VIC FIRTH ARTIST
SWISS CHRIS

Arriving in New York City via Boston 10 years ago, Switzerland native "Swiss Chris" set many goals for himself as a drummer/ musical director/ real time producer/ educator.  He is currently touring and recording as the musical director/drummer for the (8-time Grammy nominee) 3-time Grammy winner and multi-platinum artist JOHN LEGEND.

Swiss Chris has a Bachelor's Degree in Performance from the Berklee School of Music, Boston, Massachusetts.  He studied at the Drummer's Collective in New York and Dante Agostini Switzerland (certificate in Contemporary Music).  He received multiple awards and honors as a marching band field drummer and as a big band and contemporary jazz drummer from his homeland Switzerland.

Swiss studied with diverse teachers like Bob Moses, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Kim Plainfield, Casey Scheuerell, Joe Morello, Jim Chapin and last but not least, he is still taking lessons with the Drumdoctor Dom Famularo.

Bio continued below...

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:

5A Tear drop tip for rich cymbal sounds. Light and fast for jazz, orchestral and pit work. L=16", Dia.=.565"

Chris' bio, continued...

Coming to New York in 1996, he started working with a local Funkband lead by the Jewish James Brown, “Milo Z.  He also started working with Hip Hop Old School Legends like Chubb Rock, Charlie Brown from the Leaders of the New School, Slick Rick, Grandmaster Caz, and the Rock Steady Crew.

He was on BET in a featured performance as the musical director/drummer for the Ed Gordon Show with the Last Poets, Jessica Care Moore and Mums from the Hit HBO show OZ.  Swiss performed and/or recorded with conscious MC’s like Mos Def and Dead Prez.

He was the musical director and house drummer for the legendary Lyricist Lounge.   He worked for multiple fundraiser and charity events with the political activist group Earthdriver.  He played at Madison Square Garden for a Mumia Abu Jamal Benefit (with a All-star cast).  Swiss Chris was a musical director /drummer / programmer for Mexicano 777 (featuring KRS One and Mad Lion) and Bazaar Royal (MTV appearance).  He toured Eastern and Western Europe with the legendary James ‘Blood’ Ulmer (Blues/Jazz).  He performed at the Apollo Theater with Billy Cox (Jimmy Hendrix, Band of Gypsies) and Ladell McLinn, Jessica Care Moore and Imani Uzuri.

With the release of John Legend’s “Get Lifted” album, Swiss was just on 3 US tours, 3 European tours, 2 Australian tours and tours in New Zealand and Japan.  His multiple TV appearances include: Jay Leno, The View, Ellen, Custom Concert Oxygen Network, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan O’Brian, Oprah, MTV and Grammy Appearances in the US, Europe and MTV Africa, and the Vibe Festival with Common and Kayne.

In 2006-2007 for the “Once Again” album, Swiss contributed his talents for John on 2 US tours, 2 European tours, and 1 Asian tour, so far.  Television appearances included: VMAs, The Soul Train Music Awards, The Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony at Oslo, Jamaican and Trinidad Festivals, DTV Royal Albert Hall Show, Itunes Yahoo and Verizon Promotional Tours, Tyra Banks, Ellen, The View, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, Conan O’Brian, Oprah, Good Morning America, MTV Music Awards Japan, VH1 Superbowl Pepsi Smash and The CBS Early Show.