Steve Gadd (born on April 9, 1945) is an American drummer, percussionist, and session musician. According to my source, he is one of the most highly acclaimed and recognized musicians across the board.
Genres considered - Rock, Pop, Jazz Fusion, Blues
In 1984, Steve Gadd was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame.
Steve has worked with such well-known artists as Steely Dan, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Chick Corea, Eric Clapton, and David Gilmour to name a few.
After high sch0ol, Steve attended Eastman School of Music and graduated in 1968. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the United States Army and for three years played the drums in the United States Army Field Band.
Career highlights -
- Steve Gadd provided drums in the recording of Gap Mangione's 1968 album, Diana in the Autumn Wind.
- In 1973, Steve Gadd backed such jazz artists as Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Jim Hall, and many others during recording sessions.
- In 1977, Steve provided drums on the title track of Steely Dan's album, Aja.
- In 1981, Steve played drums for Simon and Garfunkel's Concert in Central Park.
- Steve Gadd was a member of the Manhattan Jazz Quintet from 1983 to 1987 and are best known in Japan.
- In the whole of 1991, Steve toured with Paul Simon.
- From 1994 to 1996 and again from 1997 to 2004, Steve recorded and toured with Eric Clapton.
- In 1997, Steve embarked on a world tour with French jazz artist Michel Petrucciani and bassist, Anthony Jackson.
- Gadd contributed to the blues album, Riding with the King, along with B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and others.
- In 2009, Gadd played with Eric Clapton's band eleven nights at Royal Albert Hall.
- In 2009, Steve reunited with the jazz fusion band, L'Image, formed early into his formal career. L'Image toured Japan and Europe & released L'Image 2.0.
- Steve has toured with James Taylor.
- He entered a soul-jazz trio with saxophonist, Michael Blicher, and Dan Hemmer on the Hammond organ. Blicher Hemmer Gadd has recorded and released four albums.
- Steve authored the book Gaddiments which covered the rudiments of drumming.
Personal influences include Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, and Rick Marotta.
Steve uses Yamaha drums, pedals and hardware, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads, Latin Percussion, Earthworks microphones, Vic Firth sticks and brushes, and Beato bags.
Further, he uses the Steve Gadd Commemorative kit customized by Yamaha in honor of his 30th anniversary with the brand.
The backstory to Steve Gadd's collection and instruments used beyond a drum kit is extensive and would be exhaustive to write here, so follow the Wikipedia link below.
As a bandleader, Steve Gadd has worked on 13 albums from 1984 to 2018. As a member of the Manhattan Jazz Quintet, he has worked on 9 albums from 1985 to 2008. As a member of Blicher Hemmer Gadd, he has worked on 4 albums from 2014 to 2023.
Honors -
- Honorary Doctor of Music by Berklee School of Music (2005)
- Grammy Award nomination (2017)
Category - Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Album - Way Back Home
- Grammy Award win (2018)
Category - Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Album - Steve Gadd Band
- Blicher Hemmer Gadd - Danish Grammy Award nomination (2017)
Category - Best Instrumental Jazz Album
Album - Omara
My source shines on Steve Gadd in words. Let Steve Gadd shine through YouTube.
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