Poogie Bell, born in Pittsburgh in 1961, is an esteemed drummer, composer, arranger, and record producer. Bell hails from a musical family, with his father, Charles Bell, being a celebrated jazz pianist who graduated from the Carnegie Institute and led the Charles Bell Contemporary Jazz Quartet.
Poogie's musical journey began extraordinarily early, as he was found playing on a drum kit at just 10 months old after witnessing his father's band rehearsing. His formal concert debut was nothing short of remarkable, taking the stage with his father's band at Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh at the tender age of two and a half. By the age of eight, he had already made a television appearance on the Mike Douglas Show in 1966.
Throughout his illustrious career, Poogie Bell has collaborated with a plethora of acclaimed artists across various genres, including fusion jazz, neo-soul, R&B, and hip-hop. His impressive roster of collaborations includes:
Poogie's professional beginnings saw him working with figures such as Tom Brown, Weldon Irvine, and Hugh Masakela. He then toured with Afrika Bambaata and the Soulsonic Force, pioneers of hip-hop. Additionally, his R&B collaborations included artists such as Freddie Jackson, Phyllis Hyman, and Chaka Khan.
In 1987, Poogie Bell made significant strides in blending R&B and hip-hop through his collaboration with the Force MDs. He co-wrote and produced the title track of their successful album "Touch and Go," earning the ASCAP Urban Music Writers award for Top 10 Singles in 1998.
As a bandleader, Poogie Bell has released several albums with his group, the Poogie Bell Band. Their music is a fusion of funk, soul, blues, pop, and jazz. "Suga Top," a standout album, features 15 tracks that encapsulate the essence and versatility of Poogie's musical career.
Renowned for his exceptional groove and rhythmic style, Poogie Bell describes his approach, stating, "With the bass drum, I follow the quarter notes from the bass that I can usually only feel, to create a basis for the music. As soon as the link is created between bass drum and bass, you can use the left and right hand on the drum more variably."
Poogie Bell's career is a testament to his versatility and prowess as a drummer, making substantial contributions across various music genres and continuing to influence jazz, funk, and R&B.
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