April 9, 1945

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Drummer and percussionist Stephen Kendall “Steve” Gadd was born April 9, 1945 in Irondequoit, New York, a suburb of Rochester.

Influenced by jazz percussionists such as Elvin Jones and Buddy Rich, his drum career began in the late ’60s.

A session player in high demand he has performed with many different musicians in many different genres.

Steve Gadd has collaborated with such jazz giants as saxophonist David Sanborn, trumpeter Chet Baker, keyboardist Chick Corea and saxophonist Paul Desmond. The performance above comes from 1985.

Appraising Gadd, Corea once remarked that every drummer “wants to play like Gadd because he plays perfect.” Added Corea, He has brought orchestral and compositional thinking to the drum kit,” praising Gadd’s “great imagination and a great ability to swing.”

Personnel:

Steve Gadd, drums
Eddie Gomez, bass
George Young, reeds
Warren Bernhardt, keyboard
Ack Van Rooyen, trumpet

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