I RECEIVE AN AMAZING AMOUNT OF VERY WARM AND KIND GREETINGS, COMMENTS AND MESSAGES IN ADDITION TO MANY QUESTIONS AND ENQUIRIES THROUGH THIS PAGE, AND ALTHOUGH I AM HUGELY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THEM, MY TIME AND WORK CONSTRAINTS (ON A PRETTY CONSISTANT BASIS!) MAKE IT JUST ABOUT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO RESPOND IN ANYTHING LIKE THE LEVEL OF REGULARITY I WOULD NORMALLY FEEL TO EXERCISE.
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING ON THIS, BUT PLEASE KNOW THEY ALL MEAN A GREAT DEAL TO ME.
SINCERELY,
GARY HUSBAND
Throughout my life I have been affected and inspired by music from many different realms and of many different styles. Among some of my earliest memories, for example, are ones that involve me picking out (on piano) Beatles songs, show tunes or themes from TV, Disney films etc, simply from having been profoundly enchanted by a little melody. I would be busy expanding on them, experimenting with various ways I could portray them and improvise on them.
Through my early, intense classical piano studies I was exposed to the beautiful music of Eric Satie, Stravinsky, Kabalevsky, Robert Schumann and others along with working through the Bartok Microcosmos series. A lot stayed with me from those experiences. At the same time I was becoming aware of a simultanious, overwhelming desire to get involved in playing drums. I did, and from that moment the two endeavours became merged in terms of dedication and equal priority in terms of study and development.
Since this is the "Influences" section, let me expand a little on many of those.
Around the age of twelve I was also into big band music in a very big way - particularly much of Stan Kenton's output. The drama and exhilaration was what got me, and if you care to check out the reissue of 'Stan Kenton Today' (recorded live in London in 1972) you'll discover a most exhilerating performance by one of my all-time, hugest and original drum influences, 'The Baron' John Von Ohlen. In John you get colossal passion, power, subtlety and relentless swing all at the same time - kind of a tantalising brew of Mel Lewis with a sound the size and as powerful as John Bonham. He was completely lost, taken, insane (!) in the music. Glorious! From the swinging big band style I'd cast the great Mel Lewis as a biggie, but also a little known guy who played on Woody Herman's 'My Kind Of Broadway' album from around the mid 60's; Ronnie Zito. A master! (This album has recently been released on CD!) I'd also like to mention a newer discovery - the splendid John Hollenbeck - Bob Brookmeyer's drummer of choice - as another great big band guy on the current scene.
From here I'll move quickly to Miles Davis - the summation of so much inside of my own inner musical odyssey, and such a mammoth influence to me in general. I was staying up all night regularly totally absorbed in the 'Bitches Brew' album playing on the earphones at around fifteen years old. I now love all his periods. When I am an old man I will probably still vote the 'Jack Johnson' record as one of my ultimate 'desert island disks'. What a record. What a time. How much there is on that record... from everyone involved, right up to production genius of Teo Macero too. From him I'll go to 'Go Ahead John' Mahavishnu John McLaughlin. The man is likely to be an eternal inspiration and influence on me. Then, Bill Evans put me back into the classical space .. only he was improvising. Every note valued, nurtured. So special. So personal, and important. What a poet, and most obviously so in love with beauty. And to Tony Williams - another great poet, and to me one of the greatest and most important conceptualists in the realm of drums, in composition, in musical and general improvisational creativity. As Miles Davis said; 'You could stumble in the street .. and Tony'd play that'. What an artist, in the true, fullest sense of the word. ALL the periods from Tony for me. I was listening to the Tony Williams