The best jazz of 2008...

MVP: Scott Amendola. This workhorse drummer has reversed the usual pattern that says local talents have to flee to New York to find themselves. Born in New Jersey, he moved to the Bay Area in the '90s after attending Boston's Berklee College of Music and has stayed here ever since. Now his buoyant style - always with funk in mind - has made him the most in-demand local drummer. His bands include Plays Monk, the Nels Cline Singers and the Scott Amendola Band, and he's played on dozens of CDs, including those of Bill Frisell, John Zorn, Jim Campilongo, Joel Harrison and Charlie Hunter.

For more information on Scott Amendola and his upcoming tour dates, please visit:

http://www.scottamendola.com

http://www.craviottodrums.com/artists