On their self-titled fourth album released by BFM Jazz(www.bfmjazz.com) on March 23rd, Steve Gadd, the veteran drummer, shifts once again into the position of leader and producer, roles with which he feels increasingly confident at this stage of his lengthy career. “All the guys in the band are good friends of mine, people I like being around—not just musically but in general,” Gadd says. “It’s great to be able to play with guys you like and create more opportunities to keep playing with them.”
“The guys” are Walt Fowler (trumpet/flugelhorn), Jimmy Johnson (bass), Michael Landau (guitars) and the newest member of Steve Gadd Band, Kevin Hays (keyboards, vocals). Fowler, Johnson and Landau are, like Gadd himself, all veterans of James Taylor’s touring band. Hays was suggested by Larry Goldings, the band’s erstwhile keyboardist. Steve Gadd Band follows Gadditude(2013), 70 Strong(2015) and Way Back Home (Live from Rochester, NY)(2016), the latter—nominated for a Best Contemporary Instrumental Album Grammy®.