Lifetime on a first-generation portable mono cassette player while touring in Germany with a brass band from Yorkshire around fifteen years old thinking this was just normal everyday progressive modern electric music! My colleagues, they thought differently!! Discovering John Coltrane was another great turning point. Hearing Igor Stravinski's Mass for the first time. Also Durufle's Requiem. Sergej Rachmaninoff - the slow, passionate (famous) rhapsody from Concerto Number 2 'Variations On A Theme Of Paganini'. Some of the most tragic music I've ever heard. Still can't get through a snippet of it without being reduced to tears in seconds. The piece is featured in the movie 'Somewhere In Time'. I'm in tears with the movie too! While I think of him; Ronald Bruner Jr!! A wonderful, wholly inspired young jazz and fusion drummer (and initially from the Gospel realm) on the scene right now. He recently kicked me up the arse, right where I like it (with Kenny Garrett's group)... but check him on the recent Stanley Clarke album too! Ralph Peterson Jr! another one. Mr 'Tain' too, on the records with Branford Marsarlis. I don't hear anyone playing that kind of music any better right now. I saw Earth Wind & Fire live in 1974! That moved some physical and spiritual air inside me. One of my all-time keyboard inspirations, Jan Hammer. 'Prague meets New York'! A genius "comper" and such a deep, commanding soloist. Beautiful on piano especially too. Liam Noble from England reminds me a lot of him sometimes. Jack DeJohnette - a complete revolutionary on the drums. He has a vocabulary and expression all his own. Who can imitate him... even if you wanted to! So unique. Dave Liebman, Steve Grossman, and the little child voice in Wayne Shorter. Some more saxophone giants for me. Joe Zawinul - so special, unique and what a mighty and inspiring spirit. He's left a lot for all of us.
I'm particular with piano players. I'll enjoy some Keith Jarrett, but usually in small doses. Definitely earlier Herbie Hancock, Amhad Jamal, Brad Meldhau very occasionally (who, for me usually shines the brightest on other people's records). Some of the more modern keyboardists in the electric realm - Jim Beard, also Aydin Esen (both of whom I've had the pleasure of working with) and Squarepusher (who I haven't worked with but have a desire to in some way, shape or form). Allan Holdsworth. My brother. Hate all the people who try to copy what he does though - all those trying to closely capture his thing. Of course it's always so wrong anyway. They take just the sugar... just as all the impersonators did with Jaco Pastorius. Jaco and Allan, they've got a lot of grit, edge and guts to their voice also!! The impersonators invariably pretty much miss that! Anyway, Allan said it - "clones don't count". Talking of edge, give me 'the edge' on electric guitar anyday - Jeff Beck, Sonny Sharrock, the guitar player in the White Stripes also, John Scofield on the recent Trio Beyond album... I could go on! I loath the term "shred". Hate people who qualify in that description, and I loath what they do! Steve Topping, a very special guitar player and another close brother of mine who's beautiful and amazing compositions have always influenced and affected me. Check out the 'Late Flower' album by him and be enchanted too. Did I forget Larry Young? Yep, nearly did.
Also, I love understatement on piano - back into my classical realm I guess. I make that pretty clear on some of my records. I was improvising on piano as a youngster playing with very little, trying to capture a "lot" - sparse little triads, little hanging statements and things. Thomas Newman comes out with the 'American Beauty' soundtrack years later and steals all my shit!! Now there's a multitude of mini-Thomas Newman TV composers stealing all HIS shit! Devine justice I guess you call it! Ha ha! Narada Michael Walden on 'Visions Of The Emerald Beyond', .. and don't forget 'Inner Worlds'. Your profound and deep attack is still with me Naradal!
Singers affect me a great deal. Anyone who means it - the ones who 'lived' what they're singing about I guess. They will carry me and captivate me. I'll mention Shirley Horn, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Jack Bruce, Bjork, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, John Lennon, Paul McCartney at least. I like Elton John occasionally, even Judy Garland. They mean it too. And they go right to that place!! Eric Clapton - idolised the world over as a guitarist but I love him for his singing. Bassists. Disparate styles again but here're a few. Mick Hutton from England - a lyrical giant on acoustic bass. He no longer plays. Colossal shame. Big admirer of Dave Holland. On electric, my friend and brother Jimmy Johnson. Jack Bruce.... he 'means' every note.... Alphonso Johnson, oh yes. Michael Henderson way back with Miles. Early Stanley Clarke. More of my drummer guys - Stewart Copeland, the great Elvin Jones, John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Gary Novak, JoJo Mayer. I've become a big appreciator recently of the very special Bill Stewart. There are favourite film composers - Leonard Bernstein (who's angular 'West Side Story'-type composition somehow definitely proved an influence on me) and the great Bernard Herrmann. I'm a harmony junkie, and therefore writers such as Bill Holman, Oliver Nelson, Gil Evans, Michael Gibbs, Mike Westbrook, Vince Mendoza and Steve Gray have all captivated me. Gabriel Faure, Michael Tippet. Songwriters Brian Wilson, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Todd Rundgren, some of Paddy McAloon's work, Burt Bacharach, The Kinks, The Beatles, Scritti Politti, Bjork, some Human League. On violin, the great one and only Jerry Goodman - another brother of mine and beautiful person. I'm leaving out a good many people but I'll amend this little diatribe accordingly, as and when more names and ideas occur to me .. and I'm somewhere near a computer!
Thanks for reading!
Sounds Like
Sounds like? Gary Husband, although I am also aware that many of my perennial heroes and musical influences over the many years linger in the mix too, whether it's piano, keyboards or drums. I'm very happy that they do!!
With others, I appeared fairly recently on the following album recordings: JACK BRUCE AND ROBIN TROWER - "SEVEN MOONS", JOHN McLAUGHLIN - "INDUSTRIAL ZEN", ASAF SIRKIS TRIO - "THE MONK", RAY RUSSELL - "GOODBYE SVENGALI", LEVEL 42 - "RETROGLIDE" and CHRISTOF LAUER TRIO - "BLUES IN MIND".
My synthesizer debut album "DIARY OF A PLASTIC BOX" has been recently re-released as a double album (with an entire extra CD of previously unreleased additional material) entitled "THE COMPLETE DIARY OF A PLASTIC BOX". That's on the Angel Air Label. Also on Angel Air is my interpetations of Allan Holdsworth's music album ("THE THINGS I SEE - INTERPRETATIONS OF THE MUSIC OF ALLAN HOLDSWORTH"). The more recent second interpretations album I recorded, based on the music of John McLaughlin ("A MEETING OF SPIRITS - INTERPRETATIONS OF THE MUSIC OF JOHN McLAUGHLIN") is on the Alternity Records label.
My most recent, (Gary Husband's Drive - "HOTWIRED") features the music of my modern jazz quartet, on the Abstract Logix label.
Each of these are available for download via itunes, and as a CD at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
CHECK BACK REGULARLY FOR NEW MUSIC AND NEW VIDEO CLIPS ON THIS PAGE.
For historic value and on a nostalgic note, there is an outtake from the ALLAN HOLDSWORTH "IOU" album ("Water On The Brain") circa 1980, featuring right now at the following URL. http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Gary_Husband.html
*PROMOTIONAL VIDEO*
Promotional video (with interview clip) from Alternity Records for the album GARY HUSBAND * A MEETING OF SPIRITS - INTERPRETATIONS OF THE MUSIC OF JOHN MCLAUGHLIN
NEWS - 15/10/09
SESSIONS FOR "DIRTY & BEAUTIFUL", MY NEXT ALL-ELECTRIC FUSION ALBUM, HAVE BEGUN!
Following my recent tour of Canada and California with Allan Holdsworth I recruited Allan and Jimmy Johnson and guest musician Jerry Goodman on the 12th of October for a one day session at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles to work on new tracks for my next album - one I have been planning for some time now. It's an as yet untitled new electric fusion project (led by myself from the drums) that I'm proud will also go on to feature musicians such as John McLaughlin, Jack Bruce, Robin Trower, Jimmy Herring, Mark King among other friends and musical colleagues.
So the new album project has officially begun! But it will progress gradually, as I'll be recording internationally and fairly much as and when I can between other tours.
Here are a selection of photos of this first studio sessions in Los Angeles.
Click on above icon to view more details or to obtain from Abstract Logix.
