JEFF "TAIN" WATTS QUARTET

THE DJANGO / APRIL 25

Look up “jazz drummer” in Webster’s and you’ll find a picture of “Tain” Watts. Introduced to many by playing in Wynton Marsalis’s 1980s band, Watts has also worked with the likes of Geri Allen, Betty Carter, McCoy Tyner, Christian McBride, Harry Connick, Jr., George Benson, Branford Marsalis, Makoto Ozone, John Beasley, Danilo Perez, and many others. The gifted GRAMMY Award winner has been a prolific collaborator, including on the 2024 straight-ahead piano jazz album WAW! with Carl Winther and Richard Andersson and 2022’s saxy trio recording Misterioso with Mark Turner and Orlando LeFleming. He has worked several times with director Spike Lee, including on the iconic Mo’ Better Blues soundtrack. The Easton, PA, native always displays a versatile percussive range and plenty of swing. He’ll be at The Django as part of the Downtown NYC Jazz Fest presented by GrandLife Hotels. —DJP