Nate Smith is one of the most influential drummers and musicians of today! Stylistically, his music, his drumming, his collaborators, and his influences go everywhere. Talking about and finding the musical connections between Betty Carter, Michael Jackson, Dave Holland, Bill Withers, Chris Potter, The Pointer Sisters, Victor Wooten, Paul Simon, Lionel Loueke, JDilla, Robin Eubanks, Earth, Wind & Fire, Elvin Jones, Brittany Howard, Chuck Brown, D’Angelo, The Police, and the importance of cross-stick and snare drum sounds all in the same interview is a musical adventure. But it’s all the same to him (and me.) Maybe his wide musical vision is why Nate has been named the artistic director of the legendary Newport Jazz festival for the next three years. Encompassing all of the above, and more… Nate’s new record Live-Action is an exciting musical adventure unto itself. The music on Live-Action brings people together. It has some very drummy […]

July 2026 Issue