Jermal Watson
Jermal Watson
Independent


Jermal Watson can easily be considered one of New Orleans' musical Lions, having achieved a professional reputation that few can claim at such a young age. Like many of the Crescent City's best, Watson's musical career began in Church at the tender age of 6, expanded to the Greater New Orleans area, and is now taking him all over the world as one of the most in-demand touring and recording drummers of New Orleans. Jermal has studied under some of New Orleans most notable groove keepers including: Russell Batiste (Funky Meters), Gerald French (Original Tuxedo Brass), Terrance Higgins (Dirty Dozen), and Raymond Weber (Dr. John), to name a few. While learning from great teachers, Watson continues to hone in on his own unique style of representing the Groove. Through regularly crossing the boundaries of musical genres from Gospel to Jazz, Rhythm and Blues to Funk, Watson has created musically rhythmic hybrids clearly and uniquely his own. Jermal has toured nationally and internationally with bands as varied as Walter "Wolfman" Washington and the Roadmasters, Big Sam's Funky Nation, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Vasti Jackson, Nicole Jones and Craig Adams. Additionally, he has performed with recording artists; Kirk Franklin, Twinkie Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Charmaine Neville, Irma Thomas, Fat's Domino, Davell Crawford, Delfayo Marsalis, Papa Grows Funk and the New Orleans Rhythm Conspiracy, illustrating his status as one of the Crescent City's most in-demand drummers. Watson continues to be booked solid; working locally, globally and racking up an ever-increasing number of recording credits. These credits include: "Your Change is on the Way"; The Life Center Cathedral 2009,"Dancin' Ground"; New Orleans Rhythm Conspiracy, "Live At Three Muses" Glen David Andrews 2011, "Mainline" Mainland Brass Band 2011,"Twenty Dozen" Dirty Dozen Brass Band 2012, "Eddie Roberts West Coast Sounds" 2012, "Invisible Love" Bob Andrews and others. Jermal Watson is a man to watch. You would think that the demands of his touring and recording schedule, articulating other artists music, would be more than enough; but Jermal Watson doesn't just play the drums. He is an artist and writer as well. His newest original funk fusion project, "Watson's Theory" is shaping up to make waves in 2013 and beyond. Catch him while you can. This multi-talented musician is on his way to the top.

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