Bernard Purdie was born to play the drums. As a six-year-old he banged out rhythms on improvised equipment. At fourteen he purchased his first real drumset and began to play professionally with country and carnival bands. This "schooling" enabled Purdie to feel his way into nearly every kind of music, because, as he says, "'I had to know all styles, and I was never afraid to try something new."

After finishing high school Purdie gigged around New York before landing his first hit with King Curtis. This led to an engagement with Aretha Franklin in 1970-and the beginning of an unparalleled career. Since then, Purdie has been a regular figure on stage and in the studio with the stars of jazz, soul, and rock. Just a highlight list of his credits includes The Brecker Brothers, Paul Butterfield, Joe Cocker, Larry Coryell, Miles Davis, Hall & Oates, Isaac Hayes, B.B. King, Al Kooper, Herbie Mann, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, and Cat Stevens. With over 3,000 albums to his credit, as well as regularly producing projects under his own name, Bernard Purdie can legitimately lay claim to the title of "the world's most recorded drummer."

And let's not forget that Purdie can also lay claim to a beat that he created, and that bears his name to this day. "The Purdie Shuffle" has laid the groove for hundreds of successful tunes...many of which were played by Purdie himself, but most of which featured other drummers "borrowing" from the master. (No less a drum great than Jeff Porcaro admitted that his legendary "Rosanna" beat was simply a variation on the Purdie Shuffle.)

Known as one of, if not the, funkiest drummers alive, Purdie has decidedly never limited his talents to any one musical realm. Rather, he has consistently sought out new musical experiences. He's anchored sessions with the Rolling Stones, James Brown, and Tom Jones with equal ease, proving that he can comfortably combine precision playing with an unshakeable groove.

It's rare to be in the presence of genuine greatness. It's rarer still to be able to interact with such greatness in an intimate setting. We encourage you to take full advantage of the unique opportunity afforded by Bernard Purdie's appearance at Drum Road Trip 2010.