(May 12, 2017) With more than a few years in the music business and as an in-demand jazz drummer, Louis Hayes is one for whom it is safe to use that old cliché that “he’s played with them all.” Hayes grew up in Detroit, a city that in the 60s became known as the home of Motown and the Sound of Young America. However, Detroit has long had a reputation as a great jazz town. Hayes began in Detroit before moving on to New York, which by that time had become the epicenter of the jazz world. And over the years, Hayes played legends such as Cannonball Adderley, Oscar Peterson, Dexter Gordon, McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard, just to name a few.
(May 12, 2017) With more than a few years in the music business and as an in-demand jazz drummer, Louis Hayes is one for whom it is safe to use that old cliché that “he’s played with them all.” Hayes grew up in Detroit, a city that in the 60s became known as the home of Motown and the Sound of Young America. However, Detroit has long had a reputation as a great jazz town. Hayes began in Detroit before moving on to New York, which by that time had become the epicenter of the jazz world. And over the years, Hayes played legends such as Cannonball Adderley, Oscar Peterson, Dexter Gordon, McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard, just to name a few.
Hayes' biggest influence came when he signed on with legendary hard bop pianist Horace Ward Martin Tavares Silver. Hayes sat in the drummer’s chair with Silver for three years, during which time he played on classic recordings such as “Senor Blues.” Hayes had joined Adderley’s band by the time Silver released perhaps his best-known album and the equally famous title track “Song for My Father.”
Hayes' latest project, Serenade for Horace, honors the music of his mentor Horace Silver, and includes “Song for My Father.” We are giving SoulTrackers a chance to hear Hayes’ take on “Song for My Father,” a tune that Silver released as an instrumental back in 1963. On this Blue Note release, Hayes gives the tune more of the breezy West Coast swing and with the addition of lyrics and the soulful vocals of the ubiquitous Gregory Porter, this number really clicks. Check it out.
By Howard Dukes
Louis Hayes feat. Gregory Porter
"Song For My Father"