Join the vibrant and exploratory Kirkwood Ballers Club, the avant-garde monthly forum held every third Thursday at the eyedrum art & music gallery. This month, we are proud to present a special guest who embodies the adventurous spirit that defines KBC: Washboard XT.

Washboard XT, the artistic alias of Newman Taylor Baker, born in 1943, revolutionizes the washboard as an electro-acoustic musical instrument. By employing expended shotgun shells on each finger, he enhances his instrument with microphones and effects pedals, creating a sound of remarkable presence and versatility. His approach treats the washboard like a hand drum, focusing on touch and the interaction between shell and surface to produce diverse textures, colors, and articulations. Over his long career as an internationally esteemed jazz drummer, Newman has interpreted drum parts for renowned composers such as Henry Threadgill, Diedre Murray, Leroy Jenkins, McCoy Tyner, Billy Harper, Sam Rivers, and Matthew Shipp. His innovative technique allows his washboard to complement a broad spectrum of musical genres.