Donald Sturge Anthony McKenzie II

"What makes a good band? In the first place, youve got to get the drummer. No drummer, no band." Miles Davis Time, feel, swing, groove. These are just some of the qualities that separate the best drummers from the rest and drummer/composer/bandleader/producer Don McKenzie has them all. Whether its jazz, hip-hop, African or rock, McKenzies playing fits like a hand in a glove. And whether its a driving rock groove, a slow-burn shuffle, a jazz tune with complex time signatures or a delicate rhythmic backdrop, McKenzie has the chops to deliver them all. It helps explains why McKenzie is an in-demand musician who has played with an impressive list of artists that includes P.Diddy, Vernon Reid, New Kingdom, Sweetback, Martin Luther, Allure, Marc Ribot, The Persuaders and jazz legend Roswell Rudd. New York born McKenzies first instrument was guitar, but at the age of six he switched to drums. A player who is committed to constantly improving his craft, McKenzies playing has a strong grounding in music theory and technique thanks to a series of formal drumming lessons (one of his teachers was Everett Collins, who played with The Isley Brothers). Inspired by drummers such as Tony Williams, Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers, McKenzie has built on their influence and stamped his own indelible mark on the music he plays. My feeling about drumming is that a good drummer needs to be the foundation for the melodic and harmonic instruments, while leading the way. Its a dichotomy but its a necessary one. An interesting thing is that the older I get, the less I want to lead and the more I want to support, says McKenzie. McKenzies versatility, open minded approach to music and his willingness to explore beyond the familiar has seen him play with a diverse range of musicians including Marc Ribots Mystery Trio. The jazz guitarists music has been described as electric blend of inspired ballads, sheer punk explorations and legitimate funk jams. Then theres New Kingdom, an act that stands at the crossroads of hip-hop, rock and industrial, and Sweetback, a band founded by the core members of Sades band. McKenzie has also played in MALicool, a group led by trombonist Roswell Rudd, which blends African sounds with jazz. Described by one reviewer as a: revelation, MALicool has toured North America and Europe and performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Many people will know McKenzie through his long association with guitarist Vernon Reid, founder of the groundbreaking band Living Color. McKenzie lays down the groove in Reids latest band, Masque, described by its leader as: the place where rock, jazz, hip-hop and technology meet. When asked for his views on McKenzies drumming, Reid says. "His sense of pocket is very firm. I've always been fortunate to work with great drummers, like Marlon Browden and Ronald Shannon Jackson and Will Calhoun. Don is right up there at that level." McKenzie has also played with multi-instrumentalist/composer/producer Elliot Sharp, who says that: Don McKenzie not only has the hands to play deep-pocket hip-hop and rock grooves, hard-hitting and asymmetrical jazz flavors, a la Tony Williams, and light-fingered sonic abstractions; most importantly, he has the ears to turn his authoritative gestures into music. Keyboardist/singer Leon Gruenbaum, who has worked with Don on a number of projects (including his own Math Camp), notes that: Don is a total powerhouse who can play in any style. He never overplays, instead allowing his extremely solid groove to provide a bed on which other musicians can feel completely comfortable to express themselves. On the latest Vernon Reid and Masque album, Other True Self, McKenzie reveals another string to his artistic bow: composer. His tune Kizzy is a pleasant surprise to anyone who thinks that drummers can only compose powerhouse numbers designed to show off their prowess. Instead, Kizzy is a dreamy, atmospheric number that is powerfully evocative. Its no surprise to learn that it was inspired by a close friend. McKenzie has come a long way musically, but he still continues to stretch out creatively. This includes more composition, production work and taking on the role of band leader. An album of the Don McKenzie Band, Live @ Zebulon, documents a band that is smoking on the night. Leon Gruenbaum says: As a bandleader/composer/producer he is extremely generous, allowing the musicians to contribute their expertise, while providing enough structure so the work is coherent. Im just trying to make the music come from within, says McKenzie and anyone who has heard this multi-talented musician will have to agree that theres a lot of exciting music coming from within him.