A solid straight-ahead drummer, Brian Melvin may be most notable for leading a trio date with pianist Jon Davis that would be electric bassist Jaco Pastorius' final recording, Standards Zone on the Global Pacific label. Melvin was first introduced to jazz when he saw the Buddy Rich big band. When he was eight, Melvin received a snare drum and a cymbal for Christmas. He developed quickly and by the time he began high school, he was playing at teen club dances and jamming regularly with rock groups. Growing up in San Francisco, Melvin had opportunities to see many of the top jaz...