Daru Jones is one of the most respected drummers of his generation. The two-time Grammy-winning musician is known for his work on Lazaretto (Jack White) and Testimony (Gloria Gaynor), and his list of collaborators includes Bootsy Collins, Kanye West,, Pete Rock, Gloria Gaynor, Slum Village, Jamie Lidell, Talib Kweli, Dwight Yoakam, Nas, Pee Wee Ellis, Lorenzo Jovanotti, Queen Latifah, Black Milk, Salaam Remi, Pharoahe Monch, Rance Allen, Black Violin, Ski Beatz & The Sensei’s, and Jon B (partial list). Alongside these artists, Jones has graced the stages of some of the most revered events in the music industry, including: One Mic: Hip-Hop Culture Worldwide! A 20th anniversary celebration of Nas debut album Illmatic; the 2013 Grammy Awards, Austin City Limits music variety program; Rock The Bells music festival; and the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival.
Jones has been the “go-to-drummer” in hip-hop for over a decade. He has shared the stage with legends and emerging stars alike, including Black Moon, Smif N Wessun, Q-Tip, Mos Def, Raekwon, Curren$y, Pharoahe Monch, Jean Grae, Black Sheep, Digable Planets, Camp_Lo, Smoke Dza, Theophilus London and Large Professor.
Throughout the course of his career, Jones has received rave reviews from Rolling Stone Magazine, LA Weekly, Esquire.com, Fuse.tv, the Los Angeles Times, and USA Today (among countless others). He has also appeared on several national and international television programs including. He has also appeared on several national and international television programs: The David Letterman Show, Jools Holland (UK), The Colbert Report, Saturday Night Live, and on the iconic MTV.
Born to two professional musicians, he began playing the drums at the age of four. Though he got his start in the church, Jones has been influenced by musicians from a wide range of genres.
Jones is also a sought-after producer and boutique label owner who develops talent and releases music through his imprint, RUSIC RECORDS. The Brooklyn, NY and Nashville, TN-based producer/musician exhibits a unique approach to beat-making that incorporates live drum loops, jazz and gospel samples, and a soulful musicianship into all of his projects. Over the past decade, Jones has produced and released a catalog of projects he classifies as “soul-hop” featuring collaborations with vocalists and rappers: Kissey Asplund, Ishe', Jasiri X, Reggie B, Rena, AB, and Eagle Nebula, among others. In addition to these RUSIC projects, Jones has produced original and remixed tracks for recording artists including Muhsinah, iSHE, Jessie Boykins III and Kendra Ross.
Daru’s performance on “Lazaretto, ” the first single from Jack White’s second solo album of the same name, helped White earn a 2015 Grammy for Best Rock Performance.
After wrapping up the Blunderbuss and Lazaretto Tour with White, Jones recorded in late 2015 and toured the
globe in 2016-2017 with eclectic soulster, Jamie Lidell in support his release, “Building a Beginning.”
More recently, Jones formed a supergroup with legendary Living Colour bassist Doug Wimbish and guitar wunderkind Marcus Machado, DMD the Vibes. In 2018, Jones teamed up with hip-hop producerr, Pete Rock and serves as music director for his new live band, The Soul Brothers. Jones also recently joined forces
with Pharoahe Monch to co-found the rock-hop trio, Th1rt3en
Daru was also the featured drummer on Gloria Gaynor’s recent 2020 Grammy win for Best Roots Gospel Album. This critically acclaimed album is Gaynor’s first award in 40 years. Jones also played on Gaynor’s Grammy Nominated song “Something Bout Jesus” featuring Yolanda Adams.
