Poogie Bell Band

During his childhood Poogie would often stumble into the living room only to find his father jamming with the likes of Max Roach and the incomparable Ornette Coleman. Growing up in this environment it is not hard to understand why he chose to dedicate his life to music.

Poogie’s career took off when he began touring with hip-hop legend Afrika Bambaataa and later with the Force MD’s. In 1987 the Force MD’s had their first major success with the album “Touch and Go.” The album’s title track, which was co-written by Poogie and Victor Bailey, won the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Urban Music Writers award.

From there Poogie exploded into the R&B scene and spent the next 15 years collaborating with some of hip-hop and R&B’s heaviest hitters including Keith Sweat, SWV, New Edition and Erykah Badu.

In 2003 Poogie met a young musician by the name of Kevin Barefoot. Poogie had already made name for himself as a performer, producer and composer, working with everyone from Chaka Khan to David Bowie, but he had a new-found interest in the jam world. This was a world that Barefoot knew well. Two years later Poogie and Barefoot, joined by guitarist Juan Vasquez and keyboardist Howie Alexander came together and the Poogie Bell Band was born.

Poogie’s ferocious drumming combines with Barefoot’s jazz and hip-hop infused bass lines to create a rhythm section that solid to its core. Vasquez’s fast-paced and clever guitar solos are joined by Alexander’s relentlessly funky keyboard breakdowns and the result is nothing short of hip-shaking, head-bobbing fun.

Simply put, their unique “Funk Jazz Jam” blend is music you can groove to, think to, love to. With their debut album “Thinking Outside the Box” out now and ever growing fan base the Poogie Bell Band certainly seems to be here to stay.

Poogie Bell Nominated for a Grammy
Accomplished drummer Poogie Bell and his percussive prowess have been nominated for a Grammy for his performance on the international sensation Angelique Kidjo's 2007 album Djin Djin. The album is up for a Grammy in the “Best Contemporary World Music Album" category. Showcasing his musical versatility, Poogie compliments the Beninese singer well by serving up tight and percussive rhythms seasoned with a worldly flair.

Chances are, even if you have never heard of Poogie Bell, you're familiar with his work and music. The fact of the matter remains that the man behind the drum kit has laid down beats for a myriad of clientele that reads more like a “Who's Who" list in the music industry. Artists across the music spectrum such as Chaka Khan, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Roberta Flack, Erykah Badu, David Bowie, John Scofield, David Sanborn, Angelique Kidjo, Joe Sample, Al Jarreau, Vanessa Williams, Stanley Turrentine, Victor Wooten, and Randy Crawford, have relied on Poogie's unique syncopated rhythms and ultra-tight grooves as the backbone for many an album.

Armed with an impressive musical resume and an infectious beat, Poogie Bell pushes the boundaries of jam and funk into the stratosphere. Offering up toe tapping, head bobbing beats that will get you moving in the car or in the club, he commands the kit with a virtuosic prowess. Poogie's unique blend of jazz, funk, and soul creates a style all his own. On his band's latest release, Get On The Kit, Poogie and company push the boundaries of jam and funk into the stratosphere. In additional to Poogie's rhythms, fluid guitar arrangements, and thunderous bass lines, mixed with an uber-smooth brass and woodwind section and tasteful keys complete the recipe.