Neoteric Drum Set Orchestration: An analysis of Nate Wood’s drumming on the music of Tigran Hamasyan

Abstract

Nate Wood is a highly acclaimed multi-instrumentalist who pushes the boundaries of drumming in a contemporary jazz setting. Wood is well known for his playing with Tigran Hamasyan, Wayne Krantz Trio and Kneebody. This study focused on the orchestration approach of Wood within the context of Tigran Hamasyan’s original compositions. Wood’s drumming was analysed through transcription and interview to further gain insight into his drumming concepts. These findings contribute to knowledge on contemporary jazz drumming and specifically Wood’s playing, which has not been the topic of a research paper before. Analysis of Wood’s drum parts and improvisation within drumming frameworks point to an extended role for drummers in a contemporary jazz setting. These findings will also be highly informative for my practice, the practice of others and for developing new approaches to drum set orchestratio