Rayford's Back!

**PocketPlayer** · September 12th, 2002, 07:47 AM

Several posts ago someone asked about Rayford Griffin. I know he was in a serious auto accident- Zoro had a special announcement in his magazine a year ago. I've always loved his playing w/Jean Luc Ponty.
I saw Rayford Thursday (9/11 show)on The Craig Kilborn Show playing with Marilyn Scott. He was hot! He had his ride cymbal just over his hats- talk about playing a pop-ish tune creatively. The song played was a real moody, sensitive to 9/11 type song. So tasty and musical.
I didn't even know who Marilyn Scott was but during some channel surfing I stopped because I thought the song was interesting. The camera was on the singer most of the time and I thought the drummer was great. Then, a drummer shot- Rayford's back!

**Randy walker** · September 12th, 2002, 12:26 PM

very kewl to hear, great drummer.

**FuseU1** · September 14th, 2002, 01:12 AM

- u know what's funny Pocket? I was watchin that Kilborn show at the time, & when Marilyn came on I hit record on the ol' VCR, so I was able to tape a large portion of that tune [not the whole song, but at least 1/2 of it] - but I didn't recognize it as being Rayf at 1st, so I went back & checked it out [after I read your post the next day!], & sure enuf, there he was [he's gained a little weight since I saw him w/ the Stanley Clarke Band, late 80's, & in clinic, early-2-mid-90's - that SC show was a KILLER show, w/ Scott Henderson on gtr, BTW] - & I guess he's had his head shaved 4 awhile since then.] He did some really tasty stuff in that tune [as I go back & listen to it.] I'm really glad I got what I did on VHS ....

**FuseU1** · September 14th, 2002, 01:22 AM

- BTW, [speak'g of Zoro] - I saw him here recently in clinic [almost a month ago, now], & he was actually a very good clinician, IMO, AWA a really decent player. He ended his clinic w/ a really well-played latin tune w/ solo. Solid, good-feel'g pocket. & he had some very proactive & positive things to say. All in all, was a good clinic.

Also [BTW] - any chance that you [Pocket] recorded that whole Marilyn Scott tune off '9-11 Kilborn'...?

**PocketPlayer** · September 14th, 2002, 06:38 AM

Only for you Fuse my man! I might have a special little surprise...as you know I have to get my VCR going (thanks for the recording tips) and I taped an old SNL w/Vinnie and his canary yellow Gretch kit (I think it was Gretch) w/Frank. I'll try to record both for you- Rayford & Vinnie- the old & the new! Billy Ward also did a great job w/Joan Osborn the same night on Conan- covered an old Stevie Wonder tune w/large choir- great job of apply the concept of 'undertow' as he laid out in MD during this tune. I emailed him after the show and here's what he said;

"Regarding undertow on that song. The song is "Love's in need of love today" It was originally written and performed by Stevie Wonder. Motown vibe. The tempo is 95bpm. With a straight 8th note feel, my undertow on this song is kind of a dotted quarter note thing. Also, I'm VERY aware of a bigger time feel... in other words... I'm feeling each HALF note as a quarter note - and maybe even each whole note as a quarter note (which means that after one - two -three - four, I've just finished four measures) get it?

Very cool guy!

**beat Hit** · September 14th, 2002, 04:41 PM

Rayford's playing is sweet indeed!! I saw him with Ponty in 1982, was so young then, and WOW!! I had to fall in love with drums after witnessing such a performance!!

He'll be performing at the Montreal Drums Festival this coming November, I'll have to go. Besides... Paul Brochu one of my major influances(Vannelli, UZEB, Caron) has been given the Saturday night to perform with various guests... Not only that but also Omar Hakim is to open up the Fest Friday night with an all star band...

www.montrealdrumfest.com

Can't wait to see Rayford again... Like wine, he must have gotten better with time!! LOL!!

Ciao

**PocketPlayer** · September 14th, 2002, 05:42 PM

Hey, I keep hearing a lot about Paul Brochu here. Can you recommend some performances so I can check him out? Maybe a bio or website?

**beat Hit** · September 14th, 2002, 07:59 PM

Pocket,

I suggest UZEB World Tour, Alain Caron "Play" but there are many others too... He does not have a web site though. You may be able to see stuff on www.alaincaron.com too... UZEB was a band that you HAD TO see perform live to really get addicted.

He's a drummer with great tastes that always brings what's right to the musical context. He's not necessarily about chops although he's got some. He has an awesome ears, groove, swing, pocket, fire and heart, etc. A musician's drummer maybe? For Gino Vannelli to have hired him on the last two tours is significant and also for Weckl to mention Brochu's performance he had seen with Vannelli as being "incredible" in the 20th Anniversary Sabian Newsbeat issue says it all.

Ciao,

**beat Hit** · September 25th, 2002, 03:52 AM

Sad to report that Rayford has cancelled his Montreal Drum Fest performance...

They've updated the site where you can now see ach and everyone's biography.

www.montrealdrumfest.com

Ciao,