Biography
Ghost-Note operates as an inventive percussion-driven collective that merges the abilities of Snarky Puppy drummers Robert "Sput" Searight and Nate Werth. Teaming with a shifting roster of associates, the ensemble produces an energetic, wide-ranging mix rooted in groove-centered funk, EDM, hip-hop, jazz, and rock. The project surfaced in 2015 via its first release, Fortified, which climbed to the summit of the digital jazz rankings. Shaped by sources including James Brown, J Dilla, and Herbie Hancock together with West African, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian rhythmic lineages, Ghost-Note has broadened its approach across later projects such as 2018's Swagism and 2024's Mustard n'Onions.
Before entering Snarky Puppy, Searight and Werth each refined their craft through jazz studies at the acclaimed University of North Texas. Searight, a Dallas native, reached Snarky Puppy ahead of his partner after gaining notice with Kirk Franklin and other figures active in the local gospel milieu. Werth, who grew up in Indiana, stepped into the forward-thinking, cross-genre unit almost immediately after completing his UNT degree and quickly developed a rapport with Searight. The pair then conceived their own outfit built around percussion as the primary engine. In 2015 they issued Ghost-Note's favorably received opening album Fortified, which drew input from a host of associates that included Nick Werth, Jason "JT" Thomas, Shaun Martin, N'Dambi, Mark Lettieri, Caleb McCampbell, and additional players, and it secured the number-one position on the digital jazz albums charts.
They followed two years afterward with Swagism, which incorporated guest spots by Justin Stanton, Karl Denson, Kamasi Washington, and further musicians. Ghost-Note's third album, Mustard n'Onions, appeared in April 2024 and featured contributions from Marcus Miller, Eric Gales, Bernard Wright, and others.
Before entering Snarky Puppy, Searight and Werth each refined their craft through jazz studies at the acclaimed University of North Texas. Searight, a Dallas native, reached Snarky Puppy ahead of his partner after gaining notice with Kirk Franklin and other figures active in the local gospel milieu. Werth, who grew up in Indiana, stepped into the forward-thinking, cross-genre unit almost immediately after completing his UNT degree and quickly developed a rapport with Searight. The pair then conceived their own outfit built around percussion as the primary engine. In 2015 they issued Ghost-Note's favorably received opening album Fortified, which drew input from a host of associates that included Nick Werth, Jason "JT" Thomas, Shaun Martin, N'Dambi, Mark Lettieri, Caleb McCampbell, and additional players, and it secured the number-one position on the digital jazz albums charts.
They followed two years afterward with Swagism, which incorporated guest spots by Justin Stanton, Karl Denson, Kamasi Washington, and further musicians. Ghost-Note's third album, Mustard n'Onions, appeared in April 2024 and featured contributions from Marcus Miller, Eric Gales, Bernard Wright, and others.
Albums
Singles
