Native Son Michael Waldrop

• 1 Native Son 06:34
• 2 Vasconcelos 07:57
• 3 Pythia: The Speaking Water 06:17
• 4 El Vino 06:27
• 5 Belgrade (Београд) 06:02
• 6 Bitter End 04:43
• 7 Still Life 07:38
• 8 The Wrong Blues 06:35
• Total Runtime 52:13

Info zu Native Son

Well known throughout Europe for decades, the virtuoso Serbian pianist Vasil Hadžimanov only became known to drummer Michael Waldrop while performing in a Belgrade club that Waldrop dropped in on during one of his yearly visits with in-laws. Later, stuck in his Pacific Northwest home during the pandemic, Waldrop thought to include Vasil in a remote recording session of his tune "Belgrade," which he had composed in 2001, reflecting the feelings of his first exposure to the city. Thrilled with the outcome, they eventually met in a Belgrade studio in 2024, joining with the equally inspired Macedonian bassist Martin Gjakonovski, to record this set of Waldrop originals as a trio. Waldrop then enlisted Brad Dutz and Jose Rossy to enhance the proceedings with an array of Afro-Cuban and Middle Eastern percussion instruments. Running the gamut from the churning percussion-fueled title track to tender ballads, and spirited tributes to masters Nana Vasconcelos and Elvin Jones, Native Son is another vibrant offering from Waldrop's growing catalog of ambitious releases.

Vasil Hadžimanov, piano
Martin Gjakonovski, bass
Michael Waldrop, drums
Brad Dutz, percussion (tracks 1-3, 5-7)
Jose Rossy, percussion (tracks 1-3)
Chris Symer, bass (track 5)

Michael Waldrop
was born in Los Angeles, California. He has toured the world, performing with Ballett des Theater Koblenz, State Street Ballet, and Pasadena Dance Theatre, as well as guest performances with Odyssey Dance Theatre, Seamless Dance Theater and the Covent Garden Dance Company’s international gala, Ballet in the Park. During this time, he performed in the classical and contemporary works of Peter Chu, Andreas Heise, Daniel Ezralow, Steffen Fuchs, Bella Lewitzky, Cathy Marston, Ihsan Rustem, Tom Ruud, William Soleau, Uwe Scholz, and Josie Walsh.

From the world of concert dance to the commercial industry, Michael has also appeared in the feature film Underground Comedy, ABC’s Bunheads, Nickelodeon’s Fresh Beat Band, and the Emmy Award winning opening routine of the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Other credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, industrials for Disney and MAC Cosmetics, performances at Los Angeles’ Music Center and the Getty Museum for the Dance Camera West Film Festival, the American Choreography Awards, and a feature in an edition of Life Magazine.

Michael has choreographed original works for Theater Koblenz, Marymount Manhattan College, and the Joffrey Ballet School, as well as instructed for the School of State Street Ballet, the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance, and Peridance Center. Michael has served as Associate Artistic Director of the NYC Jazz & Contemporary Trainee Program and the Artistic Director of the NYC Pre-Professional Jazz & Contemporary Summer Intensive at the Joffrey Ballet School.

He is currently Full-Time Faculty, Contemporary Program Manager, and Manager of the Current Contemporary Performing Ensemble at the Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City. He tours the country as an adjudicator and faculty with the Universal Ballet Competition.

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