“The multi-time Grammy winner is at the forefront of this music called jazz. His musical expeditions continue to bring new and exciting perspectives to this forum from his explorations of Afrofuturism, avant-garde with urban beats, blues, Indigenous sounds, and West African rhythms all merging from the Black diaspora.”
- The New York Amsterdam News
Sounds
Will Calhoun is a Bronx Born, two-time Grammy winner from the iconic genre bending Rock band LIVING COLOUR; who has been inducted into National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. Will graduated from the Berklee College of Music, where he received his bachelor's degree in Recording and Engineering; and was the recipient of the prestigious Buddy Rich Jazz Masters Award for outstanding performance by a drummer.
He’s produced / toured with Harry Belafonte, Pharoah Sanders, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, Buster Williams, Public Enemy, Lauryn Hill, Yassin Bey (aka Mos Def) Herb Alpert, Mic Jagger, Oumou Sangare and many others.
Will has four Grammy nominated Jazz recordings:
- “Will Calhoun Quintet - Live at the Blue Note”, featuring Bobby Watson. (Half Note Records)
- “Native Lands”, featuring Pharaoh Sanders, Buster Williams, Wallace Roney, Stanley Jordan, and more. (Half Note records)
- "Life in This World", featuring Ron Carter and Donald Harrison. (Motema Records)
- “Celebrating Elvin Jones”, featuring Christian McBride, Keyon Harrold, Jan Hammer and more. (Motema Records)
Will has invested over 25 years of personal research in the Outback of Australia, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Belize, and Northern Brazil to document and study the true history of the drums, rhythm, sonic vibrations and their impact on modern music. Will is an inventor and avid user of technology and it’s unique role in creating music. “Simultaneously studying the past and future of music/rhythm is essential in today’s musical environment”.
On April 24th, 2023 Will received the "Cultural Vanguard Award" from The Bronx Museum for outstanding performance, interdisciplinary cultural research, and reinvesting his talents / knowledge in the Bronx.
Will fearlessly blends African sounds with urban grooves, a bit of Jazz with a pinch of electronica, presenting music for the World.
Visit Willcalhounart.com to witness Will’s extraordinary and unique “Rhythm Art” canvas pieces.