Section: Information


Swiss Chris
MD, Drums

Swiss Chris is currently the Music Director and Drummer for five time Grammy winner, John Legend, one of the most talented singer/songwriters in the world today. During 2006-2007 for John’s “Once Again” album, Swiss contributed his talents in the studio as well as play on 2 US tours, 2 European tours, and 1 Asian tour. With the release of John Legend’s “Get Lifted” album, Swiss played on 3 US tours, 3 European tours, 2 Australian tours and tours in New Zealand and Japan. Coming to New York in 1996, Swiss started working with a local Funkband lead by the Jewish James Brown, “Milo Z. He also started working with Hip Hop Old School Legends like Chubb Rock, Charlie Brown from the Leaders of the New School, Slick Rick, Grandmaster Caz, and the Rock Steady Crew. Coming to New York in 1996, Swiss started working with a local Funkband lead by the Jewish James Brown, “Milo Z. He also started working with Hip Hop Old School Legends like Chubb Rock, Charlie Brown from the Leaders of the New School, Slick Rick, Grandmaster Caz, and the Rock Steady Crew. While in the States, Swiss Chris earned his Bachelor's Degree in Performance from the Berklee School of Music, Boston, Massachusetts. He further studied at the Drummer's Collective in New York after gaining his paper at Dante Agostini in Switzerland (certificate in Contemporary Music). He received multiple awards and honors as a marching band field drummer and as a big band and contemporary jazz drummer from his homeland Switzerland as well as a humanitarian award there. Swiss has studied with diverse teachers like Bob Moses, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Kim Plainfield, Casey Scheuerell, Joe Morello, Jim Chapin and last but not least, the Drumdoctor Dom Famularo. Swiss has been featured on BET in a featured performance as the musical director/drummer for the Ed Gordon Show with the Last Poets, Jessica Care Moore and Mums from the Hit HBO show OZ. Swiss performed and/or recorded with conscious MC’s like Mos Def and Dead Prez. Swiss was the musical director and house drummer for the legendary Lyricist Lounge. He worked for multiple fundraiser and charity events with the political activist group Earthdriver. He’s played at Madison Square Garden for a Mumia Abu Jamal Benefit (with a All-star cast). Swiss Chris was also the musical director /drummer / programmer for Mexicano 777 (featuring KRS One and Mad Lion) and Bazaar Royal (MTV appearance). He toured Eastern and Western Europe with the legendary James ‘Blood’ Ulmer (Blues/Jazz). He performed at the Apollo Theater with Billy Cox (Jimmy Hendrix, Band of Gypsies) and Ladell McLinn, Jessica Care Moore and Imani Uzuri. Swiss Chris is the founder and head of the S.W.I.S.S. Organization, Saving With Instruments, Samples and Sounds. One of the organizations programs is to collect used instruments to help in the spread of communication through music for betterment of the world. Television appearances included: VMAs, The Soul Train Music Awards, The Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony at Oslo, Jamaican and Trinidad Festivals, DTV Royal Albert Hall Show, Itunes Yahoo and Verizon Promotional Tours, Tyra Banks, Ellen, The View, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, Conan O’Brian, Oprah, Good Morning America, MTV Music Awards Japan, VH1 Superbowl Pepsi Smash and The CBS Early Show, Jay Leno, The View, Ellen, Custom Concert Oxygen Network, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan O’Brian, Oprah, MTV and Grammy Appearances in the US, Europe and MTV Africa, and the Vibe Festival with Common and Kayne. and an appearence with Sir Elton John for an AIDS Benefit.

Why did he leave?
Here's a msg from Swiss Chris that was posted through his MySpace page: "Hello my Dear Friends and Fans. After four successful years as John Legends Music Director and Drummer, I am now on my own pursuing my own personal goals. My departure was a mutual parting, leaving on good terms. Now I can proceed to expand and diversify my portfolio, and bring you all some of the heart of what Swiss Chris is all about to you, my fans and friends. Four years of dedicating myself to John Legend has made me stronger to reach for my next goals. So High was an achievement that brought me to a level I once dreamed of, and worked hard for. So High , as you know, reached multi platinum as well as several Grammy's that was attributed to that work among others. My solo career is now taking hold, and as most of you know, I am signed to a label out of Dubai as their producer and artist. My forthcoming album is a little behind schedule, but we do expect it to be released sometime in the spring. My solo career would not be possible without you, my friends and fans, and I owe alot to you all and will make it good. Much respect to all that have come to know and appreciate my work and I promise my first album will be worth the wait. I'm also involved with my non profit organization, SWISS, Saving With Instruments Samples and Soundz, whose mission is to heal and bring peace with music. I've just set up its infrastructure and have done several gigs, some for Aung Sun Su Kye, a Nobel Peace prize winner that has been locked up for spreading democracy, and performed on the EuroRock, Peace Full Sail world peace tours, a program we are partnered with and I've also done some work and teaching/drumming for children with disabilities, among many other gigs aimed at making the world a better place. I want to continue with this as well as produce, perform and tour. I want to bring my friends and fans music that makes you think, makes you want to do something in the world, and music that is pure entertainment as well as from a higher source, a higher power. Thank you all again, my blessings and my respect to each and every one of you! Peace and Light, Swiss Chris"

S.W.I.S.S.
SWISS - Saving With Instruments Samples And Soundz - is a non profit 501c3 founded by Swiss Chris to spread peace, joy and healing through and with music. Our mission consists of:
- Recognition of Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Motivational education through music and sound
- resolve conflicts through peaceful means with use of musical instruments
- multiple collaborations with various artists in various fields of music for multimedia performances
- educational workshops for beginner to advanced drum students in the history of African, African- American and cultures of African decent based music.

Swiss Chris Merchandise
You can buy Swiss Chris merch on this page.

Videos
• 'Number One' Performed at London's Royal Albert Hall
• Swiss Chris Solo dedicated to Freeing Aun San Suu Kyi
• Swiss Chris Solo dedicated to Freeing Aun San Suu Kyi
• Lessons from Swiss Chris' Upcoming Book "Sticking With Chris"
• Artist Relations - Swiss Chris with John Legend
• Swiss Chris & Dan Britt Drum Ed
• Imagenation Benefit at the Apollo in Harlem
• Live in New York

Links
• Swiss Chris' Official Website
• Swiss Chris' MySpace page

Gallery
Click on the thumbnail to see the image bigger.