Jeff "Tain" Watts

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Jeff "Tain" Watts
Jeff Tain Watts.jpg
Watts performing with Wynton Marsalis in JazzFest 2007
Background information
Born (1960-01-20) January 20, 1960 (age 65)
Easton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Origin Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, bandleader, actor
InstrumentDrums
LabelsDark Key Music
Website tainish.com

Jeff "Tain" Watts (born January 20, 1960) is an American jazz drummer who has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Betty Carter, Michael Brecker, Alice Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane, and others.

Contents

Biography

Watts got the nickname "Tain" from Kenny Kirkland when they were on tour in Florida and drove past a Chieftain gas station. [1] He was given a Guggenheim fellowship in music composition in 2017. [2] Watts attended Berklee College of Music, where he met collaborator Branford Marsalis. [3]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards

YearCategoryTitleGenreResultNotes
1985Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, GroupBlack Codes From the UndergroundJazzWonwith Wynton Marsalis
1986Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, GroupJ MoodJazzWonwith Wynton Marsalis
1987Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, GroupMarsalis Standard Time - Vol. 1JazzWonwith Wynton Marsalis
1992Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, GroupI Heard You Twice the First TimeJazzWonwith Branford Marsalis
1990Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, GroupCrazy People MusicJazzNominatedwith Branford Marsalis Quartet
1999Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or GroupRequiemJazzNominatedwith the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
2000Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or GroupContemporary JazzJazzWonwith the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
2004Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or GroupEternalJazzNominatedwith the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
2010Best Large Jazz Ensemble AlbumMingus Big Band Live at the Jazz StandardJazzWonwith the Mingus Big Band
2023Best Opera RecordingFire Shut Up in My Bones (Blanchard)OperaWonwith the Metropolitan Opera
2024Best Opera RecordingChampion (Blanchard)OperaWonwith the Metropolitan Opera
2025Best Jazz PerformancePhoenix Reimagined (Live)JazzNominatedLakecia Benjamin ft Randy Brecker, Jeff Tain Watts and John Scofield

[4]

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References

  1. ↑ From an interview with Kevin Le Gendre for Jazz On 3 on BBC Radio 3.
  2. ↑ "Jeff "Tain" Watts – John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation". Gf.org. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  3. ↑ Milkowski, Bill (9 May 2019). "Jeff "Tain" Watts: The Reign of "Tain"". JazzTimes.com. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  4. ↑ "The 2025 GRAMMYs take place Sunday, Feb. 2. Watch highlights from the 2025 GRAMMYs..." Grammy.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
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