David Flores, a Bay Area drummer, began his musical journey at the ripe age of three, when he performed on a set of pots and pans in his family’s kitchen. David grew up steeped in music. As a child, he would tag along to his dad’s gigs and rehearsals; music was in his DNA. David’s first gig was in June of 1977 at the Bishop Elementary School kindergarten graduation. His father, Marty Flores, helped him load his gear into the classroom and cued up the groove on the record player. Since that day, David has continued to perform. Moving to the Bay Area in 1994 by way of Fresno and the Peninsula, David has contributed to the music scene alongside a multitude of musicians. These contributions have come in the form of Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, Rock, Soul, Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, Fusion, Reggae, and Rudimental styles.Since then, he has developed a 25+ year career as an educator, performer, and, above all, tireless student of his instrument. He now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Versatility is one of David’s great strengths and leading inspirations. From Afro-Caribbean to Funk to Jazz, if it’s rhythmically oriented, David Flores is among the best. His performance and studio careers include tours, gigs, and recordings with Donna Summer, Lauryn Hill, Paquito De Rivera, Zakir Hussain, Chester ‘CT’ Thompson, Larry Rosenthal, Margret Cho, Jerry Gonzales, Larry Harlow, Steve Turre, Charlie Musselwhite, Barbra Dane, Armando Peraza, Orestes Vilato, Pete Escovedo, Bobbi Céspedes, Ellen Toscano, Greg Landau, Mary Wilson, Rebecca Mauleon Santana, Mickey Hart, Melvin Seals, Marc Bamuthi-Joseph, Ska Cubano, Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, and The Oakland Symphony.
Here are some projects that are currently making noise in town, out-of-town, and overseas:
