Chris "Daddy" Dave

[glynes]

You can see him in the new Modern Drummer magazine ... very nice article and interview. I had the pleasure of watching him work with Billy Preston recently, and got to chat a bit with him while waiting for BP to sign autographs. He's one of the most laid-back drummers I've seen, real cool, but he threw in a hot lick every now-and-then that gave me the shivers! Had a sweet technique on the high-hats that has sent me back to the practice room to do some serious work!
I'll try to scan a pic from the magazine and add it in.

[Bernhard]

He played also with Pat Metheny!!!

Must have serious chops so


Bernhard

[glynes]

Thank you!
That's such a great picture ... exactly how he looked playing for Billy Preston. I was worried about him because he just didn't look like he was having a good time! But when they finished with 'Jumpin' Jack Flash', he got right into it, and was laughing along with everybody. And when I got to talk to him, I discovered he has a great smile, a really positive attitude, and just thought that nobody would be paying much attention to him.
8-)

[jamsjr44]

He also played with a band called Mint Condition on some of their songs, I am so glad someone else has heard of him and seen him. He is awesome!

[beatadrum]

what series are those sonors he has??

[Anchein Vouivra]

I've seen Chris Dave twice with the Meshell Ndgeocello Spirit Music Jamia. He's the most impressive and charismatic drummer I've ever seen, a real groove generator. He mixes jazz/dub/african/r'n'b rythmes in huge jams, and show off some incredible breaks you always think is off-tempo, but it's not, it just penetrates yer mind then yer body and makes you wanna scream AAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrrrGGGG WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?????????? If you can see him once, don't hesitate, it influenced me, changed my vision of drumming and..................frustrated me.
Anyway he's been also playing with Kenny Garrett on Standards of language: Killer album with killing musicians.
He also have a hip-hop band called The foundation.
He's really my favorite seen live. I also realized how the HHX evolution O-Zone crash cymbal could sound so cool when it so wisely used.

[sandstone]

i recently picked up ron blakes cd called sonic tonic... this dude can play the drums!!!! he is not on all the tracks but on the tracks he is on, he tears up!!! keep it going Chris.

[GuySmiley-TPhiM-HU]

I first met Chris as a freshman in 1990 at Howard University. He asked me to help him setup for an 8 timpani solo with the Howard University orchestra. Thanks right… 8. Quite naturally that put a pause in my step. His practice room was across from me and have seen/herd many amazing things he did at that time… down to the audition tape he sent in for Mint Condition. That 8 timpani solo really humbled me as a percussionist. Drummer World you need to actively seek/get/ask for some video footage. Truly and utterly amazing drummer. He makes the top 10 drummers list in my book. Don’t believe me… go take a look. I know he is on the wish list. You guys have a great site.

Keep hope Alive


[Freddie Freeloader]

i think its about time this man got a page on drummerworld. no pressure bernhard, but please do SOMETHING!

[Freddie Freeloader]

chris dave with meshell ndegeocello, montreux jazz festival, 2003.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3DQhdZSHfo&search=Ndegeocello

[RegTyler]

I just saw Chris Dave with the Jabene Ensemble. Wow!!!!!! an incredible combination of swing, groove, taste and technique. I called my son to tell him about him and he told me he also plays with Me'shell Ndegeocello. This guy is in a class by himself and I'll be on the lookout for any of the groups he plays in. He is truly an amazing musical talent.

[jamsjr44]

i think its about time this man got a page on drummerworld. no pressure bernhard, but please do SOMETHING!

I agree he is one drummer I would love to hear more of. Some guys get too much press that do not deserve it, and others that don't are never heard of.

[jared grier]

my dad has know chris daddy for 10 years

[jared grier]

my dad was a pro on drums like chris they used to practice for hours

[jared grier]

you should put him drummerworld sometime

[missy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NLuTeHJarY

[torpedoboy]

Yep, I've checked out that youtube piece. It is absolutely sick. Why in the world does Chris not have a profile on this site? He is, without a doubt, one of the freshest drummers out there.

[sshu]

What other albums does Chris Dave play on that people recommend? I just got Kenny Garrett's "Standard of Language". Chris Dave is a monster. Reminds me of Jeff "Tain" Watts and Tony Williams a bit.

