

Osmany Paredes (piano) was born in Cuba, where he studied music and began performing, until he moved to Mexico in 1992, then the USA in 2003. He has worked with such artists as Israel ‘Cachao’ Lopez, Jerry Gonzalez, David Murray, George Garzone and Roy Hargrove. 

Chris Smith (bass) is an accomplished and in-demand young bassist on the New York scene, who has worked and/ore recorded with many high profile musicians, including Robert Glasper, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Brubeck, Randy Jones,Christian McBride, Jeremy Pelt and many more. 

Troy Roberts (tenor sax) hails from Perth; he has been based in the USA for several years now. As well as leading his own Nu-Jive Five, he has worked with James Morrison, Orrin Evans and Nicholas Payton, and was a finalist in the 2008 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition.

View a live quartet gig here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiZMiAMHr4o