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JJ’s Blues Bar of San Jose, California is famous for hosting great blues acts and consequently, great drummers. It’s been host to few better than one Justin Markovits. I happened to catch Markovits playing for a band called The Blue Eyed Devils at JJ’s about three years ago. They were an exceptional four piece, to which Justin brought a unique style and unforgettable edge. Some months later, while at a Redwood City rehearsal studio, I chanced upon a fusion project called Trip. Trip’s drummer was none other than Markovits. Good fortune would bring to me a new friend in Markovits, and an opportunity to jam with him on a couple of occasions.

Justin is one of those uniquely gifted players that can play with an extraordinarily busy style, while managing to create space for those around him. He also has an artistic side that lends itself to creating percussion gadgets and set-ups that most couldn’t imagine or dare to try. He’s toured and played with a number of great acts, including Chris Cotton, Shanty Town and Trip. You can catch the guy on tour with Vacuum Tree Head this coming October. An unusual side-note is that Markovits has developed a side career as a licensed plumber. Markovits plays a curly maple DW kit with Zildjian complement.

Roberto