A Conversation with Gary Husband: Music, Life, & Success

Karl Sterling Podcast

It was an honor to talk with one of my favorite musicians and biggest musical influences, Gary Husband. In this conversation, Gary talks about his journey from early gigs as a teenager with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, to 36 years of working with Allan Holdsworth, to working with John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension, and more. Gary also shares his thoughts about “success” and the difference between waiting for opportunities versus creating opportunities. Be sure to check out Gary’s website and his newly launched VideoCast education videos. They’re amazing! http://www.garyhusband.com Gary Husband is one of a rare breed of musicians in that his expression is divided equally in his capacity as a drummer and a pianist and keyboardist of international repute. His classical roots, his quest and development in the improvisational, jazz and jazz/fusion areas – not to mention his tenure in the pop, rock, funk and blues circuits – are all evident inside Gary’s distinct and far-reaching musical personality. His solo album and DVD output has also reinforced his status as a critically acclaimed writer and arranger in the contemporary music world. For close to four decades Gary has worked alongside a vast and eclectic range of celebrated musicians including John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce (Cream), Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy), British pop/funk band Level 42, Billy Cobham, Al Jarreau, Mike Stern (Miles Davis), John Wetton (King Crimson), Chris Squire (Yes), Andy Summers (The Police), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Robin Trower (Procol Harum), and with producers Sir George Martin (Beatles), Trevor Horn (Grace Jones & Art of Noise), Quincy Jones (Michael Jackson), Jerry Hey and James Guthrie (Pink Floyd). Further associations and performing/recording credits include his work with Randy Brecker, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, fusion/jam band Gongzilla, Germany’s NDR Bigband, Soft Machine, Maria Schneider, Christian McBride, Eddie Van Halen, Dean Brown, Bob Berg, Nguyên Lê, Joe Lovano, Charles Tolliver, Bireli Lagrène, Peter Erskine, Ron Sexsmith, drum n’ bass protagonists Lemon ‘D’ and Dillinja. As an internationally established drum clinician he has performed alongside Dennis Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta, Terry Bozzio, Billy Cobham, Simon Phillips, Omar Hakim, Ricky Lawson, Todd Sucherman, Paul Wertico, Denny Seiwell and Bernard Purdie, and most recently has been developing a series of motivational videocasts in drumming. His alter-ego as a pianist/keyboard player brings an extra dimension to his musicality at the drums. Indeed, he has been the keyboardist & second drummer in John McLaughlin’s 4th Dimension since 2007. Gary continues to devote a substantial proportion of his time recording and performing worldwide across many styles of music.