Jeff 'Tain' Watts
Encyclopedia
Jeff "Tain" Watts is a jazz
drummer
born in 1960 who has performed with Wynton Marsalis
, Branford Marsalis
, Betty Carter
, Michael Brecker
, and others.
He got the nickname
“Tain” from Kenny Kirkland
when they were on tour in Florida
and drove past a Chieftain gas station, so "Jeff Tain" for "Chief-tain".
Watts has worked in the film and television industry as both a musician on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno for three years and as an actor, Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee
’s Mo' Better Blues
. Tain performed and recorded with the Branford Marsalis Quartet
from 1985 - 2009. He currently performs with his own groups The Watts Project and the Jeff "Tain" Watts Quartet, as well as the great pianists McCoy Tyner
, The George Cables
Project, and Geri Allen
. Watts started his own record label Dark Key Music in 2007, releasing Folk's Songs in 2007, Watts in 2009 and Family in 2011. Dark Key Music is a 2010 Grammy Award Winner: Best Instrumental Solo, Terence Blanchard for Dancin' 4 Chicken. As a composer, Watts is a creative and innovative force in modern jazz, contributing most of the compositions on his own albums.
He is a Pittsburgh Steelers
fan and can be seen on the album cover of Branford Marsalis' Braggtown
with a Terrible Towel
.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
drummer
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
born in 1960 who has performed with Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences...
, Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born...
, Betty Carter
Betty Carter
Betty Carter was an American jazz singer renowned for her improvisational technique and idiosyncratic vocal style...
, Michael Brecker
Michael Brecker
Michael Leonard Brecker was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Acknowledged as "a quiet, gentle musician widely regarded as the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane," he has been awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer and was inducted into Down Beat Jazz...
, and others.
Biography
Jeff “Tain” Watts holds the unique distinction of being the only musician to appear on every Grammy Award winning jazz record by both Wynton and Branford Marsalis.He got the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
“Tain” from Kenny Kirkland
Kenny Kirkland
Kenneth David “Kenny” Kirkland was an American pianist/keyboardist. He is most often associated with Sting, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Kenny Garrett....
when they were on tour in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and drove past a Chieftain gas station, so "Jeff Tain" for "Chief-tain".
Watts has worked in the film and television industry as both a musician on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno for three years and as an actor, Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
’s Mo' Better Blues
Mo' Better Blues
Mo' Better Blues is a 1990 drama film starring Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee, who also directed. It follows a period in the life of a fictional jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam as a series of bad decisions result in his jeopardizing both his relationships and his playing career...
. Tain performed and recorded with the Branford Marsalis Quartet
Branford Marsalis Quartet
-Current members:*Branford Marsalis – saxophones*Joey Calderazzo - piano*Eric Revis - bass*Justin Faulkner - Drums -Past members:*Jeff "Tain" Watts - Drums *Kenny Kirkland - Piano *Robert Hurst - Bass...
from 1985 - 2009. He currently performs with his own groups The Watts Project and the Jeff "Tain" Watts Quartet, as well as the great pianists McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner is a jazz pianist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet and a long solo career.-Early life:...
, The George Cables
George Cables
George Andrew Cables is a jazz pianist, born November 14, 1944 in New York City.He has played with Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper, and others.His own recordings include the 1980 Cables Vision with Freddie Hubbard among others....
Project, and Geri Allen
Geri Allen
Geri Allen is an American composer/pianist educator jazz pianist, raised in Detroit, Michigan, and educated in the Detroit Public Schools. Allen has worked with many of the greats of modern music, including Ornette Coleman, Ron Carter, Ravi Coltrane, Tony Williams, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette,...
. Watts started his own record label Dark Key Music in 2007, releasing Folk's Songs in 2007, Watts in 2009 and Family in 2011. Dark Key Music is a 2010 Grammy Award Winner: Best Instrumental Solo, Terence Blanchard for Dancin' 4 Chicken. As a composer, Watts is a creative and innovative force in modern jazz, contributing most of the compositions on his own albums.
