Michael Carvin is one of those modest but very talented musicians who during the whole of their career have flown under their potential listeners’ radar. Still, Carvin has succeeded in putting his personal stamp on contemporary American music in relative anonymity. As Motown’s house drummer, for instance, and as the motor of the bands of Dizzy Gillespie and Jackie McLean. In the 32 years that he was the head of the Michael Carvin School of Drumming he delivered a great many top drummers including Ralph Peterson Jr. and Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin & Wood). Thanks to the album Carvin was allowed to record for the Marsalis Music Honors Series this monumental veteran steps out of his self chosen anonymity. For the recording the drummer surrounded himself with three young talents, whom he prefers coaching instead of a teaching. With the concert that Carvin gives with the same quartet, he will introduce himself to the international public in Rotterdam – and introduction he’s deserved for years.
