The Whole Drum Truth
Louis Hayes
Louis was the prime drummer for Cannonball Adderley, and propelled groups led by Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Oscar Peterson and John Coltrane. He also has provided the rhythm for Nat Adderley, George Benson, Duke Ellington, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, J.J. Johnson, Jackie McLean, Wes Montgomery, Sonny Rollins, Woody Shaw, McCoy Tyner and Cedar Walton. His work with vocalists includes Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter and Nancy Wilson. His recent quintets have included young stars such as Vincent Herring, Javon Jackson, Abraham Burton, Riley Mullins and Rickie Goods. Louis is the leader of the Cannonball Legacy Band.
Louis was the prime drummer for Cannonball Adderley, and propelled groups led by Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Oscar Peterson and John Coltrane. He also has provided the rhythm for Nat Adderley, George Benson, Duke Ellington, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, J.J. Johnson, Jackie McLean, Wes Montgomery, Sonny Rollins, Woody Shaw, McCoy Tyner and Cedar Walton. His work with vocalists includes Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter and Nancy Wilson. His recent quintets have included young stars such as Vincent Herring, Javon Jackson, Abraham Burton, Riley Mullins and Rickie Goods. Louis is the leader of the Cannonball Legacy Band.
Willie Jones III
Willie was a semifinalist in the 1992 Thelonious Monk Jazz Drum Competition. He was the drummer for the Milt Jackson Quartet, Arturo Sandoval, and the Roy Hargrove Quintet. He has also played with Eric Alexander, Ernestine Anderson, Michael Brecker, Bill Charlap, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Hank Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Rollins and Cedar Walton. Among Willie's many recordings are Horace Silver's Jazz Has a Sense of Humor, Kurt Elling's Grammy-nominated Night Moves and Eric Reed's Here. As a leader, Willie has released four albums on his label WJ3 Records; the latest is The Next Phase.(Photo Credit: Patrick Hilaire)
Willie was a semifinalist in the 1992 Thelonious Monk Jazz Drum Competition. He was the drummer for the Milt Jackson Quartet, Arturo Sandoval, and the Roy Hargrove Quintet. He has also played with Eric Alexander, Ernestine Anderson, Michael Brecker, Bill Charlap, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Hank Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Rollins and Cedar Walton. Among Willie's many recordings are Horace Silver's Jazz Has a Sense of Humor, Kurt Elling's Grammy-nominated Night Moves and Eric Reed's Here. As a leader, Willie has released four albums on his label WJ3 Records; the latest is The Next Phase.(Photo Credit: Patrick Hilaire)
Jackie Williams
Jackie was Doc Cheatham's drummer for 18 years at Greenwich Village's Sweet Basil, and has played and recorded with Buck Clayton (on a U.S. State Department tour of the Middle East and Africa), Bobby Hackett, Earl Hines, Milt Hinton, Alberta Hunter, Illinois Jacquett, Jay McShann, Bobby Short, Buddy Tate and Teddy Wilson. Recipient of Yale University's Duke Ellington Fellowship Medal. Jackie is the drummer for the Junior Mance Trio.
Jackie was Doc Cheatham's drummer for 18 years at Greenwich Village's Sweet Basil, and has played and recorded with Buck Clayton (on a U.S. State Department tour of the Middle East and Africa), Bobby Hackett, Earl Hines, Milt Hinton, Alberta Hunter, Illinois Jacquett, Jay McShann, Bobby Short, Buddy Tate and Teddy Wilson. Recipient of Yale University's Duke Ellington Fellowship Medal. Jackie is the drummer for the Junior Mance Trio.
Ed Thigpen
(1930-2010) A founding member of The Whole Drum Truth and a legend for his work with Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, Ed also had significant associations with Cootie Williams at the Savoy Ballroom, Johnny Hodges, Lennie Tristano, Gil Mellé, Bud Powell and Billy Taylor (featured on the TV series The Subject is Jazz). A longtime resident of Copenhagen, his Scantet band performed worldwide. Recipient of the IAJE Humanitarian Award and member of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame, Ed authored five books, including Be Our Guest with Ray Brown and the video The Essence of Brushes.
