John Betsch facts for kids
John Betsch (born October 8, 1945) is an American jazz drummer. He is known for his amazing drumming skills and for playing with many famous jazz musicians around the world.
About John Betsch
John Betsch was born in Jacksonville, Florida. His family was well-known and respected. His grandfather, Abraham Lincoln Lewis, was a very successful businessman. His grandmother, Mary, had ancestors who included an English colonist named Zephaniah Kingsley and Anna Kingsley, who was an African princess.
John's mother was a church organist and pianist, so music was a big part of his family. His older sister, Marvyne, was a talented singer. John started playing drums when he was nine years old, in his school orchestra.
When he was 18 and still a student at Fisk University, John began playing music professionally. He played with pianists Bob Holmes and Ernest Vantrease, and trumpeter Louis Smith. He later studied music at Berklee College of Music and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. There, he learned from jazz legends like Max Roach and Archie Shepp.
In 1975, John released his own album called Earth Blossom. That same year, he moved to New York City. In New York, he played with many great musicians such as Marion Brown, Paul Jeffrey, Max Roach, Jeanne Lee, and Henry Threadgill.
From 1977 to 1979, John joined Abdullah Ibrahim's music group. Then, from 1980 to 1982, he played with Archie Shepp's band. This band included Hilton Ruiz on piano, Santi Debriano on bass, and Roger Dawson on congas and percussion. In 1983, he recorded with Roger Dawson's septet, which was a group of seven musicians. After this, he became a member of quartets led by Marty Cook.
Since 1985, John Betsch has lived in Europe. He has continued to play with many artists, including Jim Pepper and Mal Waldron. He also plays in a band with his wife, Claudine François, who is a French pianist. In the 1990s, he played with Steve Lacy and Özay Fecht. He also formed a trio with Elvira Plenar and Peter Kowald. John has recorded music with other artists like Thomas Chapin, Marilyn Crispell, Klaus König, Billy Bang, Sathima Bea Benjamin, Uli Lenz, and Simon Nabatov.
Music John Betsch Has Made
As a Leader
- Earth Blossom (Strata-East, 1974)
Playing with Others
John Betsch has played drums on many albums with other jazz musicians. Some of these include:
- With Billy Bang on The Fire from Within (1984)
- With Marilyn Crispell on Spirit Music (1983)
- With Abdullah Ibrahim on The Journey (1977)
- With Steve Lacy on albums like Anthem (1990) and Monk's Dream (2000)
- With David Murray on Flowers Around Cleveland (1995)
- With Jim Pepper on Dakota Song (1987)
- With Mal Waldron on Mal, Dance and Soul (1987)
