Dennis Chambers

Dennis Chambers (born May 9, 1959) is an American drummer who has recorded and performed with John Scofield, George Duke,Brecker Brothers, Santana, Parliament/Funkadelic, John McLaughlin, Niacin, Mike Stern, CAB, Greg Howe, and many others. Despite a lack of formal training, Chambers has become well known among drummers for his technique and speed.[citation needed]Chambers is particularly regarded for his ability to play "in the pocket" but can also stretch very far out of the pocket which is also a hallmark of his technique.[citation needed] Chambers exhibits a powerful style that is technically proficient, yet highly musical and groove-oriented.[citation needed] He can play in a wide variety of musical genres, but is perhaps most notable for his jazz-fusion, funk, and Latin music playing. He is mostly known for his fast hands and triplets on the bass drum. He has helped many young drummers, the most prominent being Tony Royster, Jr.

In 2007, just before Led Zeppelin were scheduled to play at the O2 Arena in London, John Bonham's son Jason was asked in an interview that if he himself were to pass up the opportunity, which drummer would he recommend to fill the coveted drum throne. His reply was 'If I were to choose, I would probably want a jazz drummer with a strong swing feel. You know what - Dennis Chambers. I think he would "get it", whereas other rock drummers wouldn't.'

In an interview by Bonedo in 2011 Dennis Chambers was asked who some of his influences and favorite drummers were and he mentioned Clyde Stubblefield, Al Jackson Jr.,Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gary Husband, Jack Dejohnette, Billy Cobham, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, and Tony Williams.

He performed on the critically acclaimed Maceo Parker live album "Roots and Grooves" album with long time friend Rodney "Skeet" Curtis (bass) and the WDR Big Band. He has toured extensively with Carlos Santana and makes appearances with his band Niacin.

He plays and endorses Pearl drums, pedals, hardware & racks, Zildjian cymbals, Zildjian drumsticks & general accessories and Evans drumheads.

Chambers began drumming at the age of four years, and was gigging in Baltimore-area nightclubs by the age of six. He was recruited in 1981 by the Sugar Hill Label to be their "house drummer." Dennis plays on many Sugar Hill releases . In 1978 (at 18 years old) he joined Parliament/Funkadelic, and stayed with them until 1985. In 1986 he joined the John Scofield band. Since then he has played with most of the major figures in jazz fusion music.

On August 26, 2011 Chambers appeared as a featured drummer on the Late Show with David Letterman's Drum Solo Week II, alongside other such notable players as Tony Royster, Jr., Gavin Harrison, Neil Peart and Stewart Copeland.

He plays and endorses Pearl drums, pedals, hardware & racks, Zildjian cymbals, Zildjian drumsticks & general accessories and Evans drumheads.

Oz Noy: Triple Play

Read "Triple Play" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
December 4, 2023

In the parlance of baseball, the triple play is one of the rarest occurrences in the game, a fielding opportunity relying as much on practice as experience. So it is altogether fitting that guitarist Oz Noy, drummer Dennis Chambers and bassist Jimmy Haslip title their live outing after this most unusual gambit; the trio's combined history and preternatural chemistry make for a singular outing, one in which camaraderie takes precedence over technique (although there is plenty of the latter).

Album Review

Bill Ortiz: Points of View

Read "Points of View" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
July 29, 2023

Long associated with Carlos Santana, with whom he had a 16-year stint, trumpeter Bill Ortiz steps into the spotlight here with an auspicious and highly entertaining session. Ten selections showcase Ortiz who is supported by some of the Bay area's best. The order of the day is energy, excitement, and an overall superb show. “Sunburst," an Eddie Henderson tune, launches things with a pulsing piano, driving bass, textured rhythms and Ortiz wailing, first using a Harmon mute ...

Liner Notes

Steve Khan: Patchwork

by Rafael Vega Curry
January 23, 2023

Few artists have been as successful as Steve Khan in achieving a genuine blend of jazz and Latin sensibilities, rhythms and sonorities. In fact, it can be suggested that no one else has done what he has accomplished for the jazz guitar, offering both the extensions of what Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and Grant Green did in their day, plus the real sabor latino. Khan, of course, is one of the preeminent guitarists of the last few decades, ...

SoCal Jazz

Dennis Chambers: Heartbeats and Backbeats

by Jim Worsley
March 2, 2022

We all know that Dennis Chambers is among the world's greatest drummers. In a spontaneous conversation, the gentleman proved to be as kind and generous as he is with his backbeats and grooves. He spoke candidly about the life threatening battles he has faced. Spanning from intense to humorous, Chambers opened up on his medical ordeals, the road back to health, and getting back behind his kit. And oh yes, we talked about music. Led Zeppelin might seem ...

Album Review

Oz Noy: Snapdragon

Read "Snapdragon" reviewed by Mike Jacobs

by Mike Jacobs
November 17, 2020

It's an old sentiment but it still holds that great instrumental chops, enthralling as they may be, are fairly meaningless on their own. And quite frankly, they are pretty ubiquitous these days with the internet exposure machine going full tilt. Given all that, it's quite easy for the listener to become inured with technical prowess-- especially wizardry of the fretboard. So to say Oz Noy is a fantastic guitarist just isn't enough anymore. It's fortunate then that what ...

Album Review

Teymur Phell: Master Volume

Read "Master Volume" reviewed by Geno Thackara

by Geno Thackara
March 8, 2020

This crackling debut from Teymur Phell is a hearty, eclectic and loud funk-fusion party. He sets the tone right away with “Zero to Sixty"--a title that's actually a bit misleading since it kicks off already at sixty mph—and shows that he knows his way around a bass, and also has plenty of use for one with six strings, thank you very much. This jaunt as leader follows years of live and session work; he has clearly taken a lot away ...

Album Review

Steve Khan: Patchwork

Read "Patchwork" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
September 16, 2019

Amongst the many myths out there about music-making—especially in jazz, where the improvisation quotient is often so high—is that composing may, indeed, be work, but doesn't require the kind of relentless attention to detail that far more truthfully defines how many artists write and arrange their music. These days, one need only look to music by artists including Pat Metheny, Antonio Sanchez and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah to find music conceived with intimate and painstaking detail while, at the same ...

Recording

Jazz-Fusion All-Star Trio Scott Henderson Jeff Berlin Dennis Chambers to Release New CD "HBC"

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James
September 18, 2012

Much to the excitement of musicians and jazz aficiandos worldwide, the highly anticipated CD release by jazz-fusion legends Scott Henderson, Jeff Berlin and Dennis Chambers, will be released on Tone Center Records (a division of Shrapnel Records) on October 16, 2012. Considered one of the most phenomenal trios in the history of jazz- fusion, HBC's debut CD delivers a full dose of virtuosic performances guaranteed to thrill and inspire all who listen. “The trio is all about interplay,” explains guitarist ...
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Recording

Dean Brown with Dennis Chambers and Will Lee Release "DBIII: Live in Tokyo"

Source: Michael Ricci
November 18, 2009

For his third outing as a leader, guitarist Dean Brown called on two longtime friends to complete a potent power trio. And in bassist Will Lee and drummer Dennnis Chambers, he wound up with the ultimate rhythm section. Together this dream team lays down some seriously funky grooves while interacting in the moment with jazzy abandon on DBIII: Live in Tokyo. Recorded in the heart of the Japanese metropolis at The Cotton Club, this vibrant live recording captures the earth-shaking ...
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Recording

Bassoonist Paul Hanson Releases New Album Featuring Dennis Chambers

Source: All About Jazz
March 18, 2008

2008 Release from amazing bassoonist Paul Hanson. What the unbelievable Hanson does on bassoon -- an exceedingly difficult instrument to play and one almost exclusively associated with classical music -- is akin to what other innovators like guitarists Charlie Hunter and Stanley Jordan, banjoist Bela Fleck and bassist Jaco Pastorius have done with their respective instruments. Like those musical revolutionaries, Hanson has created a vibrant new, expansive vocabulary through a combination of virtuosity, vision and soul, as he demonstrates so ...
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Event

Berklee College of Music Inaugurates its 3rd President, Roger H. Brown, Chaka Khan and Dennis Chambers accept Honorary Doctorates of Music, James Taylor lauds college

Source: All About Jazz
December 6, 2004

Boston, MA- On Friday, December 3, Berklee College of Music inaugurated its third president, Roger H. Brown, who revealed an ambitious set of goals for the Berklee of 2015. Before a packed Hynes Convention Center auditorium full of higher education, business, and music industry leaders, as well as the Berklee community, Brown vowed to build more state-of-the-art facilities, create access to music education for underprivileged students, and produce future leaders in the global music community to help re-imagine and rebuild ...
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Performance / Tour

Fusion Allstars: Dennis Chambers and Victor Wooten Join Mike Stern at the Bottom Line

Source: All About Jazz
May 5, 2003

Thursday-Saturday, May 29-31

The Bottom Line 15 W. Fourth Street http://www.bottomlinecabaret.com 212-228-6300

Grammy-nominated guitarist Mike Stern, a noted solo artist, guitar hero, and veteran of bands such as Miles Davis, Steps Ahead, and The Brecker Brothers, returns to The Bottom Line with two of his favorite collaborators: Drummer Dennis Chambers (now with Santana) and bassist Victor Wooten (of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones fame). Rounding out the band is Stern's regular saxophonist, Bob Franceschini. ...
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107

Performance / Tour

Fusion/Jam Allstars: Dennis Chambers And Victor Wooten Join Mike Stern At Blues Alley, Friday-Sunday, May 23-25

Source: All About Jazz

Grammy-nominated guitarist Mike Stern, a noted solo artist, guitar hero, and veteran of bands such as Miles Davis, Steps Ahead, and The Brecker Brothers, returns to Blues Alley with two of his favorite collaborators: Drummer Dennis Chambers (now spending most of his time with Santana) and bassist Victor Wooten (of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones fame). Rounding out the band is Stern's regular saxophonist, Bob Franceschini.

One cannot underestimate the enthusiastic following for these musicians: For example, last year they ...
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107

Recording