(1930-2010) A founding member of The Whole Drum Truth and a legend for his work with Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, Ed also had significant associations with Cootie Williams at the Savoy Ballroom, Johnny Hodges, Lennie Tristano, Gil Mellé, Bud Powell and Billy Taylor (featured on the TV series The Subject is Jazz). A longtime resident of Copenhagen, his Scantet band performed worldwide. Recipient of the IAJE Humanitarian Award and member of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame, Ed authored five books, including Be Our Guest with Ray Brown and the video The Essence of Brushes.
Tootie Heath
Youngest of the three musical Heath brothers. Tootie's first record was also John Coltrane's first as a leader. John Lewis chose Tootie to be the last drummer for the Modern Jazz Quartet. Tootie was a regular member of bands led by Don Cherry, Kenny Drew, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Art Farmer / Benny Golson, Frederic Gulda (in a trio with Ron Carter), Tommy Flanagan, Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Milt Jackson, J.J. Johnson, Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Timmons, Lester Young, Cedar Walton and Ben Webster. Tootie performs with his brother Jimmy in the Heath Brothers Quartet.
Youngest of the three musical Heath brothers. Tootie's first record was also John Coltrane's first as a leader. John Lewis chose Tootie to be the last drummer for the Modern Jazz Quartet. Tootie was a regular member of bands led by Don Cherry, Kenny Drew, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Art Farmer / Benny Golson, Frederic Gulda (in a trio with Ron Carter), Tommy Flanagan, Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Milt Jackson, J.J. Johnson, Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Timmons, Lester Young, Cedar Walton and Ben Webster. Tootie performs with his brother Jimmy in the Heath Brothers Quartet.
Kenny Washington
Kenny broke in with Lee Konitz while still a teenager. He later joined Betty Carter and Johnny Griffin. Kenny has played and recorded with Ray Bryant, Tommy Flannagan, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Ahmad Jamal, Houston Person, Clark Terry and Frank Wess. His work with singers includes Andy Bey, Freddy Cole, Lena Horne, Etta Jones and Jane Monheit. He is a faculty member at The Julliard School of Music and Purchase College of the State University of New York. Kenny is the drummer for the Bill Charlap Trio.
Kenny broke in with Lee Konitz while still a teenager. He later joined Betty Carter and Johnny Griffin. Kenny has played and recorded with Ray Bryant, Tommy Flannagan, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Ahmad Jamal, Houston Person, Clark Terry and Frank Wess. His work with singers includes Andy Bey, Freddy Cole, Lena Horne, Etta Jones and Jane Monheit. He is a faculty member at The Julliard School of Music and Purchase College of the State University of New York. Kenny is the drummer for the Bill Charlap Trio.
Joe Saylor
A drummer since the age of 3, Joe was educated at the Manhattan School of Music and the Julliard School. He is the percussionist for Jonathan Batiste’s Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Joe also performs at jazz clubs, festivals and concert venues world-wide. He has recorded or performed with Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis, Dwayne Dolphin, Steve Wilson, Joe Lovano, Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, and Ellis Marsalis, and was featured on the HBO series Treme.
Idris Muhammed
(1939-2014) An innovator in soul, funk, R&B and jazz, and a major recording artist (including more than 130 albums for Rudy Van Gelder), Idris was the drummer for classic albums and performances by Sam Cooke, Fats Domino and Curtis Mayfield and house drummer at the Apollo Theater. Original drummer for the Broadway musical hit, Hair. He was Roberta Flack's longtime drummer and worked extensively with Johnny Griffin, Pharaoh Sanders, George Coleman and Ahmad Jamal. As a leader, Idris has recorded with Grover Washington, Jr. and Randy Brecker.
