Steve Gadd Band - Way Back Home Live From Rochester, NY (2016) Hi Res

He’s only one of the greatest drummers on the planet: Steve Gadd. Greatness, for the purposes of this article, is defined by a combination of skill on the kit, diversity of genres, versatility as an ensemble player, sideman and leader, and, of course, longevity. Employing the same lineup for his 2015 release, 70 Strong, featuring live versions of selections from that album and Gadditude, as well as some older songs, Gadd comes back in concert with Way Back Home – Live from Rochester.

Near the end of the title track of the new album by the Steve Gadd Band, Gadd takes a knock-your-socks-off drum solo that brings the house down. The album, subtitled "Live from Rochester, NY," was recorded at the 2015 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.

The music is superb, by turns swinging and funky, ranging from Keith Jarrett's "The Windup" and "Bye Bye Blackbird" to "Them Changes," the Buddy Miles tune that provides another opportunity to show why Gadd is widely regarded as the world's best drummer. Interviews range from greats like Chuck Mangione and Tony Levin reminiscing about Gadd's days at the Eastman School of Music and beyond to local impresario Jeff Springut discussing the great bands Gadd played with at the legendary club Red Creek. It's not often you find a world-class album centered in Rochester; "Way Back Home" fits the bill.