| Terry Bozzio on Gravatt: |
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The first time I saw Eric play was at the Keystone Corner in San Francisco, and seeing him play changed my life. There isn't — and maybe never will be — anyone who plays drums with that much intensity. I never fail to mention Eric at my clinics.
I was greatly drawn to his aura behind the kit. And I tried to learn everything that Eric played. His approach comes through in my playing to this day — more than anyone else's.
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| Wayne Shorter on Gravatt: |
| "Eric was the one. Miles wanted him, but he came with us in Weather Report. Eric is teaching now, and he is still explosive when he speaks. He had bounce in his rhythm that would bounce off the floor and carry the music up to the ceiling. He had this ethnic sound - the continent of Africa - but with grace. He has a dignity and the flavor of Africa, and of metropolitan cities, all with the element of surprise." |
| Bill Cole on Gravatt: |
| Eric was outstanding. Like another great young drummer, Tony Williams, Gravatt has the savvy to listen to what the soloist is playing and to accompany him in a manner that will put the fire and drive into the solo improvisation. He also develops what Clifford Thorton calls a "circle of sound," poly-rhythms and things going with each limb.
Gravatt also played only one solo and it was fascinatingly organized. He built the solo like Frank Lloyd Wright would build a house, organically. It's very difficult for someone who doesn't play the drums to understand how a drummer coordinates himself - how he's able to get his legs and his arms going in a different direction. The left hand spinning, the one stick switching from snare to high-hat, the right foot hitting the other snare straight on. The left foot hitting the bass with still another time and the right smashing down on the cymbal with a good mixed time. And when you're really good like Gravatt, it's sheer magic.
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| performed with:
Weather Report
Joe Zawinul
McCoy Tyner
Wayne Shorter
Woody Shaw
Sam Rivers
Eddie Henderson
Julian Priester
Takehiro Honda
Masabumi Kikuchi
Terry Plumeri
Lloyd McNeill
Natural Life
Andrew N. White III
Byard Lancaster
Joe Henderson
Sonny Fortune
Miroslav Vitous
Airto
Dom Um Romao
....and many more
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