Like Bruce Hornsby, drummer Chad Wright went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He has played with The Jacksons, Tina Marie, Rick James, The High School Musical Tour and many others.
Band member: 2018 –
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Chad Wright bio
Early life and beginnings
Chad Wright was born on February 17, 1971, in Atlanta. He developed a love for drums at an early age, initially banging on pots and pans in his parents’ kitchen. By the age of 4, he had his first drum set, influenced by his father’s passion for jazz and music collection. Chad began taking formal lessons at age 7, and by 11, he was already performing with his twin brother, Chay, at talent shows, nightclubs, and church events.
Education and early career
In 1989, Chad pursued music performance at Valdosta State University, where he played in various bands and ensembles. He then transferred to Berklee College of Music in 1991, where he studied under renowned instructors like Ed Kaspic and Jon Hazilla. At Berklee, Chad performed with ensembles like the Jazz/Rock Ensemble and Reverence Gospel Ensemble and worked with artists such as Oleta Adams and Carl Griffin.
First major gigs
In his final year at Berklee, Chad went on tour with disco legends Tavares and New England rockers Mark Morris & Catunes, which further shaped his versatile drumming style. After six years with these acts, Chad moved to Los Angeles in 2000 to take his career to the next level.
Career breakthrough in Los Angeles
Upon moving to L.A., Chad became a prominent figure in the local blues scene. His career quickly gained traction with opportunities to work with Ali Ollie Woodson (former lead singer of The Temptations) and bassist Melvin Lee Davis. In 2001, Chad began touring with Chaka Khan, eventually subbing for John J.R. Robinson as drummer for Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. He continued to work with guitar legend Lee Ritenour on his 2002 tour alongside Gerald Albright.
Versatility and collaborations
Chad’s career flourished as he collaborated with a variety of artists across different genres, including Monica, Tyrese, Teena Marie, and Rick James. His versatility as a drummer, able to handle everything from R&B to jazz to rock, made him a sought-after performer in the music industry.
High-profile tours and recent work
In 2006, Chad Wright took on multiple roles, performing with R&B legend Teena Marie, jazz pianist Keiko Matsui, and R&B artist Eric Benet. He also worked with Motown legend Richard Street and saxophonist Michael Lington. In 2007, Chad became the drummer for Disney’s High School Musical tour, which was one of the biggest multimedia franchises of that time, with massive CD, DVD, and TV success. This role allowed him to showcase his showmanship and wide range of drumming skills across a variety of genres. He continues to tour as a Noisemaker with Bruce Hornsby.
External links
Website: Chad Wright Yamaha Drums page