Drummer Ernesto Cervini is making a name for himself as a consummate bandleader and in-demand sideman, repeatedly praised for his deeply musical, infectiously energetic talents. Time Out New York encapsulated Cervini as “a buoyant drummer as well as a sharp composer and bandleader,” while the jazz bible, Downbeat described his fluid style as one that “exemplifies `float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’.” The drummer released There, his third album as leader of the Ernesto Cervini Quartet, in fall 2011. Reviewing the album, Modern Drummer magazine said:

“Cervini recalls such old-schoolers as Art Blakey and Billy Higgins. . . It’s his robust, magnetic personality that fascinates consistently.”

Reflecting on his role as a drummer-bandleader, Cervini says it’s “more about being a drummer-composer in many ways for me. With a lot of my tunes, rhythm is the thing, but they aren’t all drum solos and pieces in 13/8. I’m not writing vehicles for my drumming prowess, or rhythm etudes. I’m trying to write engaging, involving music, whether the tune is playful or taps some deeper emotion. The time signature doesn’t define the music; the piece of music determines the rhythm. And with my band, the rhythm and time are elastic. We’re interacting with freedom, so the music flows naturally.”

There − Cervini’s first release via New York-based Anzic Records, following his albums Little Black Bird (2009) and Here (2006)− was recorded live, like some of the greatest albums in jazz history. The Ernesto Cervini Quartet features the drummer alongside saxophonist Joel Frahm, pianist Adrean Farrugia and bassist Dan Loomis. Of the recording, The Ottawa Citizen said: “On There, you can often practically hear the musicians smiling and reveling in their creativity and musical repartee. . . some superb, high-energy, spur-of-the-moment music.” A review in The WholeNote added:

“Ernesto Cervini is blazing a path through contemporary jazz with smart new ideas and a burning intensity that shouts to be heard. An album that has be one of 2011’s best.”

About his vision for There, Cervini explains: “My previous album, Little Black Bird, was a studio recording, and when the band toured the material after the record came out, it was amazing to hear how the music came alive − the music was really grooving by the end of that tour. So, for the next album, I wanted to capture that vibe of new material having been honed on the road, and everything came together in Vancouver. The club was packed; so rather than playing to the walls of a studio, we were performing to a lot of people who were totally into it. You can hear us reacting to the crowd and egging each other on.Instead of the usual thing of `Wow, I wish we had recorded that gig,’ we actually got it.”

Cervini was born in Toronto in 1982, studying classical piano and clarinet before focusing his energies behind the drum kit. He graduated with a performance degree in both classical piano and clarinet from Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music, featuring as the piano soloist in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with symphony orchestra and playing numerous shows as a jazz clarinetist, including a tribute to Benny Goodman. Having then graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto (where he now conducts masterclasses) and a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music (during a life-changing sojourn in New York City), Cervini laid claim to a diverse musicianship, one that has taken him to some of the hippest stages in North America. As a drummer, he has been featured as a leader and sideman at the legendary club Birdland, Sweet Rhythm, the Jazz Standard and the 55 Bar in New York City, as well as the Montreal Bistro, Top Of the Senator and the Rex Jazz & Blues Club in Canada. He has performed in such concert halls as Massey Hall, Glenn Gould Theatre and St. Lawrence Center for the Arts, as well as the Sugita Theatre in Yokohama, Japan.

Given the opportunity to share the stage with legendary jazz musicians, Cervini has performed with Joe Lovano, Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Cleo Laine, Pat LaBarbera, Dick Oatts, Buddy DeFranco, Eddie Daniels, Henry Cuesta, Scott Robinson, Dave Binney, Jim McNeely, Phil Nimmons, Peter Appleyard and Ranee Lee, among others. He has opened for such star headliners as Herbie Hancock, Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove, Dave Holland, Roy Haynes and Poncho Sanchez. As a sideman, Cervini continues to play drums for the Amy Cervini Quintet (led by his singer sister), Strange Attractors and the four-part vocal group Monday Off.  In the studio, the drummer has recorded albums with the Tara Davidson Quintet (Code Breaking, nominated for a Juno award), as well as saxophonist Hiromi Masuda (Maybe September) and Amy Cervini (Lovefool). As part of MEM3 with pianist Michael Cabe and bassist Mark Lau, Cervini recorded Pennsylvania Grey, described by The WholeNote as a “tour de force.” Cervini also co-leads the trio Myriad, with pianist Chris Donnelly and bassist Dan Fortin.

Reflecting on the ideal of the drummer-leader, Cervini says that being in the rhythm section means that he “approaches music from the inside, which has real advantages.” He adds: “I think the best drummers are sensitive about letting other players shine. My heroes are guys like Art Blakey, who was obviously one of the all-time great drummer-leaders. He was so great at discovering and featuring the incredible players and composers in his band. Tony Williams was another icon as a drummer, but he was also a great leader with his groups, from electric in the ‘70s to acoustic in the ‘80s. And these days, Matt Wilson is a huge inspiration for me as a drummer and bandleader. His music isn’t drum-centric, and it’s obvious that he’s enjoying himself − it’s infectious for everyone on the bandstand and in the audience, too. That’s the way I want to do things − I want everyone to have as much fun as I’m having up there.”