Kevin Crabb Celebrates the Release of Waltz For Dylan 8/30

The Kevin Crabb Quintet will perform songs from his new CD as it's official release party at Typhoon Aug. 30th at 8P with John Beasley on Piano, Edwin Livingston on Bass, Kim Richmond on Alto/Soprano Sax, Brian Swartz on Trumpet and Kevin on Drums.

Kevin's recently recorded his CD, "Waltz For Dylan" features the debut of his original compositions performed with John Beasley on piano (MiLes Davis), the legendary bass/piano/vibraphonist Don Thompson on bass, and virtuoso Kelly Jefferson on sax and is available from: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kevincrabb

About Kevin Crabb:
As a dual citizen living in L.A., Kevin has had the pleasure of playing his music with famous players such as Patrice Rushen, John Beasley, Kai Akagi, Alphonso Johnson, John B. Williams, Brandon Fields, David Garfield and many others. Kevin was recently featured on the cover of Drums, Etc in the December 2010 issue and was in a featured article again regarding his famous "Drum Hangs" in the June 2011 issue. Kevin was also recently featured in the June addition of Modern Drummer - a precursor to the release of his most recent work co-authored with Richard Martinez, entitled "Levers and Wrists Turns." - the first of a series of articles to appear in the September 2011 issue in Modern Drummer under "Strictly Technique." The article discusses the Murry Spivack/Richard Wilson approach to snare drum technique. Kevin is also endorsed by Paiste Cymbals, Mapex Drums, Aquarian Drum Heads, and
Hart Electronics. 

Kevin Crabb walks, to borrow from an ancient Scottish saying, with jam on both feet. It's not just that he's an accomplished drummer and composer. Think of it. As we speak, Kevin has gained a toe hold in the Grammy camp. Even if he loses he wins. Add to that the fact that with this album, Kevin has made giant steps into a jazz community in need of respite from the standards.

I speak as a drummer who has made a transition from almost daily studio work to occasional producing. That is, I've been on both sides of the glass. And I write about it in magazines and now on a website. The truth is that the same things that make drummers exciting are the things that make them as welcome as racehorses at a gArden Party.

Blessedly there are no such calamities in the present instance. Kevin Crabb is not going to sacrifice his compositions to arbitrary tom fills or crash cymbal excursions. This is not to say he's tinkling in the background, not when Don Thompson has loaned Kevin his personal stash of old K Zildjian cymbals and a Ludwig Jazzette kit that hearkens to Roy Haynes; or when Kevin is inspired by the classic overtones of a Steinway grand.

This is a work distinguished by tightly executed ensemble figures emerging naturally from fine tunes, spiked with bouts of rousing collective improvisation, captured in one full day, not three months. The jazz is alive, when, for example, Kevin's singing/urging leaks through his overhead mics in "Snow". The jazz gains from Thompson's uncanny ability to get more bottom end from his upright on up-tempo numbers than others manage on ballads. The jazz feeds from Jefferson's ability to pump like a fire hose. And the jazz takes sustenance from Beasley comping, then standing out so effectively, as in "Spirit Dance"; here he's getting frisky as he makes the transition from samba march to montuno, a shout-chorus call that demands appropriate responses from Crabb.

If Richard Wilson can hear this album from beyond the pale, and Kevin knows that his mentor will spite the devil to do just that, he's grinning ear to ear, secure in the knowledge that he's one up on the deal he made with his student. The terms were simple. Richard would tutor Kevin in the craft of drumming and nurture the higher faculties; Kevin Crabb would pay handsomely in works of art.

T. Bruce Wittet
Drummer, music industry journalist (editor: Drums Etc; senior writer: Modern Drummer; correspondent, Rhythm, Down Beat, etc), founder Tbrucewittet.com, online magazine for drummers.

When: Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
Shows: 8:00 and 9:30pm
No Cover - No Minimum • Reservations Suggested @ 310.390.6565

3221 Donald Douglas Loop South
Santa Monica, CA 90405-3213

To view articles and more information, please visit: http://www.kevincrabb.com