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Eric Kamau Gravatt & Source Code |
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Written by Don Berryman
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Monday, 30 January 2006 |
"The first time I saw Eric play was at the Keystone Corner in San Francisco, and seeing him play changed my life. There isn't - and maybe never will be - anyone who plays drums with that much intensity. I never fail to mention Eric at my clinics. I was greatly drawn to his aura behind the kit. And I tried to learn everything that Eric played.". -Drummer Terry Bozzio says of Gravatt in Drummerworld
 Photo by Andrea Canter
Eric Kamau Gravatt brings his band, Source Code to the Artists' Quarter this week-end. In the software world, "Source Code" is the name of a collection of intructions as written to generate the programs that run on our computers, PDA's, cell-phones and toasters. Gravatt's Source Code will generate unique and engaging music using the music of the jazz maters like Monk, Coltrane, and Jackie McLean, among others as their source.
Eric Kamau Gravatt was born in Philadelphia but has lived in the Twin Cities for the past 30 years when he made a choice. He hasrecorded with many greats including Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Joe Zawinul, and Ron Carter. Eric toured Japan with Weather Report and Europe with McCoy Tyner several times. Many locals also fondly remember Gravatt as the powerhouse behind the legendary Minneapolis fusion band Natural Life with the late great Bobby Peterson and Bob Rockwell. He also runs a recording facility and a small publishing company, 1619 Music.
Eric has kept mostly out of the limelight to raise a family in Minnesota for the past 30 years. Having retired from his 'day job' as a prison guard, he is diving back into music full time and recording again. Those of us who have caught his band at the Artists' Quarter over the past few years know what an intense and expressive player he his. Those who haven't heard hin better hurry. Sadly for us here in Minnesota, he has mentioned plans to move back to Philedelphia. Catch him while you can, and you can catch him with his band, Source Code this week-end, February 3rd and 4th at the Artists'Quater in Saint Paul.
 David Hagedorn, Photo by Andrea Canter
The rest of the band:
On vibes we have David Hagedorn. He is an Artist in Residence in the Music Department at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he teaches percussion, jazz studies and world music. He directs the St. Olaf jazz emsembles. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Percussion Performance from the Eastman School of Music, as well as various music-related degrees from the New England Conservatory and the University of Minnesota. His 2003 CD SOLIDLIQUID was released on Artegra Records. He studied with, and has toured nationally with, George Russell and appeared on Russell's recordings So What and The African Game. He performs with numerous groups in town at almost every jazz venue.
On trombone is David Leigh, who directed high school band in Chicago for fifteen years. Leigh has performed with a wide range of artists from Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Tommy Dorsey, and Ray Anthony to The Wolverines and "Irish" Jim Tolck. He has also played shows for The Mills Brothers, Milton Berle, Mel Torme, Frankie Avalon, and Elvis Presley.
 Dean Brewington, Photo by Andrea Canter
Bassist Ron Evaniuk plays with the Americana Classic Jazz Orchestra (devoted to the big band music of the 20s and 30s) and his own quartet, and recorded with Twin Cities trumpet legend Gene Adams, in addition to his work with Gravatt and Source Code.
"Gravatt's cymbal work is gorgeous... He always adds appropriate accents and his playing accommodates the various styles of the compositions -- whether it is a free-form escapade, a romantic waltz, or a solemn march." - All music guide.
Catch Eric Kanau Gravatt and Source Code this week-end, February 3rd and 4th with sets at 9 and 11 PM at the Artists' Quarter in Saint Paul.
Full calendar and information available at the AQ website, www.mnjazz.com or call (651) 292-1359. |
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 Tuesday, 02 December 2008
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