BRATTLEBORO — Get funky with two-time Grammy-winning drummer Nate Smith at the Vermont Jazz Center on Saturday, Feb. 21, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Smith is known for his work with the Fearless Flyers, Dave Holland, Brittany Howard, Jon Batiste, and many others. He is the recipient of two Grammy awards: Best Alternative Jazz Album for “Live Action” and Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for the song “Big Fish” featuring säje.
This concert kicks off a tour that Smith is leading with his current trio including pianist/keyboardist Jacob Pollack (J3PO) and electric bassist CARRTOONS (Ben Carr).
Smith is considered a “deep pocket” drummer, a drummer who thrives on creating a unified groove with his bandmates. When an ensemble is “in the pocket,” each instrument locks into their own part and considers the overall group sound paramount. Pocket always involves playing with other musicians. The characteristics of Smith’s sound are solid time, a commitment to the natural build of an arrangement, funky when needed, not overly busy, and always responsive to the moment, according to a VJC news release.
Smith’s latest album, the twice Grammy-nominated “Live Action,” is a snapshot of the more mature (age 50) Nate Smith. The music has a retro cover illustrating the bevy of keyboards and drums that he plays. Many of the sounds and grooves he conjures embrace the analog music of the ’70s and were inspired by his father’s record collection.
Appearing at VJC with Smith is Pollack, a Los Angeles-based pianist & keyboardist who was featured on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz in his late teens, when he came to New York City as a child prodigy. Now back in LA, Pollack is primarily known for his keyboard work and sound design, especially using analog synths, FX pedals, and contemporary keyboards. His style often blurs the lines between jazz, experimental hip-hop, and modern electronic genres. The trio’s bassist is New York-based multi-instrumentalist Ben Carr, known for his eye-catching social media videos, live performances, and the success of his recordings as a leader. He has collaborated with pivotal names including Usher, Freddie Gibbs, Roy Ayers, Kiefer, George Clinton, Jadakiss and others.
The Vermont Jazz Center thanks Sonic Circus and a friend of the VJC’s Educational Programs for supporting this event. The VJC also expressed appreciation for the support of the Vermont Arts Council, and media support from The Commons and The Brattleboro Reformer.
The Vermont Jazz Center is located at 72 Cotton Mill Hill, #222. Admission is $25+ general admission (sliding scale). Tickets are available online at www.vtjazz.org, by email at [email protected] by phone 802-254-9088 ext. 1.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.reformer.com ’
