Yussef Dayes

YUSSEF DAYES is a tour-de-force behind the drums. Widely recognised as one of the most electrifying live performers of his generation, watching the South London-raised producer, composer and drummer perform is an exhilarating combo of technical prowess, intensity and emotion. Yussef grew up with three brothers in a home where musical experimentation was fully embraced. He was drumming by the age of four, tutored by Miles Davis’ drummer, Billy Cobham, aged ten, and quickly developed an ear for a wide range of musical styles: from the influence of East/West African rhythms and its journey through the Caribbean and South America, to the soundsystem-heavy impact of grime and jungle. While still only in his pre-teens, he joined his two brothers - Ahmad and Kareem - and saxophonist, Wayne Francis (aka Ahnanse) in Afrocentric quartet, United Vibrations. Dayes’ meteoric rise came via the short lived duo Yussef Kamaal, with keyboardist Kamaal Williams. Black Focus (2016, Brownswood Recordings) — the pair’s sole and critically acclaimed album — instantly became the blueprint for a generation of music lovers. In 2018, Yussef launched his own imprint Cashmere Thoughts Recordings and released a string of solo releases. In 2020, Yussef announced What Kinda Music, a collaboration with Tom Misch via Blue Note Records. The latter turned heads at an all-new mainstream level, reaching Top 5 in the UK Album Charts.