Steve

[SpencerJ]

All I can say is incredible!! Yes, I definitely remember Chris from his stint with Mint Condition and also from playing with Gospel artist Kim Burrell and a few others. He is without a doubt one of the most slept-on drummers in the biz today. I had the opportunity of seeing him perform at the Blue Note in NYC a few weeks back with friends & special guest Stokley of Mint Condition. Awesome show! Somebody give this brother front page on Drummers Magazine!!

[Freddie Freeloader]

i'm sorry but check this out :
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1835705615]

and this too : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGJOgeNx5pQ&mode=related&search=

it's a shame he still doesn't have a page on drummerworld considering he is quite possibly one of the most influential and important drummers of his generation.

[lapente]

From france : it is not a serious magazine if they don't sacralise this guy, he plays like nobody before, and the reason is that most of people can't hear what he's really doing. Real music only for real people.

[Erik Lund]

I really like his playing on...that Kenny Garrett album I have (what's the name?...) but I remember the first time I listened to the whole album and at the end, the last few tracks thinking "holy crap he just got a lot better on these tracks, that's amazing!" and it turned out that Eric Harland was the drummer...


But still, great player. One of my favorites in the straight-ahead/modern scene.

[slingerland755]

i'm sorry but check this out :
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1835705615]

and this too : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGJOgeNx5pQ&mode=related&search=

it's a shame he still doesn't have a page on drummerworld considering he is quite possibly one of the most influential and important drummers of his generation.

Just saw this guy. He owns the "time." Great!

[jastjohn]

The thing I wonder is whether this is a generation gap thing... In my experience, drummers over 35 (inc. a ton on this site) have never heard of this guy. On the other hand, I am 20, and friends with a bunch of other drummers my age. Let me tell you: you cannot be a serious drummer in music school right now without copping this guy. He is the most original sounding drummer most of us have ever heard, at least in the sense that his playing is the most original right now in 2007 now that "everything's been done." He even said in an MD interview that he got sick of the fact that so many drummers have the same licks, so he just came up with his own bag. Just like that. It's to the point now where if you play a particular lick, other cats will be like: "A Chris Dave lick!" It must have been like this if you played a Gaddism in the 70s.

But for real, most kids in jazz school right now are part of this feeling that the next generation of jazz musicians are going to make their mark by creative integrations of hip-hop playing--we're on the verge of it right now with Robert Glasper and others honing in on that new sound--and Chris Dave is the embodiment of what it means to play drums for that style. He has the most seamless fusion of real hard bop and hip hop licks to date. He does not sound like what "hip-hop/jazz" previously brought to mind, the stereotype session cat who swings like a cold robot. You just gotta see this cat play live to understand what it's about. I've seen him four times and talked to him twice. He is truly humble. Amazing.

But yeah. It's kind of dramatic, but honestly, I am not alone in thinking that Chris Dave is going to go down as one of the most influential drummers ever, next to Buddy, Gadd, Vinnie, Tony, Elvin, etc. We'll see when the world catches up to him... and for god's sake, give him a page!

[Mikey D]

Along with ?uestlove, Mark Guiliana and Brian Blade; "Daddy" Dave is one of my favourites. I still don't understand why he doesn't get more attention.

As Jastjohn says he really does fuse hiphop and jazz in a very organic way compared to most other drummers who are trying to do this (which I have noticed happening even more now around the college where I study).

[Mikey D]

He's playing with Robert Glasper in the UK in a few weeks...I'm so excited!

Not only is he playing right near where I study in Birmingham, because we have a deal with the promoter we get in free!

I can't wait to meet "Daddy"!

Any drummers in or near Birmingham, Edinburgh, London, Gateshead or Leeds should make the effort to see him in person. The man is unreal!

[Mikey D]

Just got back...CD absolutely killed it! THE best (IMO) and nicest drummer I have seen live.

When can he have his own page!?

He's got the next Erykah Badu tour aswell.

[bmore drummer]

I saw him for the first time in BMore with Badu at The African American Heritage Fest he played so well. He is definitely a favorite. Does anyone have any transcripts to share of him?

[raje.a]

isnt youtube great ...any ideas on his cymbal set up...are they 16 inch hats..and those crashes are beautiful...I would love to see him play in Australia.

[eldowns]

Hey, can anyone tell me the issue of Modern Drummer that Chris had an interview in?