Dennis Chambers

Dennis Milton Chambers (born May 9, 1959) is an American drummer. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2001.

Chambers was born on May 9, 1959. He 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." Chambers played on many Sugar Hill releases [?]— sounds like Keith LeBlanc [not Chambers], who was the Original Sugar Hill Rhythm Section drummer ["White Lines," "The Message," "8th Wonder," and so on], with Skip McDonald (guitar) and Doug Wimbish (bass)]. Contrary to popular belief he did not play on "Rapper's Delight" which was revealed in a recent interview on Drumeo.com on 6/8/2017.

In an interview by Bonedo in 2011, 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.

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.

He has recorded and performed with Tommy Coster, John Scofield, George Duke, Victor Wooten, Brecker Brothers, Santana, Parliament/Funkadelic, John McLaughlin, Niacin, Mike Stern, CAB, Greg Howe, and many others.

He has toured extensively with Carlos Santana and makes appearances with his band Niacin.

In December 2004, Chambers was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music during the inauguration of current president, Roger H. Brown. In 2013 Chambers recorded the album Groove and More, produced by Lino Nicolosi and Pino Nicolosi, for the Italian company Nicolosi Productions, published by Soul Trade.

He plays and endorses Pearl drums, pedals, hardware & racks, Zildjian cymbals, Zildjian drumsticks & general accessories, LP percussion, Ddrum electronics and Evans Drumheads.