Don McKenzie (musician)
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- For other persons named Don McKenzie, see Don McKenzie (disambiguation).
Don McKenzie (born June 28, 1974 in Brooklyn, New York) is a drummer known to many through his tenure with Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, in the band Masque. Reid the founder and leader of Masque has described its music as: “the place where rock, jazz, hip-hop and technology meet.” When asked for his views on McKenzie's drumming, Reid says "His sense of pocket is very firm. I've always been fortunate to work with great drummers, like Marlon Browden and Ronald Shannon Jackson and Will Calhoun. Don is right up there at that level." McKenzie has also played with multi-instrumentalist/composer/producer Elliott Sharp, who says that: “Don McKenzie not only has the hands to play deep-pocket hip-hop and rock grooves, hard-hitting and asymmetrical jazz flavors, a la Tony Williams, and light-fingered sonic abstractions; most importantly, he has the ears to turn his authoritative gestures into music.” Other artists McKenzie has played with includes Pharoahe Monch, New Kingdom, Sweetback, Martin Luther, Marc Ribot, The Persuaders, Mr. Complex, DJ Spinna, Cody Chestnutt, and jazz legend Roswell Rudd.
McKenzie’s first instrument was guitar, but at the age of six he switched to drums. McKenzie’s playing has a strong grounding in music theory and technique and for a period of time was a student of Everett Collins, who played with The Isley Brothers.
Keyboardist/singer Leon Gruenbaum, who has worked with Don on a number of projects (including his own Math Camp), notes that: “Don is a total powerhouse who can play in any style. He never overplays, instead allowing his extremely solid groove to provide a bed on which other musicians can feel completely comfortable to express themselves.” For the latest Vernon Reid and Masque album, Other True Self, McKenzie composed Kizzy, inspired by a close friend.
Endorsements by Tama Drums, Evans Drumheads, Pro-Mark Drumsticks, Orion Cymbals, Power Click Personal Monitors.
