Yussef Dayes

Producer, composer and drummer Yussef Dayes' beats are undeniably recognizable. Dayes has been instrumental in defining the sound of London's explosive jazz scene, and his talents have led to collaborations with everyone from Kamasi Washington to Virgil Abloh. Yussef Dayes was born in South East London to a very musical family. His father was a bassist in NYC in the '70s, and music was a central part of his upbringing; Dayes grew up listening to his father's vinyl jazz collection and reggae, as well as the country music and '60s pop that his mother played around the house. His father bought Dayes a drum kit, and at the age of 10, he began to study under Miles Davis' drummer Billy Cobham. Initially best known as part of the band United Vibrations, Dayes started immersing himself in the London jazz scene in his teenage years. Post-United Vibrations, Dayes partnered with keyboardist Kamaal Williams to form the duo Yussef Kamaal, and released the acclaimed album Black Focus in 2016. In 2019, Dayes released a two-track solo EP, Duality, highlighting the two sides of his musical personality. He teamed up with Tom Misch for the 2020 album What Kinda Music, and in 2022, he released The Yussef Dayes Experience Live at Joshua Tree. In 2023 he released the album "Black Classical Music". Yussef Dayes' live performance transcends the boundaries of traditional jazz, making for an electrifying experience.