Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2012

Drummer Bernard Purdie is so well known, he’s got a rhythm named after him. The Purdie Shuffle sounds super funky and easy, but you’ve got to have master chops to pull it off. Purdie visits Tokyo’s poshest supper club for a two-day engagement with friends including legendary organist Reuben Wilson and jazz guitarist Grant Green Jr. Cutting his chops with James Brown in the 60s, Purdie went on to become musical director for Aretha Franklin in the 1970s. Need we say more?

Billboard Live, Jun 18-19 (listing).