Not many artists have the vision and artistic energy to be Grammy winners and contribute to so many genres: jazz, rock, hip-hop, ambient, et al, while concurrently producing, touring, creating new projects, working on films, and continually pushing the envelope. Will Calhoun has this creative vision, and he is doing an extraordinary job keeping music a spiritual and motivating force in his life.
Famous for his work with Living Colour, including two Grammys, Will has recorded and/or toured and performed with diverse artists including Living Colour, Mick Jagger, Mos Def, Oumou Sangare, Marcus Miller, and Wayne Shorter (on the Grammy-winning CD, High Life).
After releasing several solo drum/electronic albums and (with Doug Wimbish and Vinx) forming the groundbreaking band JUNGLE FUNK in the late 90’s, Will released his first solo jazz CD, which was Grammy-nominated in 2000: The Will Calhoun Quintet: Live at the Blue Note.
Will’s 2005 creation Native Lands is his follow-up release on Half Note Records. The album can be described as Jazz meets World, coupled with trance-inducing urban music. This dual disc (CD/DVD) combines Calhoun’s experiences as he marries his far reaching interests in a genre-bending collection that taps key expressionists from various backgrounds. Among those contributing are Pharaoh Sanders, Mos Def, Buster Williams, Stanley Jordan, Kevin Eubanks, Marcus Miller and Wallace Roney, as well as Nana Vasconcelos from Brazil and Cheick Tidiane Seck from Mali.
Forthcoming in 2013 on multi-Grammy-nominated Motéma Music is a new CD exploring his jazz roots. This recording will feature such artists as Ron Carter, Donald Harrison, Wallace Roney, and more. Some songs were premiered at the Blue Note in 2012 (see link below.) Will’s song writing, arrangements and drumming on this CD are ground breaking. Down Beat Magazine, Jazz Times, and BillBoard Magazine have given his earlier CD, Live at the Blue Note, top ratings, and expect no less from this new effort.
Please call (212) 741-0091 X104 for information on lessons with Will, or email us at [email protected]
