Home » Jazz Musicians » Jeff Tain Watts

Jeff Tain Watts

Jeff "Tain" Watts is one of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today. Jeff Watts majored in classical percussion at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University, where he was primarily a timpanist, followed by enrollment at the Berklee School of Music, where he pursued jazz studies alongside such talented players as Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, Aimee Mann, Steve Vai and Marvin "Smitty" Smith. Jeff joined the Wynton Marsalis Quartet in 1981 and proceeded to win three Grammy Awards with the ensemble. Watts left Wynton Marsalis in 1988. After working with George Benson, Harry Connick. Jr. and McCoy Tyner, he joined the Branford Marsalis Quartet in 1989. Jeff has worked in the film and television industry as both a musician on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and as an actor, Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee’s "Mo Better Blues". Jeff joined Kenny Garrett's band after returning to New York in 1995 after three years in LA on the Tonight Show. Watts also continued to record and tour with Branford Marsalis as well as Danilo Perez, Michael Brecker, Betty Carter, Kenny Kirkland, Courtney Pine, Geri Allen, Alice Coltrane, Greg Osby, Steve Coleman, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Ravi Coltrane. Jeff has an extensive discography as a side-man, as well as six albums as a leader: "WATTS" (Dark Key Music 2009) "Folk's Songs (Dark Key Music 2007) "Detained, Live at the Blue Note" (Half Note 2004) "MegaWatts" (Sunnyside 2004) "Bar Talk" (Sony 2002) and "Citizen Tain" (Sony 1999) Along with explosive power, blinding speed and mastery of complex rhythms and time signatures, Watts brings a rare sense of elegance, tried-by-fire composure, and a gritty street funk to his music. His artistic ingenuity expresses itself in his incomparable technique, sweltering sense of swing, and an extraordinary ability to imbue his music with majestic grace and elegant repose. A true jazz innovator, Watts never fails to deliver the percussive magic that has been his trademark since his emergence on the contemporary jazz scene.

Awards

Voted best drummer Modern Drummer Magazine: 1988 & 1993.

Gear

Sonor drums Sabian cymbals Vic Firth malletts, brushes & 7A sticks

Doug Wamble: Blues in the Present Tense

Read "Blues in the Present Tense" reviewed by Vic Albani

by Vic Albani
April 16, 2024

I testi cantati del “Blues al presente" di Doug Wamble parlano degli americani “turlupinati" dal cinismo del signor Donald Trump: «Non leggere i loro giornali / Non guardare le loro news / Non cominciare a pensare, baby», canta Wamble in “Blues in the Present Tense," mettendosi proprio nei panni del discusso personaggio mettendo in qualche modo in guardia i connazionali in relazione alle prossime presidenziali. Trattandosi di una realtà quale quella statunitense, l'uso del blues quale “strumento di trasmissione," sembrerebbe ...

Liner Notes

David Kikoski: Surf's Up

by C. Andrew Hovan
June 17, 2023

It seems that the show tunes of the '30s, '40s, and '50s have served as fodder for several generations of jazz musicians, either providing their own melodies for subsequent development or lending their harmonic framework for the jazz writer to use as a basis for an original tune. Most recently, we've seen attention begin to shift to popular material of the current set with some interesting results. Pianist Kenny Barron has recorded a delicate version of Sting's “Fragile," Bob Belden ...

Liner Notes

Conrad Herwig: Land of Shadow

by C. Andrew Hovan
May 1, 2023

In the spirit of Miles Davis and a select number of his followers, Conrad Herwig in the course of his musical endeavors spanning some 20 years has strived to keep the music inching forward to new and previously undiscovered vistas. His versatility as demonstrated by an ability to transcend genres, be it Eddie Palmieri's Afro-Cuban muse or the repertory bent of the Mingus Big Band, also raises its head in his outstanding series of Criss Cross recordings that began with ...

Album Review

Michael Feinberg: Hard Times

Read "Hard Times" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
March 22, 2022

Although the Covid pandemic has been devastating to the artistic community, and certainly jazz musicians are no exception, albums like Michael Feinberg's Hard Times point to the possibility of hopeful resilience. With a top-shelf bunch of colleagues and smart compositions with rhythmically crafty arrangements, the bassist's eighth release is a winner, with a plucky spirit and satisfying grooves in abundance. Feinberg pulled this band together in October 2020, and with folks like drummer Jeff Tain" Watts and pianist ...

Album Review

Dino Govoni: Hiding in Plain Sight

Read "Hiding in Plain Sight" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
December 5, 2021

Tenor saxophonist Dino Govoni acquits himself well on the curiously-titled Hiding in Plain Sight, his third album for Whaling City Sound, as do his colleagues on this basically bop-leaning, mainly quintet studio date. The qualifier “mainly" is necessary because trumpeter Alex Sipiagin performs on only five of the album's nine tracks. On the others, Govoni is cradled by his capable rhythm section, pianist Henry Hey, bassist Michael Pope and drummer Jeff “Tain" Watts. Each of the numbers ...

