ART - WINTER 2024
ALL THAT
A Night with James Gaiters’ 3DEEP JAZZ Trio
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Story by ALEX LEWIS Photography by AARON MASSEY Design by TORI SMITH
ames Gaiters sits down at his drum set surrounded by candlelit cocktail tables and adults conversing with martinis in hand and even some typing away on their laptops. Together, with longtime friend and tenor saxophone player Edwin (Eddie) Bayard and bassist George DeLancey, Gaiters joins his 3DEEP Trio at the center of Parable, a local coffee shop and cocktail bar. Every Sunday night at this Downtown café, 3DEEP guides expectant fans and passive patrons on a musical traverse of classic jazz and contemporary compositions.
While 3DEEP has been a staple at Parable since August 2023, Gaiters has played music in Ohio nearly all his life. The Zanesville native began playing drums at the age of four with the support of his mother, who was a concert pianist and church organist for Gaiters’ father, the pastor at Columbus’ Grace Apostolic Church. As he got older, Gaiters played in several school and local bands, opening himself to different music styles. Although Gaiters sought to study architecture at The Ohio State University, he turned to music when he found his grades slipping. In search of an easy A, Gaiters decided to take drum lessons. When the faculty caught wind of his skills, he began playing in the university’s jazz ensemble. “The rest was history,” recalled Gaiters.
By the time 3DEEP begins playing, all eyes are on them. Laptops close. The conversations have stopped. Onlookers’ laughter and amazement are reserved for the trio’s most frenzied arrangements.
As a member of The Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble, Gaiters met Bayard on the first day of fall semester in 1995. “It’s always been Edwin and me,” said Gaiters. They bonded over their shared love for the music of Wynton Marsalis and his Young Lions movement, which marked a return to the traditions of classic jazz and pushing the limits of themselves.
For the next three hours, Gaiters and his bandmates pass the rhythm around in waves of ferocity and sweetness. As they play, it’s easy to get mesmerized by the group’s synchronicity. Although it can feel like the music is unraveling into disarray at times, it’s all purposeful, and it remains connected—and the payoff is always satisfying as everyone gets their time to shine.
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