Rutgers IJS Presents Nasheet Waits & Abraham Burton Two Modern Masters

Two Modern Masters • One Uncompromising Musical Conversation

Nasheet Waits is one of the most commanding and inventive drummers in modern jazz, a New York native whose artistry is rooted in lineage, scholarship, and fearless creativity. Encouraged early by his father — the legendary percussionist Freddie Waits, who performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, and McCoy Tyner — Nasheet developed a deep rhythmic vocabulary that bridges tradition and innovation.

He studied psychology and history at Morehouse College before committing fully to music, completing his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Long Island University, where he trained under master percussionist Michael Carvin. Carvin’s mentorship, combined with the influence of Freddie Waits and Max Roach, shaped Nasheet into a drummer of extraordinary depth and clarity.

Waits has performed with Andrew Hill, Fred Hersch, and Jason Moran & The Bandwagon, a groundbreaking trio that has toured internationally and released seven acclaimed albums over two decades. As a bandleader, his ensemble Equality has featured some of the most forward‑thinking voices in contemporary jazz.

Nasheet Waits brings intensity, intellect, and emotional honesty to every performance — a drummer whose sound is unmistakably his own.

Abraham Burton is a world‑renowned saxophonist, composer, and educator whose powerful tone and emotional depth have made him a defining voice on the international jazz scene. A first‑generation American of Belizean descent, Burton grew up in New York City and began his formal jazz training under the legendary Jackie McLean at the Hartt School, graduating with honors.

His professional career launched with iconic drummer Arthur Taylor, touring Europe and performing at New York institutions including The Village Vanguard, The Blue Note, Sweet Basil, Birdland, and more. Early recognition came quickly — Burton won DownBeat’s Best Jazz Combo award and was named Outstanding Soloist, followed by a win at the McDonald’s Jazz Combo CompetitionMason Gross School of the Arts.

Over three decades, Burton has appeared on more than 100 recordings, including two Grammy‑winning albums, and has performed with Jackie McLean, Walter Bishop, Roy Haynes, and other giants of the music. He is also a respected educator, serving as a Lecturer in Jazz Studies and Director of the Rutgers Jazz Lab Band at Mason Gross School of the ArtsMason Gross School of the Arts.

Abraham Burton’s playing is known for its wounded tenderness, explosive energy, and spiritual depth — a sound that stays with you long after the final note.

Together, Nasheet Waits & Abraham Burton represent two towering modern voices — one rhythmic, one melodic — each shaped by legacy, mentorship, and decades of uncompromising artistry. Their performances are conversations: fiery, intimate, and deeply rooted in the Black American musical tradition.

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Host or Publisher The Institute of Jazz Studies Rutgers-Newark