Calhoun, Will (USA)

willcalhoun.com

Will Calhoun, the widely acclaimed drummer from the Bronx, New York, graduated from the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Production and Engineering. He was also the recipient of the prestigious Buddy Rich Jazz Masters Award for outstanding performance by a drummer.

Special kudos for Will's drumming virtuosity include:
Best New Drummer of 1988 by Modern Drummer Magazine's Readers Poll, Number One Progressive Drummer by Modern Drummer Magazine's Readers Poll three times (1989, 1991 & 1992), Best Drummer Of 1990 by Rolling Stone Magazine's Critics Poll.

Will Calhoun's unique blend of improvisational and hard rock drumming can be found on each of Living Colour's four Epic releases: the groundbreaking multi-platinum debut Vivid, the critically acclaimed sophomore LP Time's Up, the 1991 EP Biscuits, 1993’s Stain, and their latest release on Sanctuary Records, CollideØscope. A prolific songwriter, Will co-wrote many Living Colour compositions and wrote the critically acclaimed songs “Pride” on Time’s Up and “Nothingness” on Stain. As a member of Living Colour, Will received Grammy Awards in 1989 and 1990 for Best Hard Rock Performance, and the band also won an International Rock Award in 1991 for Best Rock Band.

In addition to his work with Living Colour, Will has recorded and/or toured with diverse artists including B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jaco Pastorius, Harry Belafonte, Pharoah Sanders, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Simon, Lou Reed, Marcus Miller, Dr. John, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Ron Wood (Rolling Stones guitarist), Wayne Shorter (on the Grammy-winning CD High Life), and even rappers Run-DMC and Public Enemy. As a producer, player, and songwriter, Will worked on Herb Alpert's Grammy-nominated CD Colors.

During Will's downtime, he recorded two solo projects, Housework and Drum Wave. These discs display his acoustic drumset artistry as well as his push toward electronic tonal expressions.

Will, Doug Wimbish, and Vinx joined forces in 1995-96 to form the groundbreaking Ambient World Music band JUNGLE FUNK. Their live CD Jungle Funk is available on Zebra Records in the States and was given Album of the Year mention in Australia.

Will released his first solo jazz CD as a leader in 2000: The Will Calhoun Quintet: Live at the Blue Note. The disc is an adventurous journey through Will’s approach to acoustic Jazz, World and Ambient music. The lineup features Bobby Watson (sax), Terell Stafford (trumpet), John Benitez (bass) and Orrin Evans (piano). DownBeat Magazine, JazzTimes, and Billboard Magazine gave the CD top ratings, and Drum Magazine’s readers poll voted it 1st runner-up for Drummer / Band Leader.

Presently, Will is working with rapper Mos Def as producer and performer. Will has assembled an all-star lineup for this project titled Black Jack Johnson, featuring Bernie Worrell (keys), Doug Wimbish (bass), Doc Know (guitar from Bad Brains), and other special guests, keep your eyes and ears open for this upcoming CD.

For all Living Colour fans, the band continues touring and working on new material. They performed regional U.S. tours in 2001–2004, Spring tours in South America, and various European tours. Check the tour schedule often for updates.

Not many artists have the vision and artistic energy to be Grammy winners and contribute to so many genres, jazz, rock, hip-hop, ambient, etc. while concurrently producing, touring, creating new projects, working on films, and continually pushing the envelope. Will Calhoun has this creative vision and continues to keep music a spiritual and motivating force in his life.