He is a Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
fan and can be seen on the album cover of Branford Marsalis' Braggtown
Braggtown
Braggtown is an album released by The Branford Marsalis Quartet in 2006.The album, following the 2004 Grammy-nominated Eternal, draws upon a world of inspirations, including John Coltrane, a 17th Century English composer, an American Indian Warrior and a Japanese horror film...
with a Terrible Towel
Terrible Towel
The Terrible Towel is a rally towel associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football team in the National Football League . Created in 1975 by then Steelers radio broadcaster Myron Cope, The Terrible Towel has spread in popularity; fans take their Towel to famous sites while on vacation...
.
As leader
- Megawatts (2004, originally recorded in 1991)
- Citizen Tain (1999)
- Bar Talk (2002)
- DeTAINed at the Blue Note (2004)
- Folk's Songs (2007) Dark Key Music
- WATTS (2009) Dark Key Music
- Family (2011) Dark Key Music
As sideman
- Scenes in the City (1983) - Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born...
- Live at Blues Alley (1986) - Wynton MarsalisWynton MarsalisWynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences...
- Standard Time Vol. 1 (1986) - Wynton MarsalisWynton MarsalisWynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences...
- Royal Garden Blues (1986) - Branford Marsalis
- Open House (1988) - Harry MillerHarry Miller (jazz bassist)Harold Simon 'Harry' Miller was a South African jazz bass player.Miller began his career as a bassist with Manfred Mann, and came to settle in London...
- Random Abstract (1988) - Branford Marsalis
- When Harry Met Sally...When Harry Met Sally... (soundtrack)The soundtrack for When Harry Met Sally... is an album by American singer and pianist Harry Connick, Jr., released in 1989 on Sony/Columbia...
(1989) - Harry Connick, Jr.Harry Connick, Jr.Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with... - Trio Jeepy (1989) - Branford Marsalis
- Black Codes (From the Underground) (1999) - Wynton Marsalis
- Crazy People Music (1990) - Branford Marsalis
- The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born (1991) - Branford Marsalis
- I Heard You Twice the First Time (1992) - Branford Marsalis
- Bloomington (1993) - Branford Marsalis
- Dark Keys (1996) - Branford Marsalis
- Songbook (1997) - Kenny Garrett
- Two Blocks From the EdgeTwo Blocks from the EdgeTwo Blocks from the Edge is Michael Brecker's fifth album as a leader. It was recorded at Avatar Studios in New York City.- Track listing :All tracks composed by Michael Brecker; except where indicated#"Madame Toulouse" — 5:19...
(1998) - Michael BreckerMichael BreckerMichael Leonard Brecker was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Acknowledged as "a quiet, gentle musician widely regarded as the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane," he has been awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer and was inducted into Down Beat Jazz... - Time Is of the EssenceTime Is of the EssenceTime Is of the Essence is Michael Brecker's sixth album as a leader. It was recorded at the Power Station and Right Track in New York City.- Track listing :All tracks composed by Michael Brecker; except where indicated#"Arc of the Pendulum" — 8:59...
(1999) - Michael BreckerMichael BreckerMichael Leonard Brecker was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Acknowledged as "a quiet, gentle musician widely regarded as the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane," he has been awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer and was inducted into Down Beat Jazz... - Simply Said (1999) - Kenny Garrett
- Requiem (1999) - Branford Marsalis
- Contemporary Jazz (2000) - Branford Marsalis
- Footsteps of Our Fathers (2002) - Branford Marsalis
- Romare Bearden Reveared (2003) - Branford Marsalis
- EternalEternal (Branford Marsalis album)Eternal is an album by saxophonist Branford Marsalis recorded at Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, New York in October 2003. It peaked at number 9 on the Top Jazz Albums chart....
(2004) - Branford Marsalis - Translinear LightTranslinear LightTranslinear Light is the last studio album released by Alice Coltrane. It was produced by her son, Ravi Coltrane, and released in 2004. All compositions by Alice Coltrane with the exception of 4 traditional compositions in addition to "Crescent" and "Leo" which were written by her late husband...
(2004) - Alice Coltrane - A Love Supreme Live (2004) - Branford Marsalis
- Channel Three (2005) - Greg Osby
- BraggtownBraggtownBraggtown is an album released by The Branford Marsalis Quartet in 2006.The album, following the 2004 Grammy-nominated Eternal, draws upon a world of inspirations, including John Coltrane, a 17th Century English composer, an American Indian Warrior and a Japanese horror film...
