282: Lenny White (Miles Davis, Return to Forever, etc.)

We’ve taken the last few weeks off to make room for important social dialogue. We’re happy to return with a beautiful conversation with one of the all-time great drummers, Lenny White. Lenny first achieved international recognition for his contribution to Miles Davis’s landmark Bitches Brew album, and he continued to make history with artists such as: Return to Forever, Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter, Joe Henderson, and many more. As a solo artist, Lenny has released 16 titles; and he’s produced for artists such as Chaka Khan. He talks about growing up in Queens, being mentored by Tony Williams, his first gigs with Jackie Mclean, working with Miles a mere five years after he first played drums, and the importance of embracing that which one is uniquely qualified to offer artistically.