Abbey Rader

Abbey Rader is a musician and composer who has dedicated his life to playing improvised music as part of a spiritual quest for deeper meaning. He is heavily influenced by his study of Buddhism under the tutelage of the Master Sheng Yen, beginning in 1975 at the Ch’an Center in Queens, New York. His career spans over four decades with a discography that includes 26 albums, the majority under his leadership. He lived in Europe in the late 70s and 80s where he performed with John Handy, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Gunter Hampel, Jeanne Lee, Marion Brown, Mal Waldron, and had his own band, The Right Time. He was a clinician for Sonor drums for many years and taught jazz drum set studies at several universities in Germany. Since returning to America, he has performed and recorded with Dave Liebman, Billy Bang, Frank Lowe, Ed Schuller, Kidd Jordan and many others.

Gear

Abbey Rader endorses Sonor Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Pro- Mark Drumsticks and Beato Bags.

Album Reviews

Second Gathering by Hrayr Attarian
Phenobarbital Sessions by Hrayr Attarian
Ritual by Hrayr Attarian

Multiple Reviews

Abbey Rader in the Spotlight: Ritual and Phenobarbital Sessions

Album Reviews

First Gathering by John Sharpe
Reunion by John Sharpe
Reunion by Hrayr Attarian
It's Time by Hrayr Attarian
First Gathering by Hrayr Attarian

Film Reviews

Abbey Rader Get Free

Album Reviews

The Message by Hrayr Attarian
Reach For The Skies by Hrayr Attarian
Reach For The Skies by Mark Corroto

“Abbey Rader is an unheralded legend of free jazz.”
-Mark Corroto, AllAboutJazz.com

“The intrepid and unfettered spirit of the 1960s jazz is alive and thriving in the 21st century and works by the likes of Abbey Rader and his colleagues are the reason why.”
-Hrayr Attarian, AllAboutJazz.com

“Abbey Rader’s training in Chinese Buddhism and martial arts coincides well with his skills as a virtuosic, precision-driven jazz drummer. A Bronx native, Rader has shown a tremendous versatility in his artistic output. His music gleans from Eastern and African sensibilities, mixing in the bebop that has influenced him the most.”
-Jorge Velasquez, Flavorpill

“At the center of the storm sits the beatific Rader