Karl Latham is a NY-based, internationally recognized jazz 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 drummer Karl has performed with a wide spectrum of notable artists including The Fantasy Band; Claudio Roditi; Clark Terry; Hendrik Meurkins; Don Braden; the John Lee Quartet; Michal Urbaniak; Andy Snitzer; Amit Chatterjee; The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni AllStars; Slide Hampton; The Shirelles; Edgar Winter; Johnny Winter; among many others.
Karl is a member of Unit1 with bass legend Mark Egan and Big Fun(k!), a collaborative project with Don Braden, Nick Rolfe and Gary Foote.
Karl is a veteran of the European jazz scene, performing regularly with Wolfgang Lackerschmid since 1993. In 2001 Karl first collaborated with German pianist/composer Johannes Mossinger and has appeared on numerous tours annually and on 5 CD releases to date along with guests Joe Lovano, Bob Malach, Johannes Enders and Don Braden.
Karl performs with his own group and has released two solo CDs to date, Dancing Spirits (1999) and Resonance (2007).
Karl recieved a B.S.S. from Ohio University and studied music performance at Rutgers University, Ohio University and Berklee College of Music. Karl's formal musical training includes private lessons with Gary Chester, Freddy Waits, Michael Carvin, Joe Morello, Joe Cusatis and Muzzy Mizzioni. While in college, Karl won second place in the 1983 Carmine Appice National Drum Battle.
Karl is an Adjunct Professor at the County College of Morris and Passaic County Community College in New Jersey.
Karl is a proud endorsee for Yamaha Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Factory Metal Percussion.
