Dana Hall (musician)

Dana Hall
Dana Hall at the 2006 Chicago Jazz Festival
Background information
Born	(1969-03-13) March 13, 1969 (age 48) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres	Jazz Hard bop Post-bop Free jazz Soul jazz Jazz-funk Soul
Occupation(s)	Bandleader Composer Ethnomusicologist
Instruments	Drums Percussion
Years active	1992–present
Associated acts	Terell Stafford Jon Faddis Bobby Broom
Website	Official website

Dana Hall (born March 13, 1969) is an American jazz drummer, percussionist, composer, bandleader, and ethnomusicologist. After spending the first few years of his life in Brooklyn, New York (his birthplace), he relocated with his family to his mother’s hometown of Philadelphia. There, Hall was exposed to jazz and soul music at an early age through the recordings of his mother Diane, his uncle Earl Harris, and his large extended family. His family’s interest in creative music, and their “open door” policy toward the finest resident Philadelphia jazz musicians of the modern era also served to create the perfect environment to spark Hall’s curiosity, passion, and ultimately his career, in music.

At the age of 12, Hall moved from Philadelphia to Voorhees Township, New Jersey and began studying drums under renowned drum instructor and educator Vincent “Jim” Hurley at Voorhees Middle School, followed by study with award-winning educator and bassoonist Dennis MacMullin at Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees Township. Hall also began playing the oboe in high school, an instrument he continued to play throughout college. Another notable Eastern High alumna is Kelly Ripa.

Hall attended Iowa State University and double majored in aerospace engineering and percussion. At ISU, Hall cultivated his interest in music, studying marimba and vibes, timpani, hand percussion, and drumset under Professors John Harris and Michael Geary.