Steps Ahead 35th Anniversary Reunion gig @ Birdland

Steps Ahead 35th Anniversary
featuring: Mike Mainieri (vibes) Eliane Elias (piano) Peter Erskine (drums) Marc Johnson (bass) George Garzone (saxophones)

“In the late 1970s, pioneering vibraphonist Mike Mainieri founded the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead in order to delve into contemporary sounds while maintaining experimental energy and compositional integrity. Steps Ahead achieved global acclaim and became a launching pad for young talent and new musical ideas. In addition to the 35th Anniversary edition, Steps “alumni” include saxophonists Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Bob Berg, Bill Evans and Bob Sheppard; Pianists Don Grolnick, Kenny Kirkland, Rachel Z, and Joey Calderazzo; Guitarists Mike Stern, Steve Khan, Chuck Loeb, and Hiram Bullock; Bassists Eddie Gomez, Tom Kennedy, Daryl Jones, and Richard Bona; Drummers: Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, Billy Kilson, and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts; Vocalists Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, and Richard Bona.”

Just wrapping up 8 shows here in Tokyo, Japan. The band sounds incredible and I’m having so much fun playing with Mike and Eliane and Marc again. Looking forward to hitting with George Garzone in New York. This will be my first jazz gig in New York in quite a while. CHECK IT OUT and come for the drum hang! Will be playing on a Tama STAR kit w/ some new Kerope (Zildjian) cymbals!