Roy “Futureman” Wooten is a five-time Grammy Award-winning, American musician. Internationally known as the inventor of the Drumitar and percussionist/founding member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, he has reached unprecedented heights within the possibilities of percussion and composition. Whether playing traditional drums with a jazz combo, conducting his own symphony, or performing with the Flecktones, Futureman continues to reinvent and fascinate audiences and peers alike with each recent development in his mysterious world of creation. He is the second eldest of the Wooten Brothers (five brothers known for playing their respective instruments with paralyzing skill). As young children they began playing in the front yard for passers by and eventually went on to join the Arista Records roster and open for such acts as WAR, Curtis Mayfield, the Temptations, and Stephanie Mills. Futureman is the drummer of the bunch, but his insatiable thirst for innovation, technology, and exploration eventually resulted in the advent of the Drumitar, an instrument of his own invention which incorporates MIDI, trigger pads, and drum samples.
At the time, he was playing with his brothers as well as a band called Faces in Virginia. Soon thereafter he got a call from Bela Fleck in Nashville, TN and before too long would become a founding member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. At an early Flecktones gig at The Station Inn, Mark O’Connor and Jerry Douglas declared Roy to be some type of ‘future man.’ The nickname stuck and has since served appropriately and well as his alias to the world and pseudonym for his accomplishments. After two decades, several world tours, and five Grammy Awards, Futureman became known to many for his Drumitar playing (and signature tri-cone hat) with this group of innovators. The Flecktones’ sonic image is unlike any other in the world of jazz, and they have toured with acts such as Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, Return to Forever, Herbie Hancock, and Tony Williams. Additionally, Futureman has recorded and/or performed with Whitney Houston, Kenny G, and Branford Marsalis. The most momentous compliment, however, is when jazz drumming legend Max Roach remarked that Futureman’s is “the most creative approach to drumming” he had ever seen.
Outside of the Flecktones and beyond Jazz, Futureman has made strides in Classical music, but - like most of his endeavors – a number of exceptions must be noted. As if advanced composition were not enough, he has rehearsed, conducted, and premiered each of his own pieces. The most significant exception, however, is the compositional process itself. Though it should be no surprise, Futureman wrote these works on melodic, piano-like instruments of his own invention (The RoyEl and The Dorothy Graye), which resulted from his desire to play with the greatest possible emotional sensitivity. From these instruments came Evolution D’Amour, Evolution de la Musique, and his current project, The Black Mozart, which marks several artistic and technological firsts.
This new and revolutionary symphonic work shows all the familiar symptoms of a Futureman masterpiece: artful manipulation of rhythm, with an inflation of syncopation and relentless groove; seamless blend of styles, instruments, and voices that span the globe as well as centuries of its rich cultural history; exploitation of technology and talent. On the road and the record is The Black Mozart Ensemble, which is a group of virtuoso musicians in their 20s. Even younger than the talent is the technology. From his initial writings on The Dorothy Graye he went on to team with NOTION Music to complete the orchestration. NOTION’s software brought the score to life with the sounds of the London Symphony Orchestra recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Then, The Black Mozart Ensemble took the music and ensemble playing itself to new heights.
The Black Mozart also introduces Futureman’s alter ego, Ovombo Summit, a mysterious composer/author who transcends time in order to suspend reality, but, most significantly, this project tells the story of an epic rise from slavery to chivalry by a mixed-race revolutionary of 18th century France who was sometimes called “The Black Mozart.” His real name is Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and, tragically, the fullness of his legacy has been overlooked due to the fact that, despite everything he did right, his color was wrong. Saint-Georges’ efforts to reconcile these differences are most exemplified in his final orchestra, The Circle of Harmony. Today, Futureman continues the Circle of Harmony, which – through art – demonstrates to the world the beauty of diversity and co-existence.
The Black Mozart Ensemble is a group of young, virtuosic performers who have found a home in embracing the creative demands of Futureman’s compositions, pushing ensemble playing itself to new heights. Diverse in both artistic and cultural backgrounds, each member brings a unique flavor, the result of which is a refined, modern ensemble that evokes what has become the ‘Black Mozart sound.’ While audiences astound at the individual brilliance of each player, their collective performance sounds beautiful and feels good – truly reminiscent of the spirit in which Saint-Georges’ original symphonie concertante encouraged human collaboration rather than individual indulgence. Members include Zach Casebolt, Lyndsay Pruett, Lindy Donia, Tyler Andal, Jesse Hale, Andy Pond, Todd Johnson, and special guests.
blackmozart.com Flecktones.com FOR BOOKING:
The Sound Kitchen (817) 781-3576
booking@thesoundkitchen.org
www.thesoundkitchen.org
FOR MANAGEMENT:
Michael Mallicote
(615) 585-5950
mjmallicote@gmail.com
Check out more Futureman & the Black Mozart Ensemble Videos on youtube.com
wooOOOooOOW !!!! it's amazzzZZZzzzzzing that you know "le chevalier de saint georges (joseph boulogne)".....!!!!!!! he is a sort of " super hero"(artS sportS....) in france , you can find "chevalier du pas saint georges or saint georges street ,but noone knows him.... so ,i virtyally cross the ocean and ,wwWWWOOooow......know the guy who knows the guy ;-) mozart was a genius on piano ...... saint georges was a genious of "equitation","escrime",he was also a very good swimmer,a great dancer......etc.. and ,as paganini in his time,he was a violin master....!!!!!!!!!!
i'm sure your project will be great! i love your approach and your style. i have flecktones cd and dvd and i love the project to (never seen on stage...) so,i hope to meet you and talk about life,music,and everythingelse....
Futureman, I just wanted to thank you for answering my question regarding the metric system on the "ask futureman" section of the Flecktones website. Your music is pure genius. You are a true inspiration to me as a composer and percussionist.
Hi Roy, My cousin Ray in Nashville thought the world of you. God rest his soul. After seeing you play at Summer Lights in the 1990's with Bela and The Flecktones I got out of my seat and went out to greet you guys walking through the crowd heading to another part of the festival. I put out my hand to Bela and he shook my hand, but it appeared a hassle for him. You smiled ear to ear and offered your hand as you brought up the rear! I'll never forget your genuine sincerity. Later while watching Peter Rowan you came out from backstage and waved at me and gave another big smile! No wonder my cousin always said you were one in a million and he considered you a TRUE friend. Blessing to you Roy. Hope we meet again my friend.
Joe Campbell rules! he gave a talk at my college one thyme, he was so very kool. My prof, who brought him in was talking or mostly listening, very excited, and allowed all the slides in the drum he was carrying to,...fall out, like bread crumbs from a fairy tale, (myth,) all the way down the hall, J.C. said that's OK just stick them in anywhere, then gave they lecture ad hoc even tho all the slides were out of order! You are deep future man,...
MY BROTHA'... HOW ARE YOU ? HOPE ALL IS GOOD... THIS TRACK REMINDS ME OF CRUISIN' IN MY WHITE '68 COUPE DE VILLE ON A HOT SUMMER NIGHT !!! BRILLIANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!! AS ALWAYS... MUCH LOVE & RESPECT
