Jazz drummer, composer, and ethnomusicologist Dana Hall is a specialist in soul music and black popular culture in America. He is keenly interested in seeking moments of musical and social encounter; musical, cultural, and structural connections; and the sociological, philosophical, and, ultimately, political significance of musics of the African Diaspora.



After completing his education in aerospace engineering at Iowa State University, Brooklyn, NY-born, Philadelphia, PA-raised drummer Dana Hall earned advanced degrees in music performance, composition, and arranging from William Paterson College and DePaul University, followed by his doctorate in ethnomusicology at the University of Chicago.



As a professional musician, Dana Hall's experiences have been global and far-reaching, including performances on six continents and extensive concert, club, and international festival performances throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. In addition to leading his own ensembles, and his membership in the Terell Stafford Quintet and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Professor Hall is an in-demand drummer, composer, and arranger for a number of artists.



The list of exceptional artists that Professor Hall has performed and recorded with includes Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Horace Silver, Ray Charles, Benny Golson, Bobby Hutcherson, Curtis Fuller, Joe Lovano, Jackie McLean, Jimmy Heath, Lester Bowie, Michael Brecker, Betty Carter, Maria Schneider, Joe Henderson, and the prestigious Grammy-nominated Carnegie Hall Jazz Band under the musical and artistic direction of trumpeter Jon Faddis.