[10/09/04)

Ivan A. Hampden, Jr.  You might not have heard this name, but surely you have heard his music.  Hamden, a Clayton resident, has played, recorded, produced and toured with the best of the best in the music industry.  His skills as a drummer have blessed him with a life full of travel; but for now, they have landed him at the Clayton Neighborhood Academy of Music located on Highway 42 West. 

Hampden's musical background projects the picture of what a perfect music instructor might look like.  As a child growing up in New York, Hampden was constantly influenced by the sounds of Harlem's musically diverse neighborhoods.  Hampden began playing the drums at age 8, and by 13 he was playing in local clubs in and around New York City.  Formal training for Hampden began in 1973 at the Jazz Mobile and continued to Mannes College of Music.  Hampden attended Bronx Community College in 1977 and Rutgers University in 1980.  In addition to receiving private lessons at the Metropolitan Opera and joining the orchestra for the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Hampden also taught drums and percussion at the Harlem School of the Arts and at Seaton Hall University. 

Hampden has worked with artists like Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, Joe, India Arie, Eric Benett, Michael MacDonald, Jennifer Lopez, Nile Rogers & Chic, Cosby Still & Nash, Chaka Khan, Denise Williams, Vanessa Williams, Beyonce Knowles, Diana Ross and many others.  In addition, Hampden has been Luther Vandross' drummer and co-writing partner for the pat 16 years. 

Today, Hampden still travels regularly to New York, L.A., and other various places around the world, but on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, he can be found at Neighborhood Academy of Music instructing students on how to hold drum sticks and the difference between an eighth note and a whole note. 

Hampden and his wife have five grown children (all who play drums), and enjoy living in Clayton.  They have lived in North Carolina since 2001 and have been in Clayton since 2002.  "Once you find some place that feels right, then you know that's where you want to stay," says Hampden.
 
--4042.com Reporter, Stephanie Lee

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