Way Back Home Live From Rochester, NY Steve Gadd Band

• 1Green Foam (Live)08:31
• 2Cavaliero (Live)08:53
• 3Africa (Live)09:48
• 4Way Back Home (Live)09:40
• 5Bye Bye Blackbird (Live)06:31
• 6Desu (Live)07:27
• 7Oh, Yeah! (Live)09:26
• 8Them Changes (Live)06:51
• Total Runtime01:07:07

Info for Way Back Home Live From Rochester, NY

He’s only one of the greatest drummers on the planet: Steve Gadd. Greatness, for the purposes of this article, is defined by a combination of skill on the kit, diversity of genres, versatility as an ensemble player, sideman and leader, and, of course, longevity. Employing the same lineup for his 2015 release, 70 Strong, featuring live versions of selections from that album and Gadditude, as well as some older songs, Gadd comes back in concert with Way Back Home – Live from Rochester.

Near the end of the title track of the new album by the Steve Gadd Band, Gadd takes a knock-your-socks-off drum solo that brings the house down. The album, subtitled "Live from Rochester, NY," was recorded at the 2015 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.

The music is superb, by turns swinging and funky, ranging from Keith Jarrett's "The Windup" and "Bye Bye Blackbird" to "Them Changes," the Buddy Miles tune that provides another opportunity to show why Gadd is widely regarded as the world's best drummer. Interviews range from greats like Chuck Mangione and Tony Levin reminiscing about Gadd's days at the Eastman School of Music and beyond to local impresario Jeff Springut discussing the great bands Gadd played with at the legendary club Red Creek. It's not often you find a world-class album centered in Rochester; "Way Back Home" fits the bill.

Steve Gadd, drums
Jimmy Johnson, bass
Michael Landau, guitar
Kevin Hays, keyboards
Walt Fowler, trumpet, flugelhorn

Steve Gadd
is one of the most sought-after studio musicians, in the world. Regarded as one the most influential drummers in contemporary music, Gadd can play anything, easily bridging different musical styles. His feel, technique, and musicality on such tunes as Paul Simon's "Fifty Ways", Steely Dan's "Aja", and Chick Corea's "Nite Sprite" were so awe-inspiring and his concepts so innovative that they instantly assured his special position in the history of the percussive arts. Gadd attended the Manhattan School of Music for two years, and then went on to finish at Eastman School of Music. Prior to that, he studied privately with Bill and Stanley Street and John Beck. He established himself with the great Chuck Mangione, and then spent three years in the Army prior to coming to New York City for studio work in 1971. Gadd rapidly rose to prominence on the studio scene. His resume includes a variety of artists, including Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Aretha Franklin, Al DiMeola, Stanley Clarke, Rickie Lee Jones, Tom Scott, Frank Sinatra, and Stuff. After a period of touring and recording with his own band, the Gadd Gang, he provided the spark that ignited Paul Simon's South African inspired, Grammy Award-winning recordings and dynamic live touring band. Today, Gadd is as busy as ever, balancing frequent recording dates with a hectic touring schedule that includes high profile artists such as Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Kate Bush, and Paul Simon. He also has been equally passionate about producing some personal projects on which he also plays drums: The Gaddabouts (w/Edie Brickell, Andy Fairweather Low, & Pino Palladino), Mikarimba (w/Mika Stoltzman & Eddie Gomez), Steve Gadd & Friends, L’Image (w/Tony Levin, Mike Mainieri, Dave Spinozza, & Warren Bernhardt), Pedro Martinez Group, and...Steve Gadd Band!

This album contains no booklet.