On December 7th, Chris Dave and the Drumhedz received a GRAMMY nomination for their debut self-titled album in the Best Urban Contemporary Album category where they’ll be up against the likes of The Carters and Miguel. Led by drummer, composer, and bandleader Chris Dave, the Drumhedz’ album was released on January 26, 2018 via Blue Note / GLOW 365, earning praise from NPR Music, The New York Times, Billboard, Uproxx, Okayplayer, BrooklynVegan, and Afropunk. Guests on the album include Anderson .Paak, SiR, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Bilal, Phonte, Elzhi, Anna Wise, and dozens more.

Listen to the album here: https://chrisdave.lnk.to/thedrumhedz

Chris Dave has drummed for everyone from Adele to Bieber and Dolly to D’Angelo; Questlove once described Chris as his “worst nightmare” and Rolling Stone named him one of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time. The Drumhedz is a family of musicians whose credits coil like ivy around nearly every pillar of modern sound. It’s a place without genre, where elements of funk, soul, gospel, hip-hop and jazz mix until they’re an indistinguishable surging mass of solid groove.

Chris Dave and the Drumhedz is an album Chris has been building toward his entire life. He first reached for the sticks at 3, hoping to hit skins for his brothers’ funk group. He was denied, but found his second chance at church, initially on percussion. By the time Chris hit middle school, he was drumming for Houston choirs backing singers like Kim Burrell and Yolanda Adams. He attended the revered High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, then received a full ride to Howard University, but dropped out to join Mint Condition. After that the work started pouring in, playing sessions with Lionel Richie, Mary J., and Kenny Garrett. In studios, on tour and in private, he was perfecting his style.

Chris’ need to absorb all he heard paid off – from 2009 to 2012, he worked on three Grammy-winning albums across three genres: Maxwell’s BLACKsummer’snight, Adele’s 21, and the Robert Glasper Experiment’s Black Radio. In the personnel credits for those LPs, you’ll find the foundation of the Drumhedz.

There are nearly 50 Drumhedz on this record, spanning core crew like Pino Palladino (bass), Isaiah Sharkey (guitar), Cleo “Pookie” Sample (keys), Sir Darryl Farris (vocals) and Keyon Harrold (horn), to old familiars like James Poyser (the Roots), Stokley Williams (Mint Condition) and Shafiq Husayn (Sa-Ra), to fresh guests like Anderson .Paak, Bilal, SiR, Anna Wise, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Elzhi and Phonte Coleman.

With all their otherworldly ability, the Drumhedz are who they are because of connection. At the end of the day, they’re the cats who came together. And because they did, you might be a Drumhed too.

Chris Dave and the Drumhedz will play Bowery Ballroom on January 12th as part of Winter Jazz Fest. More 2019 performances to be announced.