The Sound of New York: Damion Reid

Damion Reid hailing from West Covina, a city east of Los Angeles, California. He is the son of a well-respected bassist and astute operatic singer and teacher. By the age of three, Damion was already playing in church. It was around the age of twelve that Damion began being mentored by the world-renowned drummer Billy Higgins. During these formative years billy’s spirit for life and music was deeply seeded in Damion’s fertile mind. Seeing Damion’s ability to grasp the music, both analytically and conceptually, it wasn’t long before billy invited him to be part of his drum collective. As Damion continued to cultivate his love for music through his high school years, he managed school life with professional obligations. Damion graduated high school and made the move to Boston, Massachusetts New England Conservatory of Music where he received the prestigious Alan Dawson scholarship. He then was accepted into the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at the University of Southern California. Soon finding himself trekking to New York City to attend the new school. He then began performing and touring alongside: Greg Osby, Terence Blanchard, Robert Glasper, Cassandra Wilson, Bruce Hornsby, Jacky Terrasson, Ravi Coltrane, Reggie Workman, Marcus Belgrave, Lauryn Hill, Angie Stone, Robert Hurst, Angelique Kidjo, M’shell Ndegeocello, Bilal, Jason Moran, Mark Shim, Dianne Reeves, Mark Turner, Bunky Green and many others. Adrian Kirchler, founder of AK Drums in Italy, has created “the Damion Reid signature snare”, inspired by the Damion Reid’s highly individual playing style and unmistakeable sound.