50. Chris Dave
Dave was born in Houston, Texas in 1973. He attended Howard University and performed professionally as a gospel drummer with the Winans. He also dabbled in jazz too, due to Kenny Garrett’s influence. He also performed on Adele’s album, 21, which won a Grammy. Dave came up idolizing jazz greats like Tony Williams — and, later, incorporated those inspirations into his work alongside improv aces such as Robert Glasper. Dave’s special power is creating ear-bending beats, often produced on a tricked-out kit with as many as five snare drums. They all fantastically blend in with an ensemble texture.
50. Chris Dave
49. Tomas Haake
A Swedish drummer, he is known for being the drummer of extreme metal band of Meshuggah. He is best-known for his polymeters and technical ability, and was even named the 93rd Greatest Drummer of All Time by Rolling Stone. Haake creates an exceptional off-kilter feel y playing a standard 4/4 beat with his right hand, tumbling polyrhythms alongside everything else. The result is often beats that sound like the mechanized revving of a Lamborghini! “The guys all write on computers, and I emulate what they have written,” Haake revealed. “This sometimes makes for awkward drumming, but at the same time it makes for a great challenge and an obstacle to overcome. It really keeps me on my toes.”
Tomas Haake