Lenny White
Lenny White stands out as one of the most significant drummers of the last four decades. A masterful exponent of diverse styles, his drumming has been imprinted on several milestone records of popular music. Since the very beginning of his career, Lenny has played with many of the best jazz and fusion musicians, his unmistakable sound being the touchstone of memorable studio sessions and world tours. As a drummer and producer–and often, as both–he has been featured in over 240 albums. Lenny White truly is a Music Master.
Lenny has been sharing the bandstand with the big names in jazz since he was eighteen. After joining legendary Jackie McLean in 1968, he would play in Miles Davis' album Bitches' Brew, a milestone of jazz music. In 1970, he joined trumpeter Freddie Hubbard for his Red Clay album, together with legends Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Joe Henderson.
In 1972 Lenny was approached by Chick Corea to join Return to Forever, also featuring Stanley Clarke and Al Di Meola. The group won a Grammy Award for its No Mystery album in 1975, and a gold disc a year later for Romantic Warrior.
Lenny has established himself as a prestigious session drummer. He has recorded and toured with artists such as Gato Barbieri, Jaco Pastorius, Michel Petrucciani, Eliane Elias, and Stan Getz, among others. He has produced several dozen albums for artists such as Nancy Wilson, Wayne Shorter, Grover Washington and Chaka Khan.
Over a long and fruitful career, Lenny has left an indelible mark on the history of jazz and fusion music. Though his sound has evolved over the years, his drumming has always been imbued with a classical sense of authenticity. Lenny achieves the feat of expressing the essence of any style through his own characteristic groove–and in this thriving balance one finds the roots of Lenny White's musical voice.
Read what Lenny has to say about technique acquisition, jamming and improvising, becoming a pro musician and much, much more. Read his exclusive interview.
Lenny White's official website
