| Q.: *Who are your influences? What did you do to develop a rhythmic side to your music? Thanks- Derek |
| A.:
Wow. I have SO many influences, on so many instruments, from so many different genres, that even a summary list would take up far more space than this website would probably permit (and far more time than your patience could possibly stand).
To be a bit more specific, with regard to influences that have directly impacted the rhythmic side of my music: well, obviously jazz drummers like Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motion, Philly Joe Jones, Billy Higgins, Brian Blade, Gregory Hutchinson, to name just a few. Bassists such as Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Christian McBride. Pianists like Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau. And horn-players who have a great bounce and swing in their lines and an innate groove and pulse in their phrasing -- like Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Lester Young, Cannonball Adderly, Charlie Parker, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, etc.... Also, without a doubt, musics like funk, soul and hip-hop have had a huge influence on my sense of time and the way I feel and approach the beat. |
