Drumming News :
Acclaimed jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader Devin Gray has built a career by refusing to follow conventional paths. In a two-part interview with Something Else! Reviews, Gray shared insights into his musical journey, the mentors who shaped his career, his philosophy as a composer, and why Berlin has become the ideal place for his creative work.
Growing up in Maine, Gray discovered music at an early age through family members who played piano. He quickly developed a passion for drumming, performing gigs while still in high school and realizing long before college that music would become his life’s work.
When asked about making his debut album alongside accomplished musicians such as Mike Formanek, Dave Ballou, and Ellery Eskelin, Gray explained that he never viewed the project as overly ambitious.
“I was exploding with music,” Gray said. “I already knew that I wanted to be a musician.”
Gray credited influential teachers, including saxophonist Gary Thomas, for encouraging him to trust his instincts instead of copying other artists. One lesson has stayed with him throughout his career.
“You really just have to find your own thing that you like… it really has to come from the inner self of truth.”
The interview also explored Gray’s evolution as a composer. Rather than writing music simply to showcase technical ability, he believes every composition should communicate something meaningful. He said artists have a responsibility to make statements that matter, even if listeners interpret those messages differently.
Another fascinating part of the discussion focused on Gray’s decision to launch his own label, Rataplan Records. Instead of waiting for others to release his music, he chose to take control of the entire process.
“I can get it out there faster, and keep moving,” he explained, noting that owning his work allows him to spend more time creating music instead of navigating the business side of the industry.
The second half of the interview shifted to Gray’s growing connection to Europe, particularly Berlin, where he has found an energetic and supportive community of adventurous musicians. He discussed forming new ensembles with European performers and praised the city’s collaborative atmosphere, describing it as a place where experimentation and artistic growth are encouraged. Those experiences have expanded both his musical vocabulary and his opportunities to work with artists from around the world.
Throughout both interviews, Gray’s passion for continual growth stands out. Whether discussing composition, performing, recording, or collaborating with musicians across continents, he consistently emphasized curiosity, honesty, and dedication to the craft over commercial success.
The wide-ranging conversation offers an engaging look inside the mind of one of today’s most innovative jazz drummers, revealing not only how he developed his unique musical voice, but why remaining authentic continues to guide every decision he makes.
To read the complete two-part interview, visit:
Part 1: HERE
Part 2: HERE