Gary Husband - SOLO
Husband is one of a rare breed of musicians in that his expression is divided equally in his capacity as a drummer and a keyboardist of international repute. His classical roots, his quest and development in the improvisational, jazz and jazz/fusion areas - not to mention his tenure in the pop, rock, funk and blues circuits - are all evident inside Gary's distinct and far-reaching musical personality. His solo album and DVD output over the last few years has also reinforced his status as a critically acclaimed writer and arranger in the contemporary music world.
In 1999 he formed GARY HUSBAND NEW TRIO www.newgaryhusbandtrio.com (featuring bassist MICK HUTTON and drummer GENE CALDERAZZO) leading from the piano and keyboards. Material from this period was best represented on the (for the moment deleted) CD releases “FROM THE HEART” and "ASPIRE - GARY HUSBAND & FRIENDS".
In the summer of 2003, Gary was awarded a highly coveted place on the Arts Council of England's CONTEMPORARY MUSIC NETWORK touring scheme to lead a hand-picked ensemble of jazz and jazz/fusion musicians on a tour across the UK in March 2004. The project, entitled GARY HUSBAND'S FORCE MAJEURE, featured Grammy winning trumpeter RANDY BRECKER, bassist MATTHEW GARRISON, keyboardist JIM BEARD, trombonist and bass trumpeter ELLIOT MASON, Mahavishnu legend JERRY GOODMAN on electric violin, and the Armenian 'world' percussionist ARTO TUNCBOYACIYAN. The ensemble returned to the UK in March 2005 for a further series of concerts which included a wildly-received, sell-out week residency at London's Ronnie Scott's club.
Close in concept and approach to his innovative, highly acclaimed piano CD release of 2001, "THE THINGS I SEE - INTERPRETATIONS OF THE MUSIC OF ALLAN HOLDSWORTH" (Angel Air Records), "A MEETING OF SPIRITS - INTERPRETATIONS OF THE MUSIC OF JOHN McLAUGHLIN" was released by Alternity Records in 2006. Both albums are still available on CD via their respective label’s websites, Amazon, Abstractlogix and for download on iTunes.
In 2008 Gary re-released his debut, all-synthesizer CD release “DIARY OF A PLASTIC BOX” as the double-length re-mastered “THE COMPLETE DIARY OF A PLASTIC BOX”, also on the Angel Air label. “HOTWIRED”, the debut CD release for one of his present day projects – (propulsive 4-piece contemporary jazz group DRIVE (featuring RICHARD TURNER - Trumpet, JULIAN SIEGEL – Saxophones and MICHAEL JANISCH - bass) was released on the Abstract Logix label earlier in 2009. Both releases are also available for download at iTunes.
An album of Gary’s arrangements and performances of Russian composer ALEXANDER SHULGIN’S compositions, (the Richard Niles produced “SHULGIN’S SONGBOOK”) was released in 2008 (featuring a guest performance by guitarist MARTIN TAYLOR), and a more far-reaching Husband-produced second album is awaiting release, featuring this time a guest performance by guitarist STEVE HACKETT). More news on this soon.
Gary Husband - COLLABORATIONS / SESSION CAREER
In 1976 Gary’s first professional position was as 16-year-old drummer with Britain’s popular SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA. He stayed with the orchestra for close to two years performing constant one-nighters and tours across into Europe. He later freelanced with singers and entertainers such as LULU, MARION MONTGOMERY, THE BACHELORS, MATT MONRO and THE BEVERLEY SISTERS.
Upon a move (aged 18) from Yorkshire to London he held down the drum chair for jazz/fusion groups such as BARBARA THOMPSON’S PARAPHERNALIA, DICK MORRISEY/JIM MULLEN BAND, GARY BOYLE TRIO, JEFF CLYNE’S TURNING POINT while freelancing with MIKE CARR TRIO, RONNIE SCOTT QUINTET, IAN CARR’S NUCLEUS among others. More significantly, Gary was by this time quite a few years into developing and forging a strong improvisational electric fusion direction with friend and kindred spirit, guitarist STEVE TOPPING. This relationship is best documented by the retrospective release “WHAT IT IS – GARY HUSBAND, STEVE TOPPING, PAUL CARMICHAEL” and Topping’s more recent releases “TIME & DISTANCE” and “LATE FLOWER”.
