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 Jeff "Tain" Watts was born in Pittsburgh.
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One of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world
today, Jeff initially 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:
"Citizen Tain" (Sony 1999),
"Bar Talk" (Sony 2002),
"MegaWatts"
(Sunnyside 2003)
"Detained, Live at the Blue Note" (Half Note
2004) and
"Folk's Songs" (Dark Key Music 2007)
"WATTS" (Dark Key Music 2009)
Jeff was the producer for "Bar
Talk", "Detained" Dark Key Music releases, "Folk's Songs" and "WATTS".
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.
*Grammy Awards of 1986
Wynton Marsalis for Black Codes From the Underground performed by the Wynton Marsalis Group
*Grammy Awards of 1987
Wynton Marsalis for J Mood performed by the Wynton Marsalis Group
*Grammy Awards of 1988
Wynton Marsalis for Marsalis Standard Time - Volume I performed by the Wynton Marsalis Group
*Grammy Awards of 1993
Branford Marsalis for I Heard You Twice the First Time performed by the Branford Marsalis Group
*Grammy Awards of 2001
Branford Marsalis for Contemporary Jazz performed by the Branford Marsalis Quartet
VOTED BEST DRUMMER, MODERN DRUMMER MAGAZINE, 1988 & 1993
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