Dean Koba has had the opportunity to work with many different musical artists such as: The Acoustic Jazz Quartet, Kei Akagi, Benny Bailey, Shelly Berg, Jeff Berlin, Bayou Brass Band, Carmen Bradford, Cecelia Coleman, Jeff Clayton, John Clayton, Bill Cunliffe, Dee Daniels, Jamie Findlay, Gary Foster, Roberta Gamborini, Fareed Haque, Tamir Hendalman, Larry Koonse, Christoph Luty Quintet, Bill Mays, Walter Norris, Makoto Ozone, Bob Sheppard, Greg Reitan, Bud Shank, and Dave Sills.



Dean Koba is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. His studies led him to Illinois where he earned his Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from Northwestern University. Dean received his Master’s Degree in Music at the University of Southern California (USC) where he was a graduate assistant in the Jazz studies department teaching jazz history and private drumset instruction. Dean studied privately with Jeff Hamilton, Joe Labarbera , and Greg Field.



Koba has lived in Europe several times studying abroad and performing in Italy, Denmark, and Germany. While in Hamburg, Germany, Dean performed for the musicals "Cats" and "Beehive". He also toured Europe with various jazz groups.



Dean Koba currently resides in Long Beach, California. He freelances in the greater Los Angeles area performing weekly with the Bayou Brass Band at Disneyland and also teaches percussion at Long Beach City College.



Dean Koba plays Gretsch Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Gibraltar hardware, Aquarian Drumheads, and Regal Tip sticks & brushes.