Yuku free message boards

In keeping with the spirit of making WAI challenging for the ears, this track will make you work, most certainly!

It may sound obscure, but there are some well known artists playing on the track.

This person is also known for other musical skills besides drumming.

Good Luck..

No, not at all..

Yelltempus is definitely in the right territory.

Stevie is a great guess, logical and timely.

But this drummer, unlike Stevie, is not a household name..

I have been quite occcupied working today..

All of you have made excellent guesses, and like Yelltempus, you are definitely in the right time zone.

Unfortunately, it is not Gadson, Gadd, Robinson or Hooper.

Navin and I had a similar feeling (and amba can confirm this) that it was Gadd playing, in fact, on another song from this particular recording,Gadd did play.

Stix is guessing right in terms of the song being from the same era, it is very "Crusaderish"

Since so many have heard this in the sound/tuning of the drums and or instruments, I will say that this song was recorded in the 70s.

Your ears are hearing correctly sir! as Ed McMahon might say.

As a second hint, I would say, listen to the melody to see if it sounds familiar.

Even though, as amba points out correctly, that this drummer "literally IS History", this drummer is alive and well with is own "My Space" page..

Thanks for the guesses!

Wow, a lot of talented people made some great guesses here, especially Yelltempus, who actually nailed the composition, not an easy task.

Tempus is also correct that the song has been sampled by many rappers and other artists.

Also, especially, thanks to amba for starting this and being a great communicator and collaborator!

Now..drum roll..............................

The correct answer is Mr.Grady Tate.

Born in Durham, N.C., Grady Tate began singing at age four and he began playing drums at age five. For the past three decades his distinctive sound has graced literally hundreds of recordings with world-renowned artists such as Quincy Jones, Jimmy Smith, Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz, Pearl Bailey, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Della Reese, Sarah Vaughan, Michael LeGrand, Lalo Schrifin, and Andre Previn. He graduated from North Carolina Central University with a degree in English literature/drama and a minor in Psychology. He taught English and Speech in Washington, DC, but his desire to pursue an acting career lead him to New York City and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Once in New York, however, his reputation as an outstanding musician resulted in work with Quincy Jones.

Singing is also a natural talent of Mr. Tate. After the legendary Peggy Lee heard him sing and introduced him as a part of her show, his musical dimension expanded radically. He has been described as "the best singer to emerge from the ranks of instrumentalists since Nat Cole." His most recent CDs as a vocalist are TNT-Grady Tate Sings and Body and Soul (Milestone). Mr. Tate received two Grammy nominations as "Best Male Pop Vocalist" (1973 and 1989). The Manhattan Association of Cabaret Singers recognized him as "Outstanding Male Jazz/Blues Vocalist." Mr. Tate performed six years as drummer for Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. He served as assistant conductor and drummer for Broadway shows Lena Horne, The Lady and Her Music, and Black and Blue. Mr. Tate has been on the Howard University faculty since 1989.

As you can see, Grady has an amazing voice as well, I learned a lot about this drummer who isn't a household name, even among drummers!


Follow the links below for more on Grady:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGJVXuGxty4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPggjEs5ENI

http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Grady_Tate.html

The song credits:

.

Summer In The City (4:05)
(Steve Boone/John Sebastian/Mark Sebastian)
Quincy Jones, conductor, leader; Eddy Louiss - organ; Dave Grusin - electric piano; Chuck Rainey - electric bass; Grady Tate, drums; Valerie Simpson, vocal solo; Strings section; Arranged by Quincy Jones; Rec. 1972 & 1973 in NY & Hollywood; Produced by Quincy Jones & Ray Brown; From "You've Got It Bad Girl" (A&M 3041)
________________________________________________________________________________________