Imagine Esperanza Spalding x Thundercat?

It could happen. One of my favorite drummers - Justin Brown - has toured with both Stephen (Thundercat) and Esperanza within the last two years. That's Justin playing in the Thundercat video above. I first played with Justin when he was only about 13 or 14 years old - and he was already a monster! Great young talent. Justin says both artists are great to work with. Given the connection, maybe there is a chance for a tour in the future with Justin supporting both artists on drums?

 

Please do check him out. Justin has developed into one of the finest drummers around imho. He also has his own group (NYEUSI) and tours with Gerald Clayton, Ambrose Akinsmusire and Tim Lefebvre on occasion too.

 

Esperanza and Thundercat would definitely be a new spin on those bass virtuoso tours like SMV or the Berlin, Hamm, Sheehan tours of a few years ago.

 

funkytoe's list of people he played with before they were a big deal is second to none. I still search your posts to read the Cliff Burton stories.

 

I sometimes think I was destined to have all of these "Forrest Gump" moments. My life path seems to keep connecting me with great bassists and musicians - starting with Larry Graham when I was still in grade school. I never played with Larry directly, but I did perform with his son Derek on drums and Larry was there to watch and critique. I did not know at that time that I would grow up to respect him as I do today. I cannot imagine what someone would pay for a private lesson with Larry Graham! From Larry to meeting and getting bass tips from Cliff Burton while he was still in high school to meeting and playing with whole bunch of famous musicians in L.A. in the late 1980's and early 1990's before their success would put them on the covers of Spin, Kerrang or Rolling Stone. Funny thing is, I am a journeyman bassist at best. I never had the chops or the dedication to be a top tier pro. But, for whatever, reasons, I have been really blessed to play and know some truly great artists in my life.

Sorry to derail the thread. As for Justin Brown, he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. As I said above, both Esperanza and Thundercat chose him to keep the beat for them on recent tours, and he is still in his early 30's. I see lots of gold and platinum in his future.

 

At last year's North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, I saw both the Thundercat and Esperanza gigs. I LOVED Esperanza, Thundercat, mmmmm, not so much...but that's the great thing about music, nobody's opinion counts but your own.

 

You should start a blog or something about this stuff, like the ümlaut blog that Brian Lew has about the early thrash days, I think it would be super interesting!