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Karl Latham

Karl Latham is a NY-based internationally recognized drummer. He is known for his exceptional ability to dig into a variety of musical styles, playing straight-ahead jazz, avant-garde, funk, rock, Latin, and more.

As a freelance performer Karl has performed with many great artists including Bernie Worrell, Andy Snitzer, Jerry Vivino, the John Lee Quartet alongside iconic jazz musicians Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, Claudio Roditi and Cyrus Chestnut, the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, The Fantasy Band with Dave Valentine, David Samuels and Chuck Loeb, The Shirelles, Johnny Winter, Howard Paul (Benedetto Guitars President) with Tom Scott, Charlie Elgart and dozens of notable artists.

Karl is widely recognized as a veteran of the modern European Jazz scene since 1993 appearing regularly with German pianist/composer Johannes Mossinger, including 7 CD releases along with Joel Frahm, Joe Lovano, Bob Malach, Boris Kozlov, Seamus Blake, Kermit Driscoll and Don Braden and with German vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid, along with John Lee, Cameron Brown, Michal Urbaniak, the late Attila Zoller, Randy Brecker, Ryan Carniaux and Mark Egan.

Latham performs regularly with bassist Mark Egan with a number of artists including jazz flutist Ali Ryerson. Latham and Egan co-lead with guitarist John Hart, Unit1 a JazzTimes Top 50 CD’s recommendation in 2013 and the 2016 BMW Welt Jazz Award selected group “Constellations”. Karl is co-leader of the critically acclaimed group “Big Funk” with Don Braden.

In the 2013, 35th Annual Jazz Station Poll, Karl was ranked 7th drums and in the 2015 37th Annual Jazz Station Poll ranked 5th.

Karl is an adjunct Professor at Drew University, the County College of Morris and PCCC. Karl is an endorsee for Yamaha Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks and RME.

Karl recently recorded with Vic Juris and Mark Egan for Unseen Rain Records at his home studio with the RME UFX and BabyFace Pro which will be released in early 2016.

"Karl Latham is an inventive powerhouse whose influences are many but whose ideas are his own."
Jeff Tamarkin Allmusic.com