Previte was one of few jazz drummers who can also be composers of significant, along with Jack DeJohnette and Bob Moses. Previte earned his B.A. in 1973. Previte received his B.A. in Music at the University of Buffalo. He studied percussion under Jan Williams. In 1979, he moved to New York City. There he worked with many musicians who helped “downtown” become a thriving area. Bump the Renaissance (1987) was his first album as a leader. Pushing the Envelope (1987), and Claude’s late morning (1988) were the next two albums. All three were for Gramavision. These albums received rave reviews and established Previte’s reputation as one the most visionary jazz composers. Previte has composed music for many contexts since then, including the new music aggregation Relache and his Music of the Moscow Circus albums. Previte led several bands in the 1990s including Latin for Travelers and Empty Suits. The Voodoo Orchestra is an 11-piece band that plays music from Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew period. Previte also recorded two albums by Guy Klucevsek as well as an album of electronic music. He also appeared in the Robert Altman film Short Cuts. From www.allmusic.com
