You know Chris “Daddy” Dave. You may not know you know him, but you do. You’ve heard him lay down beats for chart-toppers like Adele, Justin Bieber, and John Legend. He’s backed gospel royalty, the Winans and Kim Burrell, R&B classics like Mint Condition, jazz greats Robert Glasper and Kenny Garrett, neo-soul pioneers D’Angelo and Erykah Badu, and many, many more. His diverse resume is a who’s who of musical greats and just a glimpse into the influences that brought to life Dave’s latest creation: The Drumhedz.
“Chris Dave is partly responsible for the way a LOT of drummers try to express groove. People trying to cop your licks and chops, that’s one thing, but when you change the way people groove, that’s something wholly different and powerful.” – Michaelangelo Carubba (Turkuaz)
Chris Dave has been playing music nearly his entire life. From an early age, he was swept up into a vortex of different genres, each with its own unique characteristics. The more he played and studied and collaborated, the more these characteristics melded into a sound all his own. It was distinctive and discernible — “like a fingerprint.”
“Chris Dave is an innovator and an inspiration. I am happy and honored to call him family” – Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce/ Nth Power)
The Drumhedz, Dave’s portal of genre-bending collaboration, has a range of style that spans from funk to soul, old-school hip hop to Afrobeat. His “why can’t you” self-titled album is proof that drummers can write, produce, AND arrange. His chance to get artists, who may be normally bound by restrictive, major-label projects to step into a world of creative freedom and expression. Each track, expertly crafted by Dave, is a testament to his genius. Everything on the album is live. The J Dilla-esque beats never looped. The syncopated, layered percussion- multiple drum kits used in a single track. Dave employs a cast of endlessly talented musicians, but it’s his steering of this spaceship that makes the material something special and new, and yet still, uniquely his.
Come see why Rolling Stone named him one of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time. The spaceship lands at Heist Brewery’s Canteen Room on Monday September 24th. — Facebook event page —
“Chris Dave is one of the most forward (and backwards/sideways) thinking drummers of all time. His musical mindset and imagination has helped define a new era of jazz and given new rhythmic life to artists ranging from Adele to Mint Condition. Chris’ ability to be a chameleon puts him in the realm of Harvey Mason (Fourplay, Bob James, Chrick Corea, Herbie Hancock) as well as many others that paved the way for new sounds to be generated. Dave’s own group, Chris Dave & The Drumheadz, is an amalgamation of his own unique tempo slang and beats while percussion and guitar solos flow seamlessly underneath with deep key chords bumping in between. If you’ve never seen Daddy Dave perform before, now is the time to start.” – Patrick Buckley (Akita)
“Dude is the baddest of asses. Heavy bop/jazz/funk goodness” – Adrian Tramontano (Kung Fu)
Black Hole w/ Anderson .Paak