Described lovingly by some as a “drumming ninja,” Chris Coleman has drummed for legends and participated in Drummers 4 Jesus. He has traveled the world and now calls LA home, but he still credits his earliest influences and shares his skills with others through his own drumming clinics and classes.
The chris coleman family was deeply into drumming. He has been playing drums since age 2, sitting on his uncle’s knee in church. He traveled with his father and uncles who performed together in a gospel ensemble. Chris continued his musical education and experimentation through elementary school, preferring brass instruments over drums.
Once the school music teacher drafted him to play drums, he played in the school band and his church. It is his church drumming that has earned Coleman the title of “Gospel Drummer,” to which he credits his versatility and ability to play several different genres of music including rock, pop, R&B, and, of course, church-oriented music. In Junior high school he earned numerous awards in band competitions, including 1st place for instrumental soloist for three years running.
He also took top honors in his hometown “Music Appreciation Awards” at the age of 14, and began traveling throughout the country with several gospel groups including (Marvin Winans, Edwin Hawkins, & Vanessa Bell Armstrong)-as well as performing with five jazz/variety/show bands.
In 1999, Chris graduated with honors from the Drummer’s Collective. He was offered a scholarship to Berklee School of Music, was accepted into the Manhattan School of Music, and received a recommendation from Ed Soph to attend North Texas State. He opted instead to return to his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan to start full-time ministry and ATW Global. He moved briefly to Cleveland to join the instructional staff at Christian Music Academy.
On December 8, 2001, Chris was honored to win 1st place in the National Drum Competition sponsored by Guitar Center, which hosted 30,000+ drummers. He then came to Atlanta to study Bass guitar at AIM, where he was pleased to accept a position teaching drums. In addition to his teaching, Chris keeps a busy schedule touring. He has toured with Pastor Creflo A. Dollar Ministries throughout the country since June 2002 and has traveled to over 40 cities in 3 countries with praise and worship band “Israel and New Breed” since September 2003.
Chris has participated in several major gospel recordings, including Bishop Eddie Long, William Murphy Ministries, and others. He plans to record with his band, “The Paradigm” very shortly. Things have been on the up & up as of June 2006. Chris is now playing for R&B artist Rachelle Ferrell, as well as touring, promoting, & performing with his band.
His drumming skills landed him a teaching position at AIM, the job as Musical Director for New Kids on the Block as well as his current gig as the drummer for Prince. Coleman’s inspirations and influences are plenty, as he spent his summers in musically-entrenched Memphis, soaking up the talent and local musicians, including Steve Smith, Tony Williams, and Dave Weckl. He has toured with gospel greats including Marvin Winans, Edwin Hawkins, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong, giving him a unique frame of reference within his life and his devotion to his spirituality.
Coleman credits the Meinl Byzance Dark Ride cymbal as his favorite, and along with Derek Roddy, will bring the sound and quality of these instruments to two drum clinics, one on May 10 in Memphis, TN, and the other on May 11 in Kansas City, MO.
Chris also participated in the 2005 & 2006 “Drummers 4 Jesus” events. He is recognized in the Modern Drummer Magazine for the Sept 05′ & June’06’ issues.
The year 2007 was ever-exploding for Chris. He is on tour full-time with “Chaka Kahn”, as well as Rachelle Ferrell. In 2010 Chris appeared with big success at the Modern Drummer Festival and PASIC.
From 2007 to current, is ever exploding for Chris. He is now affiliated with Chaka Kahn, Rachelle Ferrell, EnVouge, PussyCat Dolls, Baby Face, Christina Aguilera, Patti Labelle, Randy Brecker, New Kids on the Block, NEO, Wayne Brady, Sean Kingston, All 4 One, Ron Brown, Kevin Toney, Oskar Cartaya & Enclave, Freddy Rodriguez, Michael Gungor, Bootsy Collins, Prince, & a host of others. As of Jan of ‘07’, Sonor Drums, Meinl Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, & Vic Firth sticks have accepted Chris into their organizations. Hudson Music has recently signed “Precision & Power” to their roster of fine products.
In terms of the versatility and absolute joy of being a music fan and genius, Chris Coleman continues to inspire and be inspired, by the various artists he works with. As a down-to-earth musician who enjoys the challenges and accolades of the music industry, Coleman’s career will, without doubt, continue to grow and evolve, bringing the talent, love, and dedication of an extreme drummer into the lives of all he touches.