Jeff "Tain" Watts
Jeff Tain Watts is one of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today. Jeff Watts majored in classical percussion at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University, where he was primarily a timpanist, followed by enrollment at the Berklee School of Music, where he pursued jazz studies alongside such talented players as Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, Aimee Mann, Steve Vai and Marvin Smitty Smith.
Jeff joined the Wynton Marsalis Quartet in 1981 and proceeded to win three Grammy Awards with the ensemble. Watts left Wynton Marsalis in 1988. After working with George Benson, Harry Connick. Jr. and McCoy Tyner, he joined the Branford Marsalis Quartet in 1989.
Jeff has worked in the film and television industry as both a musician on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and as an actor, Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee’s Mo Better Blues. Jeff joined Kenny Garrett's band after returning to New York in 1995 after three years in LA on the Tonight Show. Watts also continued to record and tour with Branford Marsalis as well as Danilo Perez, Michael Brecker, Betty Carter, Kenny Kirkland, Courtney Pine, Geri Allen, Alice Coltrane, Greg Osby, Steve Coleman, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Ravi Coltrane.
Jeff has an extensive discography as a side-man, as well as six albums as a leader: WATTS (Dark Key Music 2009) Folk's Songs (Dark Key Music 2007) Detained, Live at the Blue Note (Half Note 2004) MegaWatts (Sunnyside 2004) Bar Talk (Sony 2002) and Citizen Tain (Sony 1999)
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Album Review
- Days Like These by Dan Bilawsky
In Pictures
Album Review
- Tales & Tones by Jerome Wilson
- Tales & Tones by Geannine Reid
Live Review
Album Review
Interview
Album Review
- Quartet by Jeff Stockton
- Folk's Songs by Woodrow Wilkins
September 06, 2017
5th Annual Central Jersey Jazz Festival: September 15-17, 2017
October 11, 2012
Guitarist/Composer David Gilmore Releases "Numerology" "Live at the...
April 22, 2011
Two for Tain!: Jeff "Tain" Watts - Family and Laura Kahle - Circular...
February 26, 2009
January 20, 2009
Jazz Musician of the Day: Jeff "Tain" Watts
January 18, 2009
Drummer/Bandleader Jeff "Tain" Watts Interviewed at AAJ
September 17, 2007
Drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts Interviewed at AAJ
May 13, 2007
The Jazz Session: Jeff "Tain" Watts
July 19, 2006
Dekel Bor, Francois Moutin, Jeff "Tain" Watts Upcoming Performance Dates
February 25, 2003
Jeff "Tain" Watts Quintet at the Iridium Jazz Club Feb. 25-March 2
Primary Instrument
Drums
Photos
Albums
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