JOHNNY VIDACOVICH

Dr Watson Biography The Universe Gigs Contact VOWA JOHNNY VIDACOVICHWELCOME.......... Johnny Vidacovich personifies the New Orleans drumming aesthetic. He can, and has, played it all, from backing Professor Longhair to co-founding modern jazz ensemble Astral Project. Both on and off-stage, Vidacovich moves to his own beat. Vidacovich has nurtured the next generation as a teacher. His pupils include Galactic drummer Stanton Moore who, with his combination of power and groove, has built a formidable reputation of his own. In a city laden with renowned drummers, Vidacovich is iconic. As a boy, older musicians picked him up "to go play music" -- labels, he thus learned, were best ignored. His animated, idiosyncratic style is rooted in New Orleans street beats, but is highly adaptable and expressive. He's ignited stages around the globe and appeared on more than 250 recordings. His modern jazz ensemble Astral Project, founded in 1978, released its sixth studio album, "Blue Streak," during the 2008 Jazzfest. His influence extends deep into the next generation. Galactic's Stanton Moore, World Leader Pretend's Arthur Mintz and jazz-funk-hip-hop drummer Kevin O'Day all studied in his house. Former student Brian Blade -- whose credits include Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones and Wayne Shorter -- adorns the July cover of Modern Drummer magazine and cites Vidacovich's influence in the accompanying interview. "K. Spera, the Times Picayune, New Orleans, LA