The Sound of New York, Damion Reid

"Controlled fury," "Microscopically-controlled beats" ... Damion Reid is known as a drummer who possesses real power, but restrains and channels it nonetheless. This profile, directed by Gloria Rebecchi as part of the brilliant Sound of New York documentary series, pictures an individual who consciously decided to tackle the drums as a young man, like a matador confronting a bull: "The drums were fascinating, they became more alluring and difficult. It was the exploration of the instrument, knowing that there is so much more to learn ... that is one of the biggest highs ever."

Reid played in church as a child and went on to attend the New England Conservatory of Music, where his teachers included Cecil McBee, Danilo Pérez and George Russell, before moving onto the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and finally settling in New York. Since being based in Brooklyn, he has built a reputation as a hugely sought-after kit man, not only in jazz but in hip hop, fusion, R&B and more. Proof lies in his eclectic list of collaborators: Robert Glasper, Terence Blanchard, Cassandra Wilson, Ravi Coltrane, Lauryn Hill, Angélique Kidjo, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jason Moran, Dianne Reeves and more. 

This film explores a singular personality whose character translates to his playing style: "I never wanted to sound like anybody. All the musicians I respect and love, they've always been themselves." Hearing him play is an impressive event, as journalist Ashley Kahn remarks: "he's like an Italian sports car – when he is switching up tempo in the middle of a tune, it's glorious, it just makes you want to put the top down and go faster."