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Steve Gadd - Honoree
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One of the most influential drummers of all time, Steve Gadd set a new standard in contemporary drumming techniques and performance, and in doing so
launched a thousand imitators. Having recorded legendary drum performances such as "Aja", "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" and "Nite Sprite", there is no drummer alive today who has not been effected by Steve Gadd in some way. His influence is still very much felt in the music around us and can be heard in the playing of today's from Vinnie Colaiuta to Carter Beauford. To this day, there is no one who can get "inside" a tune and find the "pocket" quite like the great Steve Gadd.
Steve was born on April 9, 1945 in Rochester, New York. His incredibly prolific career started out with tap-dancing at a small Rochester club alongside his brother. Steve began to sit in with local musicians and bands, setting the stage for his future musical career. He was both inspired, and encouraged to play the drums by his uncle, who had been playing the drums in the Army. At the young age of seven, he began to take drum lessons, eventually from the likes of John Beck, and Bill and Stanley Street, and by the age of eleven, he had developed chops good enough to sit in with Dizzy Gillespie. Steve attended the Manhattan School of Music for two years, and then finished up his studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.
After graduating from Eastman, Steve was drafted into the Army. While carrying out his three-year tour of duty, he ended up playing drums in the military band. After leaving the Army, Steve began gigging with a big band in the Rochester area and in 1972, formed a trio with Tony Levin and Mike Holmes. It was after relocating to New York City that Steve became one of the most sought after studio musicians on the scene. Steve came into his own as a studio musician, worked with such legends as Chick Corea, Paul Simon, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, Bob James, Nancy Wilson and Joe Cocker to name a few.
Throughout the 70's and 80's, Steve Cut five albums with Chick Corea, several albums with Al DiMeola including Al's Electric Rendezvous, and recorded and toured with Gato Barbieri, George Benson, Stanley Clarke, Steely Dan, Joe Cocker, Maynard Ferguson, Roberta Flack, Jim Hall and of course, Paul Simon. In 1976 Steve became a member of the group Stuff with Gordon Edwards, Richard Tee, Eric Gale, Cornell Dupree and Chris Parker, while continuing his heavy schedule of studio work. Towards the end of the 80's, Steve had not only become one of the most in-demand drummers, but he had also become one of the most imitated, and revered drummers in the world.
The 90's saw Steve become Eric Clapton's first call drummer, solidifying Steve's reputation as one of the most accomplished and skilled drummers of his generation. Today Steve is just as busy as ever, carrying one of the most intense recording and touring schedules in the business. He regularly spends time in the studio and on the road with Eric Clapton, Paul Simon and James Taylor.
Steve Gadd's influence on the drumming community cannot be underestimated. His trademark sound is a product of his extraordinary feel, imagination, and ability, and he has forever left his mark on the history of music.
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