(2006) - Branford Marsalis - QuartetQuartet (McCoy Tyner album)Quartet is a live album by McCoy Tyner released on his McCoy Tyner Music label in 2007. It was recorded in December 2006 at Yoshi's in Oakland, California and features performances of by Tyner with Joe Lovano, Christian McBride and Jeff "Tain" Watts. The Allmusic review by Michael G...
(2007) - McCoy Tyner - Letter to Herbie (2008) - John Beasley
- MetamorphosenMetamorphosenMetamorphosen, Study for 23 Solo Strings, subtitled "In memoriam", is a composition by Richard Strauss, scored for ten violins, five violas, five cellos, and three double basses. It was composed during the closing months of the Second World War, from August 1944 to March 1945. Strauss dedicated it...
(2009) - Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... - Mostly Standards (2009) - David Kikoski
- Positootly!Positootly!Positootly! is an album by pianist John Beasley. The album was Beasley's second for Resonance Records, and featured an eclectic combination of styles, including straight ahead jazz, soul jazz, bossa nova and nuevo tango. In 2010, Positootly! was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Jazz...
(2009) - John Beasley - Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard (2010) - Mingus Big Band Live
- Circles (2010) - Benito Gonzalez
- CircularCircularCircular is a basic geometric shape such as a Circle.Circular may also refer to:-Documents:*Circular note, a document request by a bank to its foreign correspondents to pay a specified sum of money to a named person...
(2011) - Laura Kahle
Grammy Awards
- Career Wins: 6
- Career Nominations: 15
| Jeff "Tain" Watts Grammy History | ||||||
| Year | Category | Title | Genre | Label | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Group | Black Codes From The Underground | Jazz | Columbia | Winner | with Wynton Marsalis Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences... . |
| 1987 | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Group | J Mood | Jazz | Columbia | Winner | with Wynton Marsalis Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences... . |
| 1988 | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Group | Marsalis Standard Time - Volume 1 | Jazz | Columbia | Winner | with Wynton Marsalis Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences... . |
| 1988 | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Group | Trio Jeepy | Jazz | Columbia | Nominated | with Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... |
| 1990 | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Group | Mo Better Blues (soundtrack) | Jazz | CBS | Nominated | with the Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... Quartet. |
| 1993 | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual Or Group | I Heard You Twice The First Time | Jazz | Columbia | Winner | with the Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... Quartet. |
| 1996 | Best Jazz Instrumental Album | PanaMonk | Jazz | Impulse | Nominated | with Danilo Perez. |
| 1998 | Best Jazz Instrumental Album | Songbook | Jazz | Warner Bros. | Nominated | with Kenny Garrett Kenny Garrett Kenny Garrett is a Grammy Award-winning American post bop jazz saxophonist and flautist who gained fame in his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and of Miles Davis's band. He has since pursued a critically acclaimed solo career... . |
| 2000 | Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or Group | Requiem | Jazz | Columbia | Nominated | with the Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... Quartet. |
| 2000 | Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or Group | Time is of the Essence | Jazz | Verve | Nominated | with Michael Brecker Michael Brecker Michael Leonard Brecker was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Acknowledged as "a quiet, gentle musician widely regarded as the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane," he has been awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer and was inducted into Down Beat Jazz... |
| 2001 | Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or Group | Contemporary Jazz | Jazz | Columbia | Winner | with the Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... Quartet. |
| 2001 | Best Latin Jazz Album | Refugee | Jazz | Verve | Nominated | with Hector Martignon. |
| 2005 | Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or Group | Eternal | Jazz | Marsalis Music | Nominated | with the Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... Quartet. |
| 2010 | Best Jazz Instrumental Solo | Watts | Jazz | Dark Key (Watts' label) | Winner | Terence Blanchard for the track "Dancin' 4 Chicken" |
| 2011 | Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or Group | Positootly! | Jazz | Resonance Records | Nominated | with John Beasley John Beasley John Beasley may refer to:*John Beasley , American actor*John Beasley , American basketball player*John Beasley , American football player... . |
| 2011 | Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album | Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard | Jazz | Mingus Workshop, Inc/Jazz Standard | Winner | with the Mingus Big Band |