Album Review

Eric Wyatt: A Song of Hope

Read "A Song of Hope" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
October 25, 2021

On A Song of Hope, his second album for Whaling City Sound, saxophonist Eric Wyatt offers more than hope; he offers assurance that contemporary jazz is alive and well in and around his home base of Brooklyn, NY. Wyatt, the godson of another rather well-known saxophonist, Sonny Rollins, performs in groups of various sizes, from quartet to octet, with vocals by Samara Joy on two numbers, “Fragile" and Wyatt's “Say Her Name." The almost-constants are pianist Donald Vega, bassist Eric ...

Album Review

Benito Gonzalez: Sing To The World

Read "Sing To The World" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
May 7, 2021

Unbridled rhythmic fury fueled by a rich harmonic underbelly is the essence of Sing To The World. Pianist Benito Gonzalez has once again assembled a vibrant cast that flourishes on ten original creations. Inventive and energetic, the ensemble gels in the moment and establishes interplay with rich and intelligent conversation. The depth and articulation comes as no surprise, with reference to his previous works as a leader and the seven years Gonzalez spent as a member of Kenny Garrett's band. ...

Festival

5th Annual Central Jersey Jazz Festival: September 15-17, 2017

Source: Virginia DeBerry
September 7, 2017

The 5th Annual Central Jersey Jazz Festival, a three day, FREE, mega-musical event will take place Friday, September 15, 6PM to 10PM in Flemington, Saturday, September 16, 1PM to 6PM in New Brunswick and Sunday, September 17, 1PM to 6PM in Somerville. All events are BYO seating and will take place rain or shine. The Central Jersey Jazz Festival is a result of an unprecedented collaborative partnership of three New Jersey County seats- Flemington, New Brunswick and Somerville, working in ...
read more

151

Recording

Two for Tain!: Jeff "Tain" Watts - Family and Laura Kahle - Circular (2011)

Source: Something Else!
April 22, 2011

It's been a couple of years since we last heard from pre-eminent jazz rhythmist Jeff “Tain" Watts, when his star-studded engagement Watts was introduced. This past April 19, Watts' own Dark Key Music label trotted out two new records, one by the thirty-year vet Watts, and the first one by an Australian-born pocket trumpet player by the name of Laura Kahle. There’s more that brings these two records together than the simple fact that they are coming from the same ...
read more

175

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jeff "Tain" Watts

Source: Michael Ricci
January 20, 2009

All About Jazz is celebrating Jeff “Tain" Watts' birthday today!

JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Jeff “Tain" Watts

Jeff “Tain" Watts is one of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today. Jeff Watts majored in classical percussion at Pittsburgh\'s Duquesne University, where he was primarily a timpanist... more

Website | Videos | Articles

Join Jeff “Tain" Watts' fan network

Put AAJ's Musician of the Day box on ...
read more

189

Interview

Drummer/Bandleader Jeff "Tain" Watts Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
January 19, 2009

The most visible and exciting drummer of his generation, Jeff “Tain" Watts burst into the jazz spotlight in the early '80s as a member of Wynton Marsalis' first quintet and into the general public's eye in the role of Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues (1990) and as a member of The Tonight Show band led by Branford Marsalis, in whose quartet he's drummed for over 25 years. Since leaving the world of television and returning to ...
read more

130

Interview

Drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
October 15, 2007

If you've listened to any jazz at all in the past couple decades, you've probably heard drummer Jeff “Tain" Watts. His discography is long and impressive, including appearances on many Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed recordings by various men named Marsalis. He's also led several of his own dates, including the new album Folk's Songs (Dark Key Music, 2007) with his band The Ebonix.

All About Jazz contributor Jason Crane talked with Watts about his roots, his musical relationships, and the ...
read more

126

Event

Michiel Borstlap / Essiet Essiet / Jeff Tain Watts - Live in New York

Source: All About Jazz
February 16, 2006

209

Performance / Tour

Guitarist Adam Rogers with Chris Potter, James Genus, Jeff Tain Watts November 6 @ Jazz Gallery

Source: All About Jazz
October 28, 2003

November 6th with Chris Potter, James Genus, Jeff Tain Watts $12 / 9pm & 10:30pm / 212-242-1063 290 Hudson Street @ Spring Street

Adam Rogers has forged a reputation as one of the best finest guitarists in the world by way of his starring role with many of the greatest in jazz, pop and world music: Walter Becker (of Steely Dan); Brian Blade; Terence Blanchard; Michael and Randy Brecker; Regina Carter; Ravi Coltrane; Larry Coryell; Elvis ...
read more