I first became aware of Brad Webb as part of Extended Trio and got to see them play in St. Paul, MN a couple of years ago.
I didn’t know anything about the group, other than that they were from New Orleans, which was enough for me. Later I’d find out how lucky I was to see them this far north. They’re all incredible musicians and rarely travel up this way as a group.
I was immediately taken with the whole band and watching Brad play is infectious. He’s got such a contained energy and his ideas flow freely.
I got to talk to him after the show and learned that he has a deep classical music background and studied at New England Conservatory.
He also showed me his beat up ride cymbal (I think I remember him telling me that he found it near a shed in a rural area) and introduced me to LA Backbeat drumsticks, which are made in Louisiana.
Brad Webb Making Faces
Aside from playing in Extended Trio and other groups, Brad Webb is a composer and has his own group that’s active in New Orleans.
Brad’s new album was just released. Get it on Bandcamp.
Update – June 2020
Here’s a new interview with Brad from the Talkin’ Jazz: The Virtual Sessions. Fred Kasten hosts the long-running Talkin’ Jazz interview series, which is a collaboration between the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Enjoy!