Following a chance meeting with ALLAN HOLDSWORTH in 1978, Gary embarked on a close, highly distinct and productive partnership with the guitarist that is still active to this day, over three decades later. He spent a large percentage of the 80’s and 90’s touring in the U.S., Europe and Japan with Allan, recording the albums “I.O.U.”, “METAL FATIGUE”, “ATAVACHRON”, “SAND”, “WARDENCLYFFE TOWER”, “HARD HAT AREA”, “SECRETS”, “THEN!” (and a still unreleased three-piece recording in 2000 with JIMMY JOHNSON).
In 1989 Gary accepted an invitation to join popular Jazz/Funk/Pop band LEVEL 42, and performed and recorded with the band up until early 1992 around work with Holdsworth. He also performed with artists such as SPANDAU BALLET, JOHN FARNHAM, WILL DOWNING, MIKE & THE MECHANICS, ALEXANDER O’NEAL, ERASURE, MICA PARIS and SIR GEORGE MARTIN in this period.
In 1992 he began touring and recording with BILLY COBHAM (“THE TRAVELER”, which featured a Cobham/Husband drum duet) principally as a keyboardist but also as a drummer. Gary also at this time began working with JACK BRUCE, with whom he was principally involved as a drummer but also as a keyboardist.
Throughout the 90’s, Gary was involved in a typically diverse range of associations and projects. Guitarist GARY MOORE had become a mainstay in the Jack Bruce three-piece, and Gary also then became involved in Moore’s touring band, recording the albums “BALLADS & BLUES”, “DARK DAYS IN PARADISE” & “A DIFFERENT BEAT”. He sessioned with singers BRIAN HOUSTON (“GOOD NEWS JUNKIE”), JIMMY NAIL (“CROCODILE SHOES 2” and TADPOLES IN A JAR”), toured with Canadian singer/songwriter RON SEXMITH, Police guitarist ANDY SUMMERS, recorded with drum n’bass protagonists DILLINGER and LEMON “D”, with saxophonist ALAN SKIDMORE (“THE CALL” featuring percussion group AMAMPONDO), blues band BLUE THUNDER, JIM MULLEN’s Quartet (“WE GO BACK”, “BURNS”, “ANIMATION” and “LIVE IN GLASGOW”), guitarist ANTHONY HINDSON (“IT’S A CURIOUS LIFE” also featuring ZAKIR HUSSAIN, L SHANKAR, JACK BRUCE and TONY WILLIAMS), U.S./Canadian Jam/Fusion band GONGZILLA (“THRIVE” and “EAST VILLAGE SESSIONS”). He also toured with BILLY COBHAM/RANDY BRECKER GROUP (with whom he recorded the album “FOCUSED”) and recorded on a further Cobham release “CULTURE MIX”. Gary also freelanced with saxophonist TIM GARLAND, pianist JULIAN JOSEPH, pianist OLGA KONKOVA’s trio, BOB BERG/RANDY BRECKER group, GEOFF KEEZER TRIO (with alternating bassists CHRISTIAN McBRIDE and JAMES GENUS).
Post 2000, Gary has performed with JEFF BECK, toured with keyboardist and composer AYDIN ESEN, guitarist MIKE STERN’s band, bassist JONAS HELLBORG, drummer DANNY GOTTLIEB and JASON SMITH TRIO (with whom he performed and co-wrote on the albums “THINK LIKE THIS” and “TIPPING POINT”). He joined saxophonist CHRISTOF LAUER’s trio (featuring tubaist MICHEL GODARD) and recorded/co-wrote “BLUES IN MIND”, and performed and co-wrote on guitarist RAY RUSSELL’s “GOODBYE SVENGALI” album.
