Nasheet Waits


Nasheet Waits is an American jazz drummer.
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Early life and career

Waits is a New York native who has been active on the jazz scene since early in his life. His father, percussionist Freddie Waits, died when Waits was 18.
Before pursuing a music career, Waits studied psychology and history at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He also holds a degree from Long Island University in music. While he was studying at L.I.U, instructor Michael Carvin secured Waits a spot in the percussion ensemble M'Boom, started by his father and drummer Max Roach in 1970.
Waits's longstanding projects include Jason Moran & The Bandwagon, a trio with Moran, Waits, and Tarus Mateen; Tarbaby, a trio with Eric Revis and Orrin Evans; and his band Equality.
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused massive flooding in the basement Westbeth studio Waits had inherited from his father in 1989.
In 2020, his group Nasheet Waits By Sea, a quartet with Nduduzo Makhathini, Immanuel Wilkins, Rashaan Carter, opened the Winter Jazzfest’s Manhattan Marathon.

Selected discography

As a leader

Equality Between Nothingness and Infinity New York Love Letter
With TarbabyTarbaby The End of Fear Ballad of Sam Langford Fanon Dance of the Evil Toys

As sideman

With Ralph AlessiBaida Quiver
With Dave DouglasSpirit Moves United Front: Brass Ecstasy at Newport Rare Metal
With Antonio HartFor Cannonball and Woody All We Need
With Tony MalabyTamarindo Somos Agua Palomo Recio
With Jason MoranFacing Left Black Stars The Bandwagon Same Mother Artist in Residence Ten All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller Thanksgiving at The Vanguard Looks of a Lot
With Armen NalbandianQuiet As It's Kept The Holy Ghost Fire Sign Live in Little Tokyo Vol. I Live in Little Tokyo Vol. II Ghosts Live on Sunset
With Tim BerneThe Coandă Effect Tangled
With others