(1939-2014) An innovator in soul, funk, R&B and jazz, and a major recording artist (including more than 130 albums for Rudy Van Gelder), Idris was the drummer for classic albums and performances by Sam Cooke, Fats Domino and Curtis Mayfield and house drummer at the Apollo Theater. Original drummer for the Broadway musical hit, Hair. He was Roberta Flack's longtime drummer and worked extensively with Johnny Griffin, Pharaoh Sanders, George Coleman and Ahmad Jamal. As a leader, Idris has recorded with Grover Washington, Jr. and Randy Brecker.
Billy Hart
Billy began his career playing for Shirley Horn. He was the regular drummer for Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner and Stan Getz. Among his more than 600 recordings are two for Miles Davis, Big Fun and On the Corner. Billy has played and recorded with Chick Corea, Andrew Hill, Joao Gilberto, Pharaoh Sanders, Wayne Shorter and Cecil Taylor. He was a founding member of the Mingus Dynasty and Quest. Billy teaches at several music conservatories and universities. He is the leader of the Billy Hart Quartet.
Billy began his career playing for Shirley Horn. He was the regular drummer for Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner and Stan Getz. Among his more than 600 recordings are two for Miles Davis, Big Fun and On the Corner. Billy has played and recorded with Chick Corea, Andrew Hill, Joao Gilberto, Pharaoh Sanders, Wayne Shorter and Cecil Taylor. He was a founding member of the Mingus Dynasty and Quest. Billy teaches at several music conservatories and universities. He is the leader of the Billy Hart Quartet.
Leroy Williams
Growing up in Chicago, Leroy played with bassist Wilbur Ware, saxophonist Eddie Harris and Miles Davis' future drummer Jack DeJohnette, who was then playing piano. Leroy has played and recorded with a host of jazz legends, including Pepper Adams, Ray Bryant, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan, Hank Mobley, Thelonious Monk, James Moody, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Rowles, Sonny Stitt, Teddy Wilson and Richard Wyands. Leroy is the drummer for the Barry Harris Trio.
Growing up in Chicago, Leroy played with bassist Wilbur Ware, saxophonist Eddie Harris and Miles Davis' future drummer Jack DeJohnette, who was then playing piano. Leroy has played and recorded with a host of jazz legends, including Pepper Adams, Ray Bryant, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan, Hank Mobley, Thelonious Monk, James Moody, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Rowles, Sonny Stitt, Teddy Wilson and Richard Wyands. Leroy is the drummer for the Barry Harris Trio.
Ben Riley
Ben was the drummer for Thelonious Monk for six years and was a band member with Ray Bryant, Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Ahmad Jamal and Sonny Rollins. He has played and recorded with Ron Carter, Milt Jackson, Sir Roland Hanna's New York Jazz Quartet, the New York Saxophone Quartet, Abdullah Ibrahim and Maria Muldaur. Ben is a co-founder of Sphere and is currently the leader of the Monk Tribute Band.
Ben was the drummer for Thelonious Monk for six years and was a band member with Ray Bryant, Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Ahmad Jamal and Sonny Rollins. He has played and recorded with Ron Carter, Milt Jackson, Sir Roland Hanna's New York Jazz Quartet, the New York Saxophone Quartet, Abdullah Ibrahim and Maria Muldaur. Ben is a co-founder of Sphere and is currently the leader of the Monk Tribute Band.
Sylvia Cuenca
Sylvia was the drummer for the legendary trumpeter Clark Terry for 17 years and shared the bandstand with saxophonist Joe Henderson for 4 years. She has toured the world as the drummer for artists such as Billy Taylor, Houston Person, Etta Jones, Kenny Barron, Randy Brecker, Kevin Mahgony and Charlie Hayden, and as the leader of her own groups. Sylvia is a long-time faculty member at the Stanford Jazz Workshop and has been an artist-in-residence at universities in the U.S. and Europe.