Following his participation on keyboards and drums on legendary guitarist JOHN McLAUGHLIN's celebrated "INDUSTRIAL ZEN" CD, Gary appeared (in July 2007) at the Chicago Eric Clapton Crossroads Festival along with John, MATT GARRISON & VINNIE COLAIUTA, and toured the U.S., Canada and Europe throughout 2008 as a member of JOHN MCLAUGHLIN & THE 4TH DIMENSION, principally as keyboardist but also as drummer. The DVD “JOHN McLAUGHLIN & THE 4TH DIMENSION – LIVE @ BELGRADE” has been released by Abstract Logix as well as two live performance CDs.
In recent years Gary has become increasingly active with Hamburg’s NDR BIG BAND (with whom he has performed with saxophonists JOE LOVANO, singer AL JARREAU, trombonist NILS LANDGREN, composers MARIA SCHNEIDER, GEIR LYSNE, STEVE GREY and COLIN TOWNS) and FRANKFURT’S HR BIG BAND. He also been performing live and recording again with MARK KING’s LEVEL 42 (best represented by the DVD release “LIVE AT THE APOLLO”), performed with Britain’s BBC BIG BAND for JACK BRUCE and arranger JORG ACHIM KELLER, and was featured performer with Colin Towns and the HR band at the 2008 Rome Jazz Festival. He has worked with Yes bassist CHRIS SQUIRE, and collaborated more recently with drummer SIMON PHILLIPS, RAY RUSSELL, bassist TONY LEVIN and others on a Zildjian Cymbals Achievement Award concert for Ginger Baker.
Husband has been most recently touring in Europe with the new JACK BRUCE / ROBIN TROWER three-piece group (“SEVEN MOONS”) and a live DVD (“SEVEN MOONS LIVE”) is awaiting imminent release.
Gary continues to devote a portion of his time to educational programmes and is a respected drum clinician internationally. In this capacity he has shared the stage with artists such as TERRY BOZZIO, DENNIS CHAMBERS, SIMON PHILLIPS, MARK MONDESIR, VINNIE COLAIUTA, RICKY LAWSON, TODD SUCHERMAN, OMAR HAKIM, DENNY SEIWELL and many others. Gary is also planning a new educational drum DVD.
ALLAN HOLDSWORTH, JIMMY JOHNSON, GARY HUSBAND - Phoenix Club, Toronto, Canada - 03/10/09
ALLAN HOLDSWORTH, GARY HUSBAND, JIMMY JOHNSON - Gigant, Apeldoorn - March 18, European Tour 2009
GARY HUSBAND'S FORCE MAJEURE, London Queen Elizabeth Hall,
05/03/04. Featuring RANDY BRECKER, ELLIOT MASON, JERRY GOODMAN, JIM BEARD, MATTHEW GARRISON and ARTO TUNCBOYACIYAN.
Onstage at The Barbican, London 31/05/08, playing the composition "SULLEY" (also featured in the Audio songs on this page)
2008 Spring Tour - JOHN McLAUGHLIN & The 4th DIMENSION.
JOHN MCLAUGHLIN BAND - "MAHARINA" (DVD - Eric Clapton's Chicago 2007 Crossroads) also featuring VINNIE COLAIUTA - Drums and MATT GARRISON - Bass)
Performing in the SEBASTIAAN CORNELISSEN TRIO in Europe
Hi Gary, It was nice to meet you at the Pro Drum Shop in Hollywood a few weeks ago with Jimmy Johnson; dig the pic attached. All the best to you and your loved ones and a Happy Holiday as well.
Hi Gary, thank you so much for your frienship. I'm a huge fan of electric guitar, it was the 4 th time I saw Mike but nel jazz I like drums very much and I was pretty impressed by your play...your profile is pretty interesting too! I'll check your band later too, looks like really good...
I hope see you play soon(even piano) somewhere...all my best for your music!
Bg respect to you Gary! Thanx for being so kind in notodden! Came all the way just to see you and Jack, and it was worth every dime! Hope to see you (and hear) soon!!!
Can you confirm if gwil is playing with you and Janek tomorrow night (30th) as there is nothing on his page and I would like to make the journey south if he is?
Debs
but nel jazz I like drums very much and I was pretty impressed by your play...your profile is pretty interesting too! I'll check your band later too, looks like really good...
