Ivan

I'm a warm personable creature. I love people of all varieties and I get along with most. Life is truly what you make it. If you put out positive you recieve positive..Ivan Hampden was born and raised in New York City and grew up in Harlem's musically diverse neighborhoods listening to the rhythms of R&B, Salsa, Caribbean, Jazz, Blues, Pop and so much more. He began playing drums at the age of eight with the local Catholic school marching band. By age 13, he was playing in local clubs in and around New York City with Blues musicians who helped instill in him his sense of timing and groove. He brings the musical diversity of his early youth to his work with percussion and keyboards as well. Ivan started his formal training in 1973 studying at the Jazz Mobile with Charlie Percep and at Mannes College of Music with Norman Grossman. He went on to attend Bronx Community College in 1977 where he received private lessons at the Metropolitan Opera with Richard Horowitz and then on to Rutgers University in 1980. During his first semester, a friend told him of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. He joined that orchestra, where he continues to enjoy tenure. While at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ivan was also a Drum and Percussion Instructor at the Harlem School of the Arts and at Seaton Hall University in the Black Music Department. His talent has also been enjoyed in the New York theatre community with the likes of The Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, The Richard Allen Center for Cultural arts (RACCA), as well as on Broadway.Ivan A. Hampden Jr. (continued)Not only an accomplished drummer and percussionist, Ivan is also a producer and songwriter who collaborates with such artists as Luther Vandross, Nick Ashford, Chaka Khan, and many others. He is a proficient studio musician as well as a charismatic tour musician with a worldwide travel itinerary. Along with being Luther Vandross' drummer and co-writing partner for the last 17 years, he currently records and tours with other notable artists such as Stephanie Mills, Ashford & Simpson, Roberta Flack, Phil Perry, Vanessa Williams and Jennifer Lopez. Ivan has also performed behind such Artist as Bonnie Raitt, Al Jareau, Dione Warwick, Maceo Parker, El Debarge, Kenny Latimore, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Michael MacDonald, India Arie & Joe; the list goes on and on.His recording resume includes such artists as Diana Ross, Akiko Yano, Ann Nesby, Doc Powell, Jocelyn Brown, Mavis Staples, The Temptations, Nestor Torres, Marcus Miller, Cathy Dennis, Howard Hewett, Luther Vandross, Beyonce Knowles, Ashford & Simpson, Sy Coleman, Tramaine Hawkins & Roberta Flack just to name a few.In 2001, Ivan relocated to the south, where he continues to write, produce and tour around the world from. In His latest venture, he has started a school of percussion in the Raleigh North Carolina area, as well as working with local talent and the local collages in Raleigh area.In the fall of 2007, Ivan has signed on as an adjunct professor, teaching recording production 1&2 and post production at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina.P2