Hamid Drake
Biography
Hamid Drake (born August 3, 1955) is an American jazz drummer and percussionist. By the close of the 1990s, Hamid Drake was widely regarded as one of the best percussionists in jazz and improvised music. Incorporating Afro-Cuban, Indian, and African percussion instruments and influence, in addition to using the standard trap set, Drake has collaborated extensively with top free jazz improvisers. Drake also has performed world music; by the late 1970s, he was a member of Foday Musa Suso's Mandingo Griot Society and has played reggae throughout his career. Drake has worked with trumpeter Don Cherry, pianist Herbie Hancock, saxophonists Pharoah Sanders, Fred Anderson, Archie Shepp and David Murray, and bassists Reggie Workman and William Parker (in many lineups). Drake studied drums extensively, including eastern and Caribbean styles. He frequently plays without sticks, using his hands to develop subtle commanding undertones. His tabla playing is notable for his subtlety and flair. Drake's questing nature and his interest in Caribbean percussion led to a deep involvement with reggae.
Bio from Wikipedia
Discography
Records they worked on — most-collected first.
Credited work
529 releases · 110 albums · active 1978–2025
- Performance · 1,026
- Other credits · 173
- Production · 18
- Engineering · 2
- Mastering · 1
Studios: Orange Music (5) · Evergreen Studio · Eldorado Recording Studios · Airwave Recording Studios
Frequent collaborators
- Fred Anderson
- William Parker
- Various
- Peter Brötzmann
- Herbie Hancock
- William Parker Quartet
- Die Like A Dog Quartet
- Pharoah Sanders