Nasheet Waits Music Director & Drums
Nasheet Waits is a New York native. His interest in playing the drums was encouraged by his father, the legendary percussionist Freddie Waits. Nasheet’s college education began at Morehouse in Atlanta, GA, where he studied psychology and history. He continued his education at Long Island University with Michael Carvin, whose tutelage built upon the foundation of influences from his father, mentor Max Roach, and percussionist Fred King. Waits joined Andrew Hill’s band through 2005, Fred Hersch’s band for 10 years, and toured with New Directions. Born from the New Directions was Jason Moran and the Bandwagon—a group with Waits and bassist Tarus Mateen—with seven albums and numerous performances over 20 years.
Waits is also the leader of Equality, which since 2007 has featured talent such as Logan Richardson, Darius Jones, Jason Moran, Stanley Cowell, Craig Taborn, Aruan Ortiz, Tarus Mateen, John Hebert, and Mark Helias. Waits is the co-leader of the band Tarbaby with bassist Eric Revis and pianist Orrin Evans; 3rd Eye, a trio with tenor saxophonist Abraham Burton and drummer Eric McPherson; and Options with Eric Revis and Bennie Maupin.
Amidst his performing, recording, and touring, Waits teaches private lessons, stressing a personal approach to drums and music. He has been on the faculty at the New England Conservatory of Music since 2020. True to his personal philosophy of balancing tradition and modernism, Waits collaborates and performs regularly with musical cohorts, contemporaries, and masters.