
Album Details
Label: InnervisionGenres: Jazz
Styles: Fusion
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Genres: Jazz
Styles: Fusion
New Jersey-based drummer and percussionist Pat Petrillo has worked with a number of top R&B and fusion artists as well as establishing himself on Broadway. Pat’s 2025 album Contemporaneous takes its cues from a wide range of instrumental music forms like jazz-rock, funk and fusion and the end result is a mix of exciting sounds. A fine example of Pat’s daredevil sound can be heard on “How’s The Weather” featuring Pat’s driving drum sound backed up by the scintillating guitar sound of Oz Noy. Pat also adds in percussion and additional keyboards on various tracks.
A wide range of top fusion musicians appear on Contemporaneous including Scott Ambush (bass), Blake Aaron (guitar), Matt Rohde (keys), Mike Cordone (trumpet), Lemar Guillary (trombone), Scott Mayo (tenor sax), Phillip Wack (alto sax). Special guests artists here include Oz Noy (guitar), Gary Grainger (bass), Chieli Minucci (guitar), Will Donato (tenor sax and flute), Scott Mayo (tenor sax & flute), Nile Rodgers (guitar) and Chris Fischer (keys).
In addition to the hard-driving fusion tracks, there’s also some smooth jazz vibes heard on the track “Summer In Philly” with some tasty guitar work from Special EFX guitarist Chileli Minucci. A good example of the funky side of Contemporaneous can be heard on the track “On The Regular” featuring more burning fusion guitar sounds by Oz Noy and a funky horn section.
The title track, clocking in at under 2 minutes, is a real mystery with spoken words over a wild percussion backdrop. The album then follows through with an assortment of white-hot fusion sounds, so hot in fact that they almost threaten to blow the lid off the album. The album closes out with the driving force of “Glide In My Stride”. If you like your instrumental jazz fusion hard and fast, look no further than Pat Petrillo’s Contemporaneous.
RMR Speaks To Pat Petrillo
RMR: How many albums have you recorded and can you compare your earlier works with Contemporaneous? Also, tell us about recording Contemporaneous at the historic Sunset Sound studio in Los Angeles.
Pat Petrillo: This is my 3rd solo album, and my best by far. This album contains no cover arrangements at all, it's all original which is a first for me. It's truly all my influences wrapped up in one record. We recorded in Studio 2 at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, and that was a room where many great tunes were cut, like Toto, and many "Wrecking Crew" sessions. The video for "Fused" shows how cool the vibe is there. Charlie Waymire, a top L.A. engineer and drummer, captured great drum sounds.
RMR: Why did you call the album Contemporaneous and can you tell us something about the title track? It clicks in under 2 minutes, it’s pretty wild sounding.
Pat Petrillo: Contemporaneous means multiple things happening at the same time and place, which describes this record...multiple groove genres in one place at the same time. So, the track "Contemporaneous" is an "art piece" much like The Beatles "Revolution 9". It literally is multiple things happening in one place... contemporaneously.
RMR: How did you select the musicians to record with you on Contemporaneous? You have some great guitarists on the album including Oz Noy and Chieli Minucci as well as B.D. Lenz and Blake Aaron and also Nile Rogers and Richie Nobrega, Jr. I also like the “swamp harmonica” sounds of Rob Paparozzi.
Pat Petrillo: I first start with what bass players I would want to play with and Gary Grainger and Scott Ambush are at the top of that list. Then, keyboardist Chris Fischer I've known for 30 years, and he cowrote a few of the tracks with me, and his versatility is necessary on this album. Then, I got the top L.A. horns to cut “Fused” and “Late Night Diner” live. The rest of the horns were cut in Jersey by Steve Jankowski (Chic) and Tom Timko (Miami Sound Machine).
On guitar, New York ace Oz Noy is amazing, unique, and I needed his vibe on these tracks, as well as another New Yorker Chieli Minucci... they do it all, as well as Blake Aaron. I also featured Will Donato from L.A. on sax for "Summer In Philly", which is charting very well in the smooth jazz market. Rob plays harmonica on "Grizzle", a swampy New Orleans inspired track.
RMR: How important is the guitar sound in jazz-rock fusion and how much of an influence was Weather Report on your own sound and what other artists were you influenced by over the years from both rock, jazz and beyond?
Pat Petrillo: This album depends a lot on guitar, and the elements of Weather Report are more in the compositional aspect and keyboards. This album is a combination of Snarky Puppy, Earth Wind & Fire, the Brecker Bros, Grover, and so many others, it was really fun to blend all these influences together.
RMR: Do you have a drum endorsement? Tell us about your drum kits and what are your favorite drum companies?
Pat Petrillo: Yes, I've endorsed Ludwig and Zildjian for years. Ludwig sent over a Classic Maple kit to Sunset Sound for this record. For recording, you really can't beat, pardon the pun, a rich, warm Maple kit. It records great. I use the K Custom Organic Ride that I designed for Zildjian, which is 21", and a special 19" prototype crash ride I also designed. I like thin K's, which is why I used the new Paper Thin crashes in various sizes. For High Hats I use a special mix. A 14" K Mastersound bottom, and a thin Kerope on Top.
RMR: You mentioned Ringo Starr as an influence, so how about other rock drummers and jazz drummers that influenced you?
Pat Petrillo: Well Ringo was my first influence, and still is, in terms of how he crafted parts. Then Steve Gadd, of course, Jim Gordon, Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks, all the great drummers of the past, Tony Williams, and watching many young drummers of today inspires me as well. We are all learning from each other.
RMR: What musical plans do you have for 2025 as far as concerts, writing and recording and session work? Will there be a follow up album to Contemporaneous in the not too distant future?
Pat Petrillo: The rest of the year is all about promoting the album with a record release show at The Cutting Room in NYC August 17th.
There may also be an LA show at The Baked Potato towards the end of the year. The album is also submitted for Grammy consideration. Not writing anything yet, but there’s always stuff sketched out, so maybe next year will resume.