Hey folks, today we're really excited to bring you part one of our interview with the great

Dennis Chambers, but first I want to remind everybody who lives in Los Angeles to come on out

to our show tonight at the Steve Allen Theater. We've got Stella Mosgava from Warpaint,

Fred Armisen from the 8G band in Portlandia, and the legendary Clemberg of Blondie. It's all going down at the Steve Allen

Theater in Los Phyllis tonight, Wednesday, March 2nd at 8 p.m. See you there.

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This is Joe Wong. Welcome to the Trap Set, where each week we explore the lives of drummers.

I want to play something for you. You're hearing the nag by John Schofield featuring my guest Dennis Chambers on drums.

A native of Baltimore, Chambers displayed prodigious musical talent as a child and began performing

in clubs at age six.

Just after finishing high school in 1978, he joined Parliament Funkadelic at the height

of their powers.

After a seven-year stint with P-Funk,

Chambers turned his focus towards fusion. Over the subsequent 30 years, he's played with everyone

from Mike Stern to Santana. Aside from his work as a touring and recording musician, Chambers

released a series of extremely influential instructional videotapes

in the 80s and 90s. He showcased jaw-dropping techniques and unique grooves that have inspired

generations of drummers, especially those in the modern gospel and R&B scenes. Dennis recently

suffered a health scare that almost ended his life.

When we met at his hotel in Los Angeles, he was unusually talkative and open.

...