Cindy Blackman-Santana's "Another Lifetime"
Audio / Video
Gallery
About
Miles Davis called him a "little genius" and "the fire, the creative
spark" of his '60s quintet, which arguably featured the best rhythm
section jazz has ever known. The rhythmic instigator was Tony
Williams-only a teenager when he joined the group-who went on to become
one of the greatest drummers-if not the greatest-of all time. When he
tragically died at the age of 51 in 1997 in the midst of continuing to
speed ahead with new compositional projects, he left in his wake a
drummer who counted him an invaluable mentor and close friend whose
career has been a testament to Williams' legacy. Cindy Blackman is not
only one of contemporary music's most creative drummers but also a
passionate witness to the role model Williams provided to her. In her
first recording as a leader since 2005's double CD Music for the New
Millennium, Blackman pays homage to the Jazz-Rock legend with Another
Lifetime (Four Quarters Entertainment), a tour de force collection of
many of Williams' songs from his seminal group Lifetime, which he helmed
from 1969-1976.
"It's true that this album celebrates him, but really this is only a documentation of the recording sessions that make up Another Lifetime," says Blackman, a top-drawer jazz drummer whose resume also includes a lengthy association with rocker Lenny Kravitz (1993-2004, 2005-2007). "Tony's impact was so great on me that I celebrate him every day of my life. Every time I think about music, I celebrate Tony because I celebrate that level of virtuosity. I'm here to let it be known what that man created and how in his drumming he carried the entire history of all the great jazz drummers. He was an incredibly schooled drummer who set up the direction for me. When I first heard him, I knew that's how I wanted it to go for me. I remember thinking I've got to get to that. Celebrating Tony is not just one day or one album, but it's a way of living, a way of being-creative, spontaneous, thoughtful and diligent in pushing the envelope."
Artist Website
"It's true that this album celebrates him, but really this is only a documentation of the recording sessions that make up Another Lifetime," says Blackman, a top-drawer jazz drummer whose resume also includes a lengthy association with rocker Lenny Kravitz (1993-2004, 2005-2007). "Tony's impact was so great on me that I celebrate him every day of my life. Every time I think about music, I celebrate Tony because I celebrate that level of virtuosity. I'm here to let it be known what that man created and how in his drumming he carried the entire history of all the great jazz drummers. He was an incredibly schooled drummer who set up the direction for me. When I first heard him, I knew that's how I wanted it to go for me. I remember thinking I've got to get to that. Celebrating Tony is not just one day or one album, but it's a way of living, a way of being-creative, spontaneous, thoughtful and diligent in pushing the envelope."