Greg Hutchinson is one of the most highly regarded drummers of his generation, known for his deep swing, versatility, and unmistakable feel.
Since launching his professional career in the late 1980s, he has performed and recorded with jazz greats including Roy Hargrove, Betty Carter, Joshua Redman, Dianne Reeves, John Scofield, and Ray Brown. Equally fluent in bebop, modern jazz, neo-soul, and hip-hop-infused grooves, Hutchinson has appeared on more than 150 recordings and remains an in-demand collaborator on stages and in studios worldwide.
His playing blends tradition with modern innovation, making him a defining rhythmic voice in contemporary music.
His new album "Kind of Now - The Pulse of Miles Davis" is Gregory Hutchinson’s bold, soulful reimagining of the rhythmic legacy behind Miles Davis.
Rather than revisiting the past, Hutchinson and his all-star ensemble - Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Ron Blake (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet), Jakob Bro (guitar), Emmanuel Michael (guitar), Gerald Clayton (piano) and Joe Sanders (double bass) - channel the spirit of innovation and dialogue that defined Miles’ greatest bands.
The project moves fluidly between swing, groove, and abstraction - a deep, modern conversation built on the pulse that Miles’ drummers once drove. With its lush harmonies, fearless improvisation, and Hutchinson’s signature rhythmic clarity, Kind of Now feels at once timeless and alive - a living heartbeat of jazz that connects the then and the now.
"My sound is rooted in the tradition, but I’m always stretching it.
I want the groove to feel grounded, but I also want the music to have air, elasticity, and possibilities. I’m drawn to clarity, but I love surprise. I’ve spent my whole life studying the language of the greats, yet I’m always carving out my own phrasing, my own touch, my own way of hearing time. I play to lift the band, to support the moment, and to open doors — not close them.
My approach is about balance: swing with depth, modern ideas with feel, precision with emotion. I want every note to mean something, and I want the music to breathe. I’m always listening for the conversation, not just the drum part." - Gregory Hutchinson