Event Description

Their music blends funk, soul, gospel, hip-hop, and jazz into a seamless groove. Chris’s compositions, like his drumming, are precise and syncopated, allowing multiple ideas to merge naturally. The Drumhedz roster is vast, from core members like Pino Palladino (bass), Isaiah Sharkey (guitar), Cleo “Pookie” Sample (keys), Sir Darryl Farris (vocals), and Keyon Harrold (horn), to collaborators such as James Poyser, Stokley Williams, Shafiq Husayn, Anderson .Paak, Bilal, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Phonte Coleman.

Their self-titled debut LP brings together a family of musicians whose credits span the pillars of modern music, creating a space where they can push boundaries in ways no one else could.

Chris’s journey began at age three, trying to drum in his brothers’ funk group. When denied, he found percussion at church. By middle school, he was drumming for Houston choirs and earning a place at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. An exchange program exposed him to non-4/4 rhythms from Japan and India, broadening his perspective. A full scholarship to Howard University followed, though he left after a semester to tour with Mint Condition, opening for Janet Jackson and igniting a career that would include work with Lionel Richie, Maxwell, and countless others.

From 2009 to 2012, Chris contributed to three Grammy-winning albums across genres. These collaborations became the foundation of the Drumhedz. Initially performing as Chris Dave and Friends, the group tested its chemistry on stage before releasing the 2013 Chris Dave and the Drumhedz Mixtape, a 23-track free collection blending old recordings and new grooves.

By late 2015, Chris gathered the Drumhedz to record their debut LP. Songs mix otherworldly textures with human emotion—flirtation, struggle, and connection—proving that the Drumhedz’ extraordinary skill is matched by their ability to bring people together. Now, having created their world, they invite you to step in.