In Part One of this two-part conversation, Bill Summers explained the long path he has followed to learn the art and the history of Bata, placing him firmly in a thousand plus year history of percussionists. We talked about Forward Back, his new project with his longtime friend Scott Roberts, a way to blend spiritual music with the sounds of the modern western world, especially hip-hop. That EP, Yellow Flowers, was released recently on the Ropeadope label.
Part Two follows Summers' 50 year career, as we talk about his time with Herbie Hancock, making Headhunters, Thrust and Flood, plus sessions with the likes of Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Patrice Rushen and many more. We also talk about music in his home New Orleans, and delve into musical history and myth surrounding the legendary figure known as Bras-Coupe.
Musical selections include "Watermelon Man" from Headhunters; "My Ideal" from the Sonny Rollins album Don't Ask, which also featured guitarist Larry Coryell; and "Hang It Up" from Patrice Rushen's 1978 album Patrice.
