Well, it's been too long, Xombytes. Jack Burroughs here, your favorite, maybe, roving reporter on drums, percussion and everything that you can hit hard. Now, I've written about several drummers over the time that I have contributed to Xomba, but this piece, on my extended family, The Batiste Brothers, is the most important message that I can convey to you and them.

I first came into contact with the Batiste Brothers when I wrote a story about Russell Batiste, who has played with The Funky Meters, etc. But, that does not even tough the surface of how deep the Batiste Brothers are, historically, to the city of New Orleans.

You see, in New Orleans, there are many people that like to take credit for music that really does not belong to them. This, as you probably know, is nothing new to the music business. Now, without naming the guilty, with deal with them later, let's just say that some of New Orleans' most famous music, was written by The Batiste Brothers. Tracks that will
be discussed in a future piece.

Now, I'm so blessed because The Batiste Brothers have given me the opportunity to play with them. The first gig was in 1999, wow it feels like last night. When you play with a really deep band in terms of jazz funk, the music will go where it goes. Uncharted waters, kind of like the Mississippi. For me, it was one of the first times that I had the opportunity to just close my eyes and let it happen. I was playing percussion and it was, to say the least, a magical moment for me.

This is a tribute to the entire Batiste Brother Family. If I leave anybody out, Batistes, by God, I'm sorry. These players, without a doubt, have made history: David Batiste Sr., Russell Batiste, (his son) Paul Batiste, Damian Batiste, Jamal Batiste, They all play drums as well. The Batiste Beat rules! For a drummer, can you imagine how grateful I am for having the opportunity to work with such fine musicians?
More to come. Enjoy the graphic. Batiste=Beat

Best, Batiste Beat Forever: New Orleans First Family of Beat, The Batiste BrothersJack Burroughs "Beat Writer"