Steve Gadd (left) and Chick Corea co-lead a band this week at Blues Alley (Photo by C. Taylor Crothers, courtesy Chick Corea Productions).
You may not know who Steve Gadd is, but you’ve probably heard his playing. One of the most celebrated drummers of all time, he has played on countless recording sessions, ranging from pop hits to jazz recordings to TV commercial jingles.
Among Gadd’s most recognized grooves are Paul Simon’s “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” and “Late In The Evening”, Steely Dan’s “Aja”, and some credit him with laying the foundation for disco drumming via his performance on Van McCoy’s “The Hustle.” The 1980s and into the new millennium saw Gadd having lengthy stints with jazz singer Al Jarreau, singer-songwriter James Taylor, and several albums and tours with guitar god Eric Clapton. During all of this the 72-year old master also put out a number of recordings as a band leader with The Gadd Gang, The Gaddabouts, and most recently with The Steve Gadd Band.
“My mindset is to just do the best I can, with all the experience I’ve built up. That’s pretty much what I bring to the table,” Gadd recently told DCist.
Gadd has a long history with the D.C. area, as his early career included three years with the U.S. Army Field Band, stationed at Fort Meade. This week, Gadd returns to the District to revisit one of his defining collaborations, as he and jazz icon Chick Corea co-lead a band for a run of shows at Blues Alley.
Corea has been at the cutting edge of jazz since the late ’60s. His album, Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (1968), is a masterpiece of the piano trio format. He subsequently joined Miles Davis’ band as jazz went electric. Chick Corea’s Elektric Band helped give rise to smooth jazz in the ’80s and at 76-years old, Corea continues to innovate and shows few signs of slowing down.
Gadd and Corea first came together over 45 years ago, when Gadd served as the original drummer to Corea’s pioneering fusion outfit, Return To Forever. Although Gadd left that group before it made any of its initial recordings, he rejoined Corea from the mid- to late-’70s, playing on a string of albums that includes The Leprechaun, Three Quartets, and Friends, all of which are considered jazz classics (check out “Nite Sprite” off The Leprechaun as another example of a seminal Gadd performance).
“It’s hard to describe the relationship,” Gadd said of the partnership he shares with Corea. “I love his writing and it’s hard for me to talk about it, you just have to hear it.”
Corea and Gadd recruited an outstanding set of musicians to join them on their current tour. The lineup includes saxophonist Steve Wilson, guitarist Lionel Loueke, bassist Carlitos Del Puerto, and percussionist Luisito Quintero. Gadd has played with Del Puerto and Quintero in the past, giving the rhythm section the cohesion it needs to drive Corea’s challenging music, but this tour is the first time he is sharing the stage with Wilson and Loueke. Nearly all of the players in this sextet also run their own bands, so while it may be difficult to align schedules, Gadd hopes that this ensemble continues on into the future.
“I love those guys,” Gadd said of his bandmates. “They all bring something to the table and they are great guys.”
Audiences at Blues Alley can expect a mix of old and new material. The band will be playing compositions that date back to the ’70s, but also a number of new songs that it recorded for a forthcoming album. Gadd believes the new material is just as captivating as the classics, so he’s not too worried about listeners being able to find a hook into the music.
“It’s a fun band, it’s exciting,” he said. “The grooves are good and strong and we have fun on the bandstand, and hope the audience is sharing those feelings.”
The Chick Corea-Steve Gadd Band plays at Blues Alley from Oct. 5-8. 8 and 10 p.m. sets $115-$125 plus minimum and surcharge.
