Nasheet Waits - Drums

Nasheet Waits (drums) - is a native of New York. His interest in playing the drums was encouraged by his father, the legendary percussionist Frederick Waits who played with artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, McCoy Tyner and many others.

Nasheet studied privately with the renowned percussionist Michael Carvin. One of the worlds greatest percussionists, Max Roach, was his mentor. Max hired him as a member of the famous M’BOOM percussion ensemble where he played with special guests artists such as Tony Williams and Ginger Baker.

Nasheet's talent caught the attention of reedman Antonio Hart, who asked Waits to create the percussion chair of his first quintet. Waits remained a permanent member of Antonio's various ensembles, recording three albums and touring nationally and internationally.

More recently, as an original member of pianist Jason Moran's Bandwagon, Jason, bassist Tarus Mateen and Nasheet have been considered "the most exciting rhythm section of jazz" by JazzTimes.

Nasheet has performed with jazz notables such as Geri Allen, Mario Bauza, Hamiett Bluiett, Jane Bunnett, Abraham Burton, Jaki Byard, Ron Carter, Marc Cary, Steve Coleman, Stanley Cowell, Orrin Evans, Stefon Harris, Andrew Hill, Bill Lee, Joe Lovano, Jackie McLean, Mingus Orchestra, The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Greg Osby, Joshua Redman, Vanessa Rubin, Antoine Roney, Wallace Roney, Shirley Scott, Jacky Terrason and Mark Turner. Waits has recorded and made numerous tours in Africa, Europe, Japan, Canada, South America and the United States.

He has been praised for his musicality and creativity by virtuosos such as Ed Thigpen, Max Roach, Andrew Hill and Stanley Cowell.