Quick Facts
Biography
Paul Nelson Humphrey (born October 12, 1935, Detroit, Michigan, United States) is an American jazz and funk/R&B drummer.
He worked as a session drummer in the 1960s for jazz artists such as Wes Montgomery, Les McCann, Kai Winding, Jimmy Smith, Charles Mingus, Lee Konitz, Blue Mitchell and Gene Ammons.
As a bandleader, he recorded under the name Paul Humphrey and the Cool Aid Chemists, with keyboardist Clarence MacDonald, guitarist David T. Walker, and bassist Bill Upchurch. In 1971, this ensemble had two hits, "Cool Aid" (US #29, US R&B Singles #14) and "Funky L.A." (US R&B Singles #45). He also recorded an album as head of the Paul Humphrey Sextet in 1981.
Humphrey was one of the drummers on Marvin Gaye's album Let's Get It On.
He also recorded with Steely Dan, Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia, Jimmy Smith, The Four Tops, Al Kooper, Jackie DeShannon, Natalie Cole, Albert King, Quincy Jones, Dusty Springfield, Jean-Luc Ponty, Michael Franks, Maria Muldaur, Marc Bolan and others.
Humphrey also was the featured drummer for both the Lawrence Welk orchestra and television show from 1976 to 1982. He and his wife Joan are the parents of two children, Pier and Damien, who appeared with their father on the Welk show's annual Christmas episode.