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Jeff "Tain" Watts facts for kids

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Jeff "Tain" Watts, born on January 20, 1960, is a famous American jazz drummer. He has played with many well-known musicians. Some of these include Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Betty Carter, and Michael Brecker. He is known for his amazing drumming skills in the world of jazz music.

Quick facts for kids
Jeff "Tain" Watts
Jeff Tain Watts.jpg
Watts performing with Wynton Marsalis in JazzFest 2007
Background information
Born (1960-01-20) January 20, 1960 (age 65)
Easton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Origin Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Musician, bandleader, actor
Instruments Drums
Labels Dark Key Music
Associated acts Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, The Tonight Show Band

About Jeff "Tain" Watts

How He Got His Nickname

Jeff Watts got his cool nickname "Tain" from his friend and fellow musician, Kenny Kirkland. They were on tour in Florida. They drove past a gas station called "Chieftain." That's how the nickname "Tain" came to be!

His Musical Journey

Jeff Watts studied music at Berklee College of Music. This is a very famous music school. While there, he met Branford Marsalis. Branford Marsalis is another famous musician. They became important musical partners. In 2017, Jeff Watts received a special award. It was a Guggenheim fellowship for music composition. This award helps artists create new music.

Jeff Watts' Music Albums

Jeff "Tain" Watts has released many albums. Some of these albums are his own. On others, he played drums for other artists.

Albums as a Leader

These are some of the albums where Jeff Watts was the main artist:

  • Megawatts (1991)
  • Citizen Tain (1999)
  • Bar Talk (2002)
  • Detained at the Blue Note (2004)
  • Watts (2009)
  • Folks Songs (2011)
  • Family (2011)
  • Blue, Vol. 1 (2015)
  • Blue, Vol. 2 (2018)
  • Detained in Amsterdam (2018)

Playing with Other Musicians

Jeff Watts has played drums on many albums for other artists. This is called being a "sideman." He has worked with many jazz legends. Here are some of the famous musicians he has played with:

Awards and Honors

Jeff "Tain" Watts has won many important awards. The most famous are the Grammy Awards. These awards celebrate the best music each year.

Grammy Awards

Jeff Watts has won several Grammy Awards. He has also been nominated for many others.

Year Category Title Result Notes
1985 Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group Black Codes From the Underground Won with Wynton Marsalis
1986 Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group J Mood Won with Wynton Marsalis
1987 Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group Marsalis Standard Time - Vol. 1 Won with Wynton Marsalis
1992 Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group I Heard You Twice the First Time Won with Branford Marsalis
1990 Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group Crazy People Music Nominated with Branford Marsalis Quartet
1999 Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or Group Requiem Nominated with the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
2000 Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or Group Contemporary Jazz Won with the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
2004 Best Jazz Instrumental Album by an Individual or Group Eternal Nominated with the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
2010 Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album Mingus Big Band Live at the Jazz Standard Won with the Mingus Big Band
2023 Best Opera Recording Fire Shut Up in My Bones (Blanchard) Won with the Metropolitan Opera
2024 Best Opera Recording Champion (Blanchard) Won with the Metropolitan Opera
2025 Best Jazz Performance Phoenix Reimagined (Live) Nominated Lakecia Benjamin ft Randy Brecker, Jeff Tain Watts and John Scofield
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