This is part 2 of Gerry Brown's conversation with the drummer and educator, Ivan Hampden Jr (Luther Vandross, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Eartha Kitt, Kurtis Blow, Ashford & Simpson, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Lopez, Bonnie Raitt, India Arie, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Little Richard, Gladys Knight, and Vanessa Williams). You know why? Because groove don’t lie!

The story of Gerry’s guest this episode, drummer Ivan Hampden Jr, is one of learning and teaching. As Ivan and Gerry discuss, Ivan credits great teachers (formal and informal) for the skills that earned him gigs with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Eartha Kitt, Kurtis Blow, Ashford & Simpson, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Lopez, Bonnie Raitt, India Arie, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Little Richard, Gladys Knight, Vanessa Williams, and, of course, Luther Vandross, whom he collaborated with for 17 years. Now Ivan is committed to passing on what he learned through his school, Hamptown Music Institute, and personal interactions with up-and-coming musicians. The elder groove is in full-effect!

Gerry’s guest this episode is the multifaceted drummer Craig Holiday Haynes. Craig has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in disco, R&B, blues, jazz, rock, and gospel, including Sun Ra, Danny Glover, Lionel Hampton, Tony Bennett, The Allman Brothers Band, Gladys Knight, and Gary Toms Empire. Craig’s had an amazing career, but, when you are named after Billie Holiday and raised by the great Roy Haynes, amazing is expected!