The Cutting Room New York, NY
Contact: fiona@thebloomeffect.com
Players: James Biscuit Rouse, producer, drummer, vocals; V. Jeffery Smith, woodwinds; Igmar Thomas, brass; Mark Bowers, electric guitar; Shelly Spruill, electric bass
In N.Y.C.’s plush Cutting Room theater, James Biscuit Rouse invited artists and fans to celebrate one of his personal heroes—the late Buddy Miles. At the end of 2024, Rouse released a tribute album, Biscuit and Buddy, honoring Miles’ legacy. A drummer himself, Rouse brought his personal flair to Miles’ iconic repertoire.
Before the performance, a distinguished panel briefly assembled on stage. Led by Billy Amendola and Maria Malito, artists Vernon Reid, Marcus Machado, Corky Laing, Liberty Devitto, and Will Calhoun gathered to offer personal tributes to Buddy Miles. To them, he was larger than life, equal parts legendary and notorious. They took turns sharing personal anecdotes, reminiscing on instances when Miles inspired them or made them laugh. It set a warm and reverent tone for the rest of the night.
To bring Miles’ music to life, Rouse assembled an all-star team of musicians. Alongside featured musicians Mark Bowers, Igmar Thomas, V. Jeffery Smith, and Shelly Spruill, special guests Vernon Reid, Marcus Machado, and Arden Altino made notable appearances onstage.
As the drummer and vocalist, Rouse was tasked with anchoring the group, providing a solid foundation for other instrumentalists to layer their sound. Rouse’s drums fluidly flexed different muscles across the set, driving energy, adding funk accents, or getting the audience on their feet. Supported by drums, the guitar and bass lines soared. The bassline remained a steady force, grooving through and deepening the colors.
Throughout the evening, Rouse welcomed guest guitarists Machado and Reid, and keys player Altino, to the stage. Machado played first, bringing a clean, rock tone to his solos. Reid followed, casting swirling runs over other layers. At one point, both guests returned to join Bowers. Despite the potential for overcrowding, all artists maintained a laidback stage presence, giving space for their talent to draw listeners into the fold.
