Michael Avery

Michael Avery has been holding down the beat for one, two, three, four decades and counting. Blues, gospel, jazz, country, rockabilly, rock and roll — he doesn’t specialize because he doesn’t have to. The music tells him what it needs, and he delivers.

The résumé speaks loud enough on its own. Chuck Berry. Hubert Sumlin. Big Walter Horton. Big Mama Thornton. The Fabulous Thunderbirds. James Cotton. Pine Top Perkins and The Legendary Blues Band. Luther “Georgia Boy” Johnson. Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson. Johnny Shines. Sunnyland Slim. Robert Jr. Lockwood. Sammy Lawhorn. Matt Murphy. Geoff Muldaur. David Maxwell. Bob Margolin. He’s sat in with legends and played like he belonged there, because he did.

That range has taken him places most drummers never see — motion picture soundtracks, symphony orchestras, solo dance accompaniment, and every size room in between. He reads the situation before the downbeat and plays what the moment requires. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Michael Avery is still working, still in demand, and still showing up with the same thing he’s always brought: steady hands, good ears, and the kind of taste you can’t teach.