ABOUT Gregory Hutchinson
SESSION TITLE: All Styles
Drummer Gregory Hutchinson is one of the most highly-regarded musicians of his generation. Hailed for his work performing and recording with countless jazz greats, the vanguard of hip-hop, R&B, and Neo-soul, the 53- year-old is now making the bold decision to reinvent himself. Spurred on by a cataclysmic divorce, Hutchinson emerges triumphantly as a bravely emotive and fearlessly innovative songwriter with his first-ever solo album, Da Bang (Warner Music), out September 29th.
Jazz Magazine has praised Hutchinson as “the drummer of his generation.” This is an apt acclaim indeed, as Hutchinson has worked with jazz musicians from almost every era, including Betty Carter, Red Rodney, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Dianne Reeves, Lou Donaldson, Wynton Marsalis, John Scofield, Diana Krall, and Harry Connick Jr, to name a few. Yet, his restless creativity, innovative playing, and open-mindedness have earned him plaudits from the hip-hop, Neo-soul, and R&B communities as well. This innovative mindset has led to collaboration with Ledisi, Common, producer and drummer Karriem Riggins (Kanye West, J Dilla, Paul McCartney), and James Poysner, among others. Hutchinson would go on to study with the greats, and become one of those greats himself, appearing on over 160 recordings. Once he was in the jazz firmament, however, Hutchinson began to experience epiphanies while performing outside of the jazz establishment. “I would go on tour with Common and see how my bass drum could move 7,000 people. There was this energy exchange, and it was powerful. I wanted to bring that back to jazz,” Hutchinson says. Hutchinson will be performing his solo music while continuing his legacy as a first-call jazz, hip-hop, Neo-soul, and R&B drummer and educator. “With this new music, I hope to continue my journey,” he says.
Hutchinson plays Pearl, Paiste, Vic Firth, Audeze, Remo drum heads, and Roland.
