Drummer Gerald Cleaver Profiled

From the Detroit Free Press:

More than any other Detroit jazz export of his generation, drummer Gerald Cleaver has earned his reputation on the cutting edge. The secret to his originality? Well, the first thing he will tell you is that he’s not trying to do anything new.

To put it another way, Cleaver sees the big picture, and he’s interested in everything except novelty.

“I’m just continuing in my personal fashion with what I grew up with,” said the 51-year-old drummer. “I think that’s all anybody really does. No matter what I’m playing, I’m looking for a connection to infinity. I think getting preoccupied with creating something new handicaps you from actually doing it.”