Chris Lovejoy, born in New York City and raised in Texas, started playing the drums in junior high school. Once in high school, he began studying intensively on tympani, snare drum, mallets, and drum set.
While attending Florida State University on scholarship, Lovejoy continued his orchestral percussive studies. As a freshman, he performed with the percussion ensemble, opera orchestra, and wind ensemble; but ultimately needed a way to express himself more creatively. He then began studying congas and joined the university salsa band. At that point, he decided to transfer to the University Of North Texas.
Upon graduating, Lovejoy relocated to New York City where he studied with percussion masters Mino Cinelu and Bashiri Johnson. Not long after moving, he landed a gig touring and recording with Gee St./Island Records artists, New Kingdom. Soon after, he worked on projects with the band Family Of God, and with producers Teo Macero (known for his work with Miles Davis) and Scott Harding (known for his work with Medeski Martin and Wood, and Prince Paul).
Chris was a member of Charlie Hunter's band for two years and can be heard on Hunter's Blue Note Records release, Songs From The Analog Playground, featuring Mos Def and Norah Jones. More recently Lovejoy collaborated with drummer Stephen Chopek to record the CD entitled Brain Trust.
Although he is now based out of Los Angeles, Lovejoy is often touring with various artists when his schedule permits as he is also in high demand as both a studio and live performance musician throughout the LA area. Amongst others, Chris performs and records with AM (a KCRW favorite), Bonnie McKee, David Ryan Harris, Tom Freund, Clarence Bucaro, Paper Sun, Wally Ingram, Rhythm Roots Allstars, Anya Marina, Garrison Starr, Tristan Prettyman, Chris Pierce and yes, American Idol's William Hung. He has also appeared on "The Tonight Show", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", "The Jimmy Kimmel Show" and MTV's "Advance Warning." He has recently been on the road with Tristan Prettyman